Lord it’s hot in the Pacific NW lately and most people don’t have air conditioning in their homes, so we’re wilting a bit. Here are some ideas for keeping your pets cool.
First, water, water, water. Don’t underestimate how much fresh water your pets need in the heat. Provide water in the yard, in your house, and when you take your dog out.
Inside:
- Let them have access to a bathtub, shower, tile floor, or basement to lie on.
- Keep the air moving with fans and ventilation. Placing a styrofoam cooler filled with ice in front of a fan can help cool things off.
- Maybe try putting some ice in the water dish.
For dogs:
- If you don’t have enough good shade in your yard, stick a beach umbrella in the ground to provide more. You can get smaller, less expensive ones at Costco, Target, etc. Your dog will need more than a tiny little patch of shade.
- Get a plastic kiddy pool. (Unfortunately for us, Saffron is still very cautious about hers and won’t lie down in it. She will get in it for treats. Silly girl!)
- An elevated bed will provide air circulation to keep your dog cooler.
Breezy Bed (this one has an awning for protection from sun & rain)
- Cooling beds filled with gel or water will help a hot dog.
- Cooling jackets work either by water evaporation or reflection.
- There are also cooling collars and bandannas.
- Try some frozen treats. You can stuff a Kong with peanut butter, cheese whiz, even broth. You can also freeze broth or water in a plastic container—stick some treats in it before you freeze it to keep your dog interested.