How to help your pooch keep their cool this summer
The beaches are busy, the days are getting longer and Sunday sundowners are back in full force, but while it’s time for us to start enjoying the staples of Australian summer, the hotter months aren’t always fun and games for our furry pals. It may be the season of riverside walkies, but the warmer weather can take quite the toll without the right steps to protect our pooches, so here are a few essential tips to prepare your four-legged friend for the hotter temperatures.
Brush up on your pampering skills
As the weather heats up in the summer months, it’s natural for our furry friends to shed a little more than usual to lighten their coats. While a regular pamper session is a great way to help this process, a number of pet-friendly organisations warn against going overboard on the grooming front. Contrary to popular belief, our doggos’ coats actually play an important role in cooling our fur-friends down in summer and protecting them from the sun’s rays, so while regular trims may be in order, steer away from shaving their furry layers altogether!
Stylish water stations
Just like people in the warmer weather, staying hydrated should be a quintessential part of your pooch’s routine in the summer months. Setting out extra sources of water in different places around the house will encourage your doggo to drink between play, and there’s no reason you can’t get a little stylish in the way you do it! Built-in dog bowls are a great way to incorporate dog-friendly decor into your home without adding clutter, and they also make sense on a practical level by providing a shaded area to keep your pooch’s water cool during the hotter days.
Pay attention to paws
It’s not just your pooch’s coat and skin you need to take extra care of during the Australian summer. If you’re walking your doggo in peak heat, you could also be causing some serious damage to those delicate paws. As a rule of thumb - if the pavement is too hot for your hands, it’s going to be too hot for your pup’s feet, so consider walking your fur-friend at cooler times such as the early mornings and evenings. Walking your pooch in grassy areas or taking a trip to your local beach with water nearby could help them keep their cool - plus it gives you a chance to enjoy the scenic route along the way!
Shady spaces
Our doggos don’t regulate heat in the same way as humans during summer, so shady spaces are a must when it comes to keeping your pooch’s temperature in check. If your pup is prone to adventuring outdoors, make sure there’s plenty of room available for them to stretch out in shaded areas, and if it’s super scorching, you might want to keep them inside until the weather cools down. If you’ve got the space, installing a small doggy dipping pool in the shade is a great way to help your pooch cool off after a stint in the sun, providing you’re prepared for a few extra splashes!
Use fur-friendly sunscreen
You won’t get through an Australian summer without hearing the term ‘slip, slop, slap’, and this essential step for summer protection doesn’t just apply to us people. As cute as they may be, our doggo’s snouts can be equally as susceptible to summer rays, so making sure you protect your pooch’s sniffer (and any exposed skin) is super important. There are plenty of natural, pet-friendly alternatives out there designed especially for doggos, so there’s no excuse when It comes to taking those extra precautions!
A bed that breathes
With outdoor play, doggy dips and riverside walks becoming the new norm, it’s inevitable that your pooch is going to be exposed to a few seasonal elements during summer. And as a space where your pup spends lots of their time, all of this can take quite the toll on your pup’s sleeping quarters! Finding a dog bed that’s breathable, durable and adverse to those less favourable summer smells will help your pooch stay comfortable during the warmer nights, not to mention protecting your much-loved interiors in the process!
About Pooky & Boo
Pooky & Boo is a modern dog accessories brand based in Perth, Western Australia. Our homewares are inspired by contemporary trends in pattern, texture and home decor, and of course - a love for our furry friends!
To browse our latest range of designer dogwares, visit our online boutique.