3 Fun Ways Your Dog Can Enjoy The Sun

I am sure by now that you are all well aware of the dangers of the hot weather to our beloved dogs.  However, there are still plenty of ways that your dog can enjoy the warmer weather, while reducing the risk of them developing heatstroke.  We shall explore some ideas here;

Paddling Pools

Paddling pools can be a great way to let your dog have some fun outdoors, whilst keeping them cool at the same time. The hard plastic pools are a popular choice for many owners as they are a little bit more sturdy than the blow-up or pop-up pool options and they can also be easily cleaned out after use. Be sure to place the pool in a shady spot if possible for maximum effect.

You can use some toys which float as well as some that sink, to encourage your dog to retrieve them. You may also want to try dropping small pieces of food or treats in the water too, again some which sink and others that don't. You will get to know which ones your dog prefers!

Keep an eye on how much water they consume in the process though, as you certainly don't want to induce water intoxication. This is a serious, yet relatively rare condition, that causes confusion, lethargy, nausea, loss of co-ordination and usually bloating or swelling of the stomach. When your dog consumes excessive amounts of water, this lowers the levels of sodium in their bodies which is known as Hyponatremia. Left untreated, this has the potential to cause brain damage, so it is vital that you are able to recognise the early warning signs and can get your dog to a vet quickly.

Though this is a serious condition, the risk of it occurring is relatively low, provided you limit your dogs sessions in the pool, particularly if your dog is one to grab at the water and swallow a lot in the process. Most dogs are simply happy to have some cool water to play in!

Scatter Feeding

Scatter feeding is a great way to get your dog to slow down, which is particularly beneficial for those of us with higher energy dogs. When it is really warm weather, it may be unsafe to take your dog out for their usual walk at all, or they may have to wait for a shorter walk later on in the evening once it has cooled down. However, they will still require some much needed mental stimulation and there is no better way to do this than through getting them to sniff!

You do not require any specific equipment for this, just some of your dog's usual dried kibble, or some other tasty treats, is all you need to get started. Simply scatter them in long grass, around your garden, or even around a cooler area of the house and then encourage your dog to sniff them out. This not only gives their brains a work out, it also rewards them for finding their snacks by them getting to eat it. If you are working outside, try to scatter the treats in a shady area if possible, to encourage your dog to be in the cooler areas as much as possible.

Just a short session of this is likely to tire them out even more than their usual walk, which is ideal during hot weather! This is preferable to any high intensity exercise which has the ability to easily result in heatstroke if precautions are not taken.

Walk Locally

If you are usually one to get your dog in the car and drive to a location to walk them, then this should ideally be avoided in hot weather. Cars can quickly become unbearably hot on sunny days, especially for our furry canine friends. Even short car journeys can be hugely uncomfortable so unless they are absolutely essential, they should not be done.

That said, if you are going to walk your dog early in the morning, or later on in the evening once it it cooler, then why not try walking from your front door? Not only does this eliminate the need to use the car at all, it will take you and your dog on an adventure, maybe even to somewhere you have not explored before. With this brings new smells and sights for your dog, which is hugely enriching for them! Be sure to let them thoroughly explore their new surroundings and take it all in. Not only will this provide them with mental stimulation, it will also encourage them to move slowly instead of racing around, which again helps them to stay cooler.

Depending on where you live, you may be lucky enough to have easy access to shady wooded areas, or fields which are great alternatives to walking on pavements, which can become very hot and damage our dog's delicate pads. The rule of thumb is that if the ground is too hot for you to comfortably place your hand on, then it is likely going to be too hot to walk your dog on. If pavement walking is unavoidable, then try to walk early morning or at dusk when it will hopefully be cooler.

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