Much like their human companions, our dogs just want to enjoy the sunshine all summer long—but spiking temperatures can create hazards like dangerously hot pavement and sunburns. To help your dog thrive during the hot months, we’ve rounded up some products they’ll need to beat the heat.
1. Dog Booties; $29
During summer, you’ll want to protect your dog’s paws from making direct contact with the scorching-hot ground. According to The Spruce Pets, pavement temperatures can be anywhere from 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature, so when it’s 77°F outside, the pavement will feel like it’s 125°F. That temperature alone can burn your dog’s paws in as little as 60 seconds—and that’s far from the hottest it gets during the summer. So if your pup will let you, slip his paws into these four-star-rated booties—which are waterproof, have a reflective lining, and use split seams to make them easier to put on—before going on walks.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax; $15
If your dog isn’t into the whole booties thing, Paw Wax is a good alternative: Simply slather a bit of this wax on the pads of your pupper’s feet to create a barrier between them and wherever they’re walking. (Remember, if it’s too hot to comfortably keep your hand on the pavement for about five seconds, you should still keep your dog’s paws off it.)
Buy it: Amazon
3. Freezable Dog Bowl; $20
After a long day in the sun, you’ll want to cool your pooch off with a refreshing bowl of water. This bowl is specifically designed to stay in the freezer all day, so when you take it out, it will keep the water inside even colder for up to eight hours.
Buy it: Amazon
4. RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest; $60
For the outdoorsy dog, a cooling vest is a must-have item, and all this model from RUFFWEAR requires is some water. According to the manufacturer, once you soak the vest and wring it out, the outer layer goes to work by reflecting the sun’s rays and the evaporative cooling helps pull heat from the dog’s torso. Reviewers say the vest retains moisture and remains cool for around two hours after one soaking. All you have to do is make sure your dog is strapped in comfortably, and they should be ready to go.
Buy it: Amazon
5. Nylabone Puppy Chew Freezer Dog Bone; $9
This Nylabone helps young teethers release their energy while also cooling off. Simply place this toy in water and freeze it; the cold, peanut butter-flavored bone will be a welcome respite from the heat.
Buy it: Amazon
6. Portable Dog Water Bottle; $16
This portable water bottle is uniquely designed for any dog that loves to be on the move. It features a screw-on lid that doubles as a bowl—all you have to do is fill the bottle with water, turn it upside down, and release the lock to fill it up. It holds 19 ounces of water, so your dog will be set for any adventure you go on. And when you’re done, just click the lock back into place and throw it in your bag without worrying about spillage.
Buy it: Amazon
7. Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets; $18
Dogs can get sunburns and skin cancer from UV rays just like us, so you’ll want to make sure they’re protected whenever they spend long periods of time outdoors. The Epi-Pet Sun Protection Spray was developed by veterinarians with dogs in mind, and it’s especially helpful for breeds with lighter skin and fur. The 4.5-star-rated spray is equivalent to 30 or 40 SPF sunscreens for humans. Just spray it on your pups and work it down onto their skin with a brush (it’s particularly useful on their exposed bellies). Even though the spray is sweat- and water-resistant, you’ll still want to reapply every two to four hours.
Buy it: Amazon
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