When the sun comes out and the weather gets warmer, we naturally want iced lattes, light clothes, and the coolness of air conditioning. But the heat is bad for our dogs’ health as well as being uncomfortable for them. People can sweat through their skin, but dogs can’t. Instead, they use their sweat glands in their paw pads and panting to keep their body temperature in check.

It’s our job to keep our furry friends safe, hydrated, and well-cared for when the summer heat hits. One of the best ways to do this is to make your own frozen treats that are full of vitamins and minerals. These snacks not only cool them down, but they also keep their minds busy and their bodies hydrated.

This full guide will teach you how to take care of your dog in the summer and give you some simple recipes for frozen treats that will keep their tails wagging all summer long.

It is very likely that dogs will get heatstroke, especially if they are older, overweight, or have thick coats and flat faces like Pugs or Bulldogs.
Here are some safety tips for the summer that you should know:
• The Rule of Five Seconds: Before you take your dog for a walk, put your hand on the ground. You need to wait five seconds before you can hold your dog there.
• Timing is Key: You should only walk in the early morning or late evening when the ground is cooler and the sun isn’t as bright.
• Water Stations: Put some water bowls in the house and yard and fill them up with cool water every now and then.

How to Make Ice Cream at Home

A lot of store-bought dog treats have preservatives, fake colors, and “filler” ingredients that don’t do much for the dog’s health. You know exactly what goes into your pet’s body when you make treats at home. When it comes to summer treats, you should pay attention to two things: how moist they are and how many antioxidants they have.
These are some of the best recipes you can make yourself to keep your dog cool.
1. Watermelon popsicles
In summer, watermelon is the best fruit to eat. It has about 92% water in it, so it’s a great way for dogs to stay hydrated if they don’t drink enough from their bowls. It also has a lot of vitamins A, B6, and C in it.
1. Pick a watermelon that is fresh and ready to eat.
2. Take out all the seeds, even the white ones, and the green skin. This is a very important step. These can make it hard for your body to digest food or block your intestines.
3. Cut the fruit into small cubes that are easy to chew.
4. Put them on a baking sheet that has parchment paper on it.
5. Freeze it for two to four hours, or until it is hard.
These popsicles are low in calories and naturally sweet, so they’re a good treat for dogs that need to lose weight.

2. “Nice Cream” made with yogurt and berry cream
A yogurt-based snack is a great way to give your dog probiotics, which are good for their gut health. This is a great choice if your dog likes different textures. Adding berries to this snack makes it a superfood with a lot of antioxidants.

How to do it:

1. Get a cup of plain Greek yogurt that doesn’t have any sugar in it. Check to see if it has Xylitol in it. This is a bad sweetener for dogs.
2. Add a handful of mashed blueberries or strawberries that are still fresh.
3. Stir the ingredients together until they are smooth. If you want some crunch, you can leave some fruit pieces in.
4. Put the mixture into the silicone molds. It looks more like bones or paws when it’s more fun!
5. Put in the freezer until solid.

Slushies that taste great and are more than just the basics

Sometimes your dog doesn’t want a hard treat. A “doggy slushie” is a fun way to cool off their food and change how they feel at the same time.

3. Watermelon and mint slushies

Not just people who drink mojitos like mint. Adding a little fresh peppermint or spearmint to a dog’s food can help their breath and stomach smell better. When you mix it with watermelon, it makes a fancy summer drink.

How to:

1. Combine two cups of seedless watermelon chunks with two or three fresh mint leaves.
2. Add some water or coconut water (make sure it’s 100% pure and has no sugar in it).
3. Put it in a bowl that isn’t too deep or in an ice cube tray.
4. Put it in the freezer until it is “slushy” or halfway frozen.
5. Use a spoon to take it out and put it in their bowl.

Things to think about: Things to avoid

We want to take good care of our pets, but not all summer foods that are safe for people are also safe for pets. You should never use these things when you make your own recipes:
• Xylitol (Birch Sugar): This is a common ingredient in “sugar-free” peanut butters and yogurts. Dogs should not eat it.
• Grapes and raisins: These can make your kidneys stop working.
• Don’t ever put chocolate or coffee in pet treats.
• Lactose Sensitivity: Some dogs can eat yogurt, but others can’t because they can’t break down lactose. Instead of yogurt, give your dog mashed bananas or pureed pumpkin if they have an upset stomach.

Taking care of and cleaning in the summer

In the summer, what you eat is just as important as how you take care of your body. The dog’s thick, matted coat keeps heat close to the skin, which makes it harder for the dog to cool down. You shouldn’t shave a double-coated dog like a Husky or Golden Retriever all the way down to the skin. Their fur keeps them cool and protects them from getting sunburned.

It’s very important to cut the hair on the paw pads and trim them often. Getting help from a pro can make a big difference if you live in a place that gets really hot. If you live in the UAE, you can ask the Mobile Pet Grooming Dubai pet groomer how to keep your dogs and other pets cool in the summer. They can give you special “cool-down” washes and show you how to keep your coat from getting too hot.
Summer is a time to have fun and make memories.

These health tips and treats are good for you and your partner. One of the best things ever is seeing a happy dog eat a frozen treat after a day of playing. These small things show our pets that we care about them.

How to Give New Treats:

• Start Small: Give your dog a small piece first to make sure they don’t have a bad reaction or trouble digesting it.
• Watch: Always keep an eye on your dog while they eat frozen treats so they don’t choke on big pieces.
• Clean Up: Frozen treats can be messy! It’s usually best to serve these outside or on a floor that is easy to clean.