As dog owners, we all want our furry friends to be comfortable and healthy. But the summertime heat, especially in Arizona, can pose dangers to humans and dogs alike. This article will share some great tips and activities for keeping your canine companion cool and comfortable in the intense desert climate. Heatstroke is a real danger for dogs during the summertime. You really want to keep your dogs cool is a vital part of responsible dog ownership.
Arizona has some of the hottest temperatures on record in the US, with Lake Havasu City reaching 122 degrees Fahrenheit back in 1994, and Phoenix regularly topping out around 115 degrees every year. Clearly, this is too hot for humans and dogs alike! To keep dogs cool in these intense temperatures can be as simple as keeping them inside in the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day, and taking them out for their daily walks and exercise either in the early morning or in the evening when the sun is not directly overhead. Remember, you will either need your own dog pooper scooper or arrange for pet waste removal no matter what time of year if your dog has his own yard he or she spends time in.
It seems obvious, but being in the shade rather than direct sunlight can reduce the feeling of the air’s ambient temperature by as much as 15 degrees. If your pooch is outside during the day, make sure they have access to a shady part of the yard. Something as simple as a fence, tree, or awning blocking direct sunlight can be the difference between life and death for your pet.
Keeping your dog cool in the summertime heat
Clean, fresh water is vital for any dog, at any time of year. But in the summer heat, a few ice cubes in the water bowl can help keep dogs cool. In my personal experience, some dogs are amazed by and will play with the ice cubes, or “crunchy water treats” as my dog and I like to call them. Coldwater helps to lower your dog’s core body temperature on these sunny summer days.
Dogs do not have sweat glands all over their body as we do. They mostly use their tongue, ears, and paws to transfer body heat to their environment. They can’t benefit from evaporative cooling like we humans can unless their coat is wet. Lots of dogs are fascinated by lawn sprinklers and love to play in them. Swimming in a pool, river, or lake is another option for some dogs. Although a wet dog might make a mess, a wet dog is a happy dog in my experience and important to keep your dog cool on hot summer days.
There is a multitude of products on the market designed to help keep your dog cool in the summer heat. From evaporative vests and bandannas to a dog pooper scooper, to doggie ice cream, let’s review a list of available products to improve your dog’s comfort and well-being in the scorching Arizona heat.
Elevated Dog Bed
This elevated dog bed allows airflow all-around your dog’s body, helping keep him or her cool in warmer temperatures.
Cooling Dog Bandana
A bandanna for your dog made of special microfiber material that absorbs water and cools as it evaporates. Simply soak in water, put it in the fridge for 10 or 20 minutes, and put on your dog for all-day relief from the heat.
Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Vest
Simply soak it in water, wring it out, and place it on your dog. The light color reflects solar radiation, the evaporating water provides cooling, and the reflective strips make your dog visible to traffic.
Puppy Scoops Ice Cream Mix for Dogs
This dog ice cream mix is specially formulated to help with canine digestion. A frozen treat your dog can enjoy during the summer months is a great and fun way to help keep your puppy pal cool. Available in goat’s or cow’s milk and a multitude of flavors.
Arm & Hammer Swivel & Rake Doggy Pooper Scooper
This product will allow you to keep your dog’s waste off your lawn in a sanitary fashion to prevent the spread of intestinal parasites. Alternatively, you could hire our professionals to provide regular pet waste removal for you, no matter what time of year.
As a dog owner, you probably already know the importance of never leaving a dog in a hot car. Even just a few minutes can have temperatures inside a vehicle skyrocketing to 120+ degrees, and cause permanent organ damage or even death. Always have cool, fresh water available to your dog at all times. Hydration is paramount to preventing heatstroke or heat exhaustion, for dogs and humans alike. Additionally, coprophagia (eating fecal matter) can spread parasites or cause a number of other health problems in dogs. It’s vitally important to either keep your yard free of dog waste with a dog pooper scooper or hire a company for pet waste removal.
