Our beloved pets need some extra TLC during the warmest, most sweltering days specially when summer comes around, because if you think it’s rough on us, it’s even harder on our furred four-legged friends.
Here’s some great ways to help keep them safe and comfortable during the warmer seasons.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so make sure they always have fresh, cool water to drink and a shady spot to escape the heat.
Eat Right
Nutrition is especially important in the warm weather months when your pet’s appetite may decrease some due to the hot weather. Consider supplementing their diet with a multivitamin which may help protect their bodies and help support their immune systems during the hot months.** Vitamins may also help your pet’s body better deal with the environmental stress.
Dogs Need Supplements, Too!
Still concerned about their eating habits? Consider pet probiotics. Probiotics help to support proper digestion by providing “good” natural bacteria. Probiotics also helps promote both intestinal and oral health, which is super important during the time of year when pups are prone to panting, and doggy breath becomes even more unwanted!** Cats can benefit from better digestion as well.
Protect Those Paws and Skin
Be wary of hot asphalt which can burn delicate paw pads. Cracked paws can be soothed at night by applying some extra virgin coconut oil – which is also great for healthy coats if your pet should like to lick it off.** A little can be added to their food year round to keep coats in tip top shape!** It’s important to add an Omega 3 supplement to your dog’s diet as many of these foods are not part of their typical routine. We have just the thing! PipingRock Omega-3 for Dogs is sourced from some of the finest Omega-3 Fish Oil ingredients such as anchovy, mackerel, sardine with added natural lemon oil for better absorption.
Leaving Them in the Car? Don’t Even Think About It!
Most importantly – never ever leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. Know the warning signs of overheating, like difficulty breathing, weakness and collapse. Some breeds, like Pugs and Persian cats, have an especially hard time in the summer. Talk with your vet to learn the warning signs of heatstroke.
Treats to Escape the Heat
These homemade dog and cat treats are sure to get their tail wagging all year round!
Pupcicles
Ingredients
- 2 cups peanut butter, homemade or store-bought (make sure it does not contain xylitol!)
- 3 oz. soft dog treats (our pups love these freeze-dried chicken treats!)
- 1 banana, mashed
- Water, as needed.
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and freeze in plastic cups or small kitchen containers with lids. For our dogs, we usually fill plastic cups with about 1 inch of mixture, but you can use larger or smaller amounts depending on the size of your dog.
- Be creative if you want! Place the mixture on wax paper, cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and freeze.
- No matter how you choose to make your treats, freeze them overnight. Pop them out of their containers as needed and serve to your furry friend.
Catcicles
Ingredients
- 5.5 oz. can of wet cat food (the smoother the better)
- Several soft cat treats (our kitties love these freeze-dried salmon treats!), broken into small bits.
- 1/8 per serving L-Lysine For Cats Powder
Instructions
- Mix the wet food, treats, and L-Lysine Powder in a small bowl.
- Fill mini plastic cups (or mini muffin tins!) with about 1/2 inch of mixture.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer to freeze overnight.
- Pop out the "catcicles" as needed and serve to your frisky feline in a deep bowl.
Want even easier?
Freeze some treats in low sodium chicken broth in small containers overnight, then serve them to your dogs. Please note: some of our dogs become expert hockey players with the frozen pucks, so you may want to serve these outside. Most dogs enjoy licking their way to just about anything—toys, treats, or even pet vitamins for those who have picky eaters. Try freezing a pet toy half in water and serve outside in a shady spot to keep your pet cool and entertained during a cookout!
We hope these tips were helpful!
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