Best Summer Activities for Dogs to Beat the Heat

Ideas for Keeping Dogs Cool in Summer

They don’t call it the dog days of summer for nothing! Sure, this phrase may have more astronomical roots, but there’s no denying we’re coming up on some astronomically hot days. That means more than just planning dog friendly summer activities—you’ll want to keep an eye on summer safety for dogs and signs of heat stroke in dogs, too! But with the right mix of fresh thoughts on summer fun for dogs and knowing how to cool down a dog, you and your pup will be ready for plenty of healthy fun in the hot, hot sun.

Fun in the Sun: 5 Outdoor Activities for Dogs

1. Take a Dip – Cool your dog down with a swim in a local lake, river or dog friendly water park. If you’re up for an extra adventure, try paddleboarding with a dog!

2. Splash It Up – You can also keep your dog cool in summer—in your own backyard! Bring out the puppy pool, haul out the hose or have a splash in the sprinkler.

3. Have a Lick – Summer fun for dogs can be even more fun with a cool, refreshing treat like a homemade puppy popsicle. Take a pup-sicle break with the tasty recipe below.

4. Seek Some Shade – Some summer activities for dogs are best (and safest) in the shade instead. Lounge by the pool or take a hike on a shady dirt trail to enjoy the great outdoors and keep dogs cool outside.

5. Make It a Night Out – Shift your walk to a cooler evening (or early morning) stroll to get in some exercise without as much risk of heat stroke in dogs, and/or look for a dog friendly event like an outdoor concert or movie night for a fun night out on the town.

One Cool Dog Treat Recipe: Puppy Popsicles!

If your pup’s hankering to have a lick, these homemade pup-sicles are perfect for keeping dogs cool in summer! Better yet, they’re made with simple, nutritious ingredients like frozen fruit, plain Greek yogurt and swirled with creamy peanut butter. This is one of the tastiest possible dog friendly summer activities—so keep a batch frozen in your freezer for all of those hot days ahead.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 3 hours

Servings: Makes 8 puppy popsicles

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 cups frozen berries (a blend of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (avoid using flavored or sweetened yogurt, which contains excess added sugar and may contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs)
• 1 ½ cup water
• 8 tsp creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup Wellness^® Bowl Boosters^® Functional Toppers (crafted with wholesome grains and freeze-dried meats, fruits and vegetables to add flavor and texture to your dog’s meals, as well as important nutrients)

Directions:

1. Blend together frozen banana, frozen berries, Greek yogurt and water until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, filling about 3/4 full.
3. Sprinkle in about a tablespoon of Wellness^® Bowl Boosters^® Functional Toppers into each popsicle mold.
4. Spoon a dollop of peanut butter into each popsicle mold.
5. Use a butter knife to swirl the Bowl Boosters^® and peanut butter around in each popsicle.
6. Add the popsicle sticks or stick-shaped treats.
7. Freeze for a minimum of 3 hours, until the popsicles are frozen through.
8. Hold the popsicle for your dog to lick—and enjoy!

You can also easily customize this pup-sicle recipe to your dog’s favorite flavor preferences and mix it up for a little variety by adding crumbled dog treats like Wellness^® Old Mother Hubbard^® Wholesome Indulgences Treats in place of the Wellness^® Bowl Boosters^® Functional Toppers.

Stay Cool, Stay Healthy: Summer Dog Care Tips

No matter what kind of outdoor activities for dogs you and your four-legged friend find yourselves getting into this summer, these 3 tips for keeping dogs cool in summer can help ensure summer safety for dogs during all that fun in the sun.

Tip #1:

Plan your fun summer activities for dogs to be outside at cooler times of day. Think first or last thing in the day, rather than the heat of midday.

Tip #2:

Whether at home or on the go, always make sure your pup has access to plenty of water. Dehydration and dogs don’t mix well or make for a fun summer day! But you know what is fun? The added bonus of ice cubes in their water bowl!

Tip #3:

Keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke in dogs and be sure to take frequent breaks indoors to keep the fun going while also keeping your dog cool.

For additional tips on beating the heat, check out this post on keeping your pet comfortable and safe in the summer months.

We hope you can make your dog’s day with these dog friendly summer activities—while staying cool and healthy during these hottest days of the year!