Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Hydrated This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and with the warmer weeks ahead, it’s vital to keep your dog hydrated. Just like us humans, dogs need to keep cool and hydrated to support their health and wellbeing.

However, many dog owners underestimate just how quickly a dog can become dehydrated. This can lead to serious complications like heatstroke, anaemia and organ failure! So, it’s important we recognise the signs of dehydration and keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy this summer. Within this article, we discuss the signs of dehydration to look out for and reveal our handy top tips to keep your dog cool on hot days.

What are the signs your dog is dehydrated?

Dehydration is a condition that can affect anyone – even our beloved canine companions. If not treated, it can lead to serious health issues. So, how can we protect our dogs? The first step is by clearly being able to identify the signs that your dog is dehydrated:

• Excessive panting
• Sunken eyes
• Increased heart rate
• Lethargy and weakness
• A dry nose, mouth and gum (a healthy dog’s nose will feel cool and moist).
• Pale gums
• Sticky mucous membranes
• Slow and sluggish movement
• Dulled responses or slower mental activity

If your dog is showing any of these signs, especially those that are more severe, offer them plenty of water and contact your vet immediately. Your poor furry friend may need fluid therapy in order to restore dehydration.

Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Hydrated on your Dog-Friendly Holidays

When you embark on your dog-friendly summer holiday, you want to ensure that you keep your dog hydrated throughout.

1. Carry plenty of water around with you

When out and about on your many dog walking adventures, always take a portable water bowl or flask with you. Collapsible water bottles and bowls are super handy and ensures your pup always has access to water when they need it on your travels. Remember, it’s also important that your dog’s water bowl is clean to precent any bacteria or mould growing. After all, we wouldn’t want to drink out of something that has a green substance growing around it either!

2. Add water to your dog’s food

If your dog tends to not drink enough water, you can ensure they still get plenty by adding some to their food. So, whether your four-legged friend tends to stick to kibble or wet food, they can keep hydrated if they’re not drinking reliably. Of course, wet food already has more moisture compared to kibble, but a couple of tablespoons will just allow some extra moisture to enter your dog’s body during the warmer days.

Alternatively, if plain water doesn’t interest your dog, maybe try adding some tasty flavours to make it more exciting! Have you heard of Furr Boost? You can use it to encourage fussy pups to get the hydration they need.

Furr Boost is a 100% natural, supercharged smoothie you can add to your dog’s water or food bowl. This dog drink full of nutrition can also be frozen into a Pupsicle for a cooling summer dog treat! Plus, there’s lots of flavours to choose from so your dog will never get bored.

3. Purchase a cooling mat

When you’re on your dog-friendly holiday together, why not invest in a portable cooling mat? This way, no matter where you go, your furry companion will have a nice spot to cool off. Just think, after long walks in the countryside, you can stop by a beautiful dog-friendly pub garden to relax as your canine companion enjoys a snooze on a chilled pad. A fabulous way to keep your four-legged friend cool and refreshed in the summer months.

4. Use a cooling collar or coat

Another way to keep your dog cool in warmer weather is by using a cooling coat, harness, or collar/bandana. These clothing items can provide long-lasting cooling affects for your furry friend whilst you’re on your adventures. Cooling collars and coats are activated with water, and as the moisture evaporates, the heat from your dog’s body is drawn out so they cool down. Even though these items can be pricey, we do think they are worth it, especially if you have an active hound that needs lots of exercise!

5. Get Cooling Toys

If your canine companion loves going from place to place with a toy in their mouth, how about popping one in the freezer? Some dog toys, like chew toys, can be frozen for extra cooling enjoyment! Check out this Nylabone Moderate Chill & Dental Chew Toy. Furry friends love the bacon flavour and the fact they can chew to their heart’s content.

If your dog loves to play ball, Chuckit Hydrofreeze is a fantastic choice to keep four-legged friends cool and happy.

6. Keep to the shade and cool spaces

As much as you can, keep to the shade and cool spaces. Limit your time outdoors with your furry friend in peak heat hours. If you do go outside together, make sure you stick to the shaded areas and have a cooling mat on hand for your pup.

During hot weather, you should also monitor your dog’s activity levels and ensure they don’t overexert themselves. We recommend shortening the length of walks you do and take frequent breaks! Remember, the pavements may be hot and this can be painful for your dog’s paws. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it most definitely is too hot for your pup.

And of course, it goes without saying, never leave your dog in the car. If you are travelling in the car with your dog, take water and your dog’s bowl with you for the journey. Make sure to have plenty of air conditioning circulating, and roll down the windows if it doesn’t feel like enough.

Keeping your dog hydrated in the summer with PetsPyjamas

Summer is a time for (hopefully) lots of UK sunshine, adventure, and fun with our furry friends. As long as we know how to keep them safe and hydrated, and are aware of any warning signs, we can ensure our four-legged friends remain happy and healthy this summer.

If you’re still searching for your perfect dog-friendly UK holiday, we have tons of properties just for you. Whether it be a dog-friendly hotel or one of our pet-friendly holiday cottages, all will happily welcome you both through their doors. Head to our website today to secure your dream summer holiday!