5 Cheap and Easy Tips to Help Your Dog Stay Cool

Coooo-ee tiger, it is hot! When a heatwave hits - like it is doing as I write this blog - it's taps aff, head to the beach and soak up those rays. We always take our dogs when we can, but there are times when we have to make do with what we have at home.

So if you are at home on a scorching day, here are 5 easy, cheap and effective ways you can ensure doggo stays nice and cool.

1. Pea Water

Please don't skip ahead here, as I"m afraid there may be the danger of misunderstanding what I mean by pea water.

​Frozen peas can be a good way to cool your dog's drinking water down, whilst also supplying them with a nice healthy treat! (Dogs with kidney problems shouldn't be fed peas - check with your vet first if in doubt). 

Just pour a few frozen peas into the bowl and voila, instant chilled pea water. The peas do tend to sink, but are still perfectly edible (by your dog - don't be disgusting. Put them in their dinnerbowl).

​There's also no problem with putting ice in your dog's water. There was, some time ago, a big hooha about this, with many claiming it can make your dog ill. It has been proven time and time and time andtime again that there's no danger in giving your dogs icy water, but as ever they should be monitored to make sure they aren't over-drinking or drinking too quickly. 

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2. Wet Towels

This is as simple as it gets. 

1) Get towel
2) Get cold water
3) Combine and apply to dog

Do keep an eye on them though. the towels will need regular re-soaking as otherwise a layer of steam can form inbetween your dogs fur and the towel, heating them up and losing all the goodness from this activity.

And remember you can use anything - old t-shirts, bandanas, bedsheets - anything you don't mind getting wet!

3. Paddling Pool

We bought a cheap as chips paddling pool like this one recently, although you might have one in the attic or shed, used once then forgotten about!

We got so we could fill it with balls and throw in dog food to give them an activity whilst eating - it slows them down, and adds a bit of fun!

However with the sun out, it converts to its original usage as a pool quite easily. We filled it up to its recommended level and encouraged the dogs in by throwing kibble on the water. This went down very well! What dog doesn't love a splish splash with added food?

​The good thing about getting a cheap one is that if pooch has a particularly shard claw and bursts it, you're not too badly out of pocket. 

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4. Hose Pipe Fun

A quick Google reveals all the fun dogs have chasing, biting and jumping at hose water, and it's a great way to keep them active but cool in summer months. Some dogs can be nervous, so use your judgement as to whether to continue or not. 

Just let the water stream flow and the dogs leap to catch it - try not to blast your dog in the face with a jet stream, though. That's not going to end well.

5. Frozen Banana Yoghurt Natural Treats

This is one our pups love.

Slice up a banana in the posh chef-y way, that is, at a slight angle to get oval-shaped slices, and not just straight down into circles.

​Pop them onto a tray lined with baking parchment and stick in the freezer for a couple of hours. They'll come out solid and you can feed them to your dog like this. However, for a delicious twist, pop some natural yoghurt on top to make the pups feel like they are at a Tapas bar.

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And Finally...

Remember the basics for keeping your dog cool. Overheating and sunstroke are very real dangers and can quickly kill a dog:

Don't leave your dog in the car in this heat, even for a minute, and even if your windows are down. If there's no breeze, the car will soon turn into an oven. 

Keep a cool breeze running through your home if possible. Open windows at opposite sides of your building to ensure airflow.

Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, and always have water available for you and your dogs on your walks.

Don't cover your dog crates with anything heavy - in fact, as you can see from the pic, crates make great doorstops to let the air through when not in use! This is especially handy if you don't have a stairgate in the house, and want to leave your doors open for a breeze.

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And if all else fails, a dog laying by the back door is surely a happy dog!