FUN IN THE SUN

The sun and high temperatures can be dangerous but it also brings a lot of fun activities we can do with our dogs, as long as it is done safely. Before going out during high temperatures, please read my "hot weather" blog so you are fully aware of the risks and how to prevent them.

Beaches/Lakes

The summer is the best time to visit beaches and lakes and can be great fun for your dog too. Swimming is a great way for them to cool down on hot days. There are a few things you need to be aware of before taking your dog to the beach.

Make sure it is a dog friendly beach.
Be sure to find or make shade on the beach with a parasol or beach umbrella so you can escape the sun
Bring a towel blanket for your dog to lie on, the sand gets hot!
Watch your dog careful in the water to make sure they aren’t struggling.
Dogs will often swallow water without realising, make sure the water is clean before going in and take plenty of drinking water for your dog.
Avoid water with strong currents or tides
Not all dogs like swimming, don’t force them to go into the water.

-With the current coronavirus pandemic it is important that we don’t crowd the beaches and that we stay 2 meters apart from others. Try to go at times you think it won’t be busy but if it is, go home and try again another day. You have to stay safe too!

Water Play

If you can’t get to the beach you can still play in the garden. Fill up a paddling pool for your dog to play and splash about in, some dogs may just enjoy lying in the water. You can play with your dog and splash in the pool together.

You can buy hose attachments that spray up in different directions that a lot of dogs love to chase and try to catch the water. It’s great fun and helps them cool off as well.

When playing with your dog, even when playing with water, be aware of the sun and the heat. Avoid playing at peak temperatures and make sure to take breaks and let your dogs relax. Some dogs will take themselves away when they are tired but others will keep going until you stop the game. It’s really important, especially in summer, that you make your dog take breaks.

Dog Ice Lollies

Don’t you love a nice cold ice lolly on a hot day? Your dog will too! It’s super easy to make an ice lolly for your dog.

The first thing you will need is a container. You could use lolly moulds, ice cube trays, plastic cups or yogurt pots. Make sure it is an appropriate size for your dog and it can go in the freezer. You may want to a hard dog chew to help you get the treat out the container later, you could also use a lollipop stick just make sure the dog doesn't eat that part as well.

A really simple lolly you can make is to soak some of your dogs dry food in hot water. This will make it very soft and mushy and the water will take some of the flavor to make a runny ‘gravy’. Once the food is soft scoop and press it down into the container so it is nicely packed in and pour some of the ‘gravy’ over it. Put it in the freezer until solid.

- You could use a stock cube to make a small amount of gravy instead of the water from the soaked biscuits, but be sure to use a low salt stock for your dog.

There are a lot of variations of lollies you can make for your dog.

Carrots, apples. Peas. sweet potatoes etc can all be chopped, blended and put in the freezer for a healthy fruit and veg lolly.

Tuna would make a great treat for your dog (or cat!), pour the tuna and brine into the container with a bit more water, mix together and freezer until ready.

Peanut butter is a great frozen treat. Add it to other lolly recipes or fill a kong and freeze that.

Ice lollies are a great treat for your dog but, with any treat, shouldn’t be given too often and should be given alongside a healthy diet.