August is typically the hottest month of the year, known as 'the dog days of summer', so keeping your dogs cool and hydrated is extremely important.
Here are some suggestions and tips on how to keep your dog hydrated and cool during the hottest time of the year:
1. Provide More Water Bowls.
Your dog may not drink enough water if there’s just one water bowl in your home. You should keep a bowl outside, though you’ll have to remove outdoor debris daily. You can also keep water bowls in your living room, bedroom, and anywhere else your dog hangs out.
2. Get A Doggy Drinking Fountain
Some dogs prefer standing water, others are tempted to drink from bubbling fountains. Drinking fountains contain filters that remove any taste or odor that may be preventing your dog from drinking enough.
3. Make A Doggy Smoothie
If you love making smoothies in the morning, you can make a little extra to share with your dog. Just make sure not to add any sugar, or other ingredients that are not safe for dogs. Dogs are typically lactose intolerant, but may be able to handle a small amount of yogurt; the probiotics are excellent for digestion. Green, leafy veggies like kale and spinach provide vitamins K, C and E, plus protein and calcium. Sweet fruits like strawberries, blueberries and apples are all good for dogs. Smoothies should be given in moderation, about 1 tablespoon per 5 pounds of body weight.
4. Add Water Or Broth To Your Dog’s Food
You can add water or broth to any type dog food: kibble, canned, or even homemade and commercial raw. You can also soak kibble in water and keep it in your fridge for up to three days.
5. Make Doggy Ice Pops
Some dogs aren’t interested in water, but love licking ice cubes. You can make iced treats by freezing blocks of water, or even mixing in a smoothie, low-sodium broth or other flavor additives before freezing. A silicone ice tray can make perfectly portioned ice treats.
6. Wash Water Bowls Daily
Some dogs will drink out of mud puddles, while others will avoid a slight murky bowl. Others are sensitive to the sound of their tags clanging on the stainless steel or ceramic.
7. Get A Bigger Dog Bowl
Your dog’s water bowl should be larger than their food bowl. It should be large enough to hold much more water than they typically drink each day, so it’s never empty. Instead of filling a dry bowl, you should be dumping it out and refilling it.
8. Offer Water From Your Hand
After a run at the park or beach, you might have trouble getting your dog to drink water, even if they’re panting and look like they could really use a drink. If they’re refusing to drink out of their travel bowl, your dog might lap up a small amount of water from your cupped hand.
9. Bobbing For Treats In Water
Add 1 - 2 inches of water to a small tub or kids pool and drop in Cheerios (they float) or hot dogs or other treats (they sink). Your dog will get their feet wet and drink water as they are eating the treats, which will cool them down and hydrate them at the same time! Only do this for a few minutes with a few treats, so they don't consume too much water!!
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