We all love a bit of sunshine, but let's face it, sometimes it can get a little too hot to cope without an ice lolly and a paddling pool. It's so important to look out for your dogs, cats, and other pets, to make sure they're in on the summer fun and not in over-heating hell. So what can you do?

From frozen treats, to shady spots, to walking when it's cooler, there's lots you can do to help your four-legged friends enjoy the summer. Read on to learn our top tips for a chilled out time with your furry friends. 

Cold eats and frozen treats

We all love an ice cream, a cold meal, or a icy drink in the summer sun, so why wouldn't your pet? From regular meals to tasty treats, it's time to chill out. Here's some easy recipes for making pet-friendly ice lollies:

Simply blend the ingredients together, then freeze until solid using an ice lolly mould, or inside a paper cup. Use a carrot or a treat stick for the lolly stick, and you're in for a cool and delicious summer!

Lick mats are also a great way to keep food refreshingly cold without freezing solid, and help your furry bestie to enjoy their cold eats and stay cool for longer. Simply take your favourite Tilly & Ted meal (we recommend our Chicken with Turkey Loaf), and smush it into the lick mat shapes. Add some extras, if desired, into the other shapes, such as squashed blueberries and banana, or fresh chicken and tuna, before popping in the freezer for a few hours. The result is a chilled out and blissed out summer all round. 

Now that your pawesome pups and cool cats have enjoyed a cold treat, let's make them a chilled out hideaway.

Shady spots and cool mats

Even when you're not out in the sunshine, it can get pretty hot inside! Make sure your pets have cool spots in the house by closing the curtains in some rooms, clearing clutter to make cool hideaways, or opening doors and windows for a cool breeze. If your pet is constantly panting, lying stretched out, or seeming lethargic, take action and find/make a cool spot for your dogs and cats to chill out in immediately.

If you've tried all the above and your house is still like a walk-in oven, it's time to break out the big boys. Get some electric help from fans and air con units, to bring the temperature down and blow some cool air through all that fur. Cool mats are also a fantastic way to cool down hot pets without running up the electricity bill. These mats can be kept in the freezer or fridge, and then placed under beds or blankets so your pet can have a blissed out space that keeps their cool. Just make sure to chuck it back in the freezer again if those paws start to sweat. 

Thinking of taking a walk to cool down? Here's our advice:

When to walk?

Taking your hot dog for a cooling walk seems like a no-brainer, but remember that the ground has been sat under the summer sun all day. Always make sure to do a touch test on the pavement before walking your dog, to make sure they won't burn their paws. If you wouldn't walk on it barefoot, then don't make your pooch do it! 

We recommend early morning or late evening walks, when the sun is at its coolest, or driving to parks and grassy areas where the ground conducts less heat. You could even break out your fashion skills, and style your pup in a pair of booties to keep those paws perfect in the summer sun.

Now you've had some exercise in the sunshine, we reckon it's time for a break.

Give them some space

Is your pet getting hot and bothered? Everyone get can a little grumpy when they're just too hot, so don't take it personally if your dog or cat would rather hide away in the shade. It can get pretty exhausting under the summer sunshine, so you may notice your pet wants to play and cuddle less, and would rather spend more time on their own chilling out. 

Try your best to read your pets behaviour and give them attention when they ask for it it, and space when they need it. We all could do with a break in the summer, to cool down and catch up on some well deserved rest.

There's nothing to complete the summer break than a suave new haircut to show off. But how does this help beat the heat?

Time for a groom

As stylish as a long coat and flowing fringe can be in the sunshine, it can get pretty hot for pets under all that floof. Give your furry bestie a helping paw and treat them to a trip to the groomers this summer, to help them keep their cool and looking sharp. A simple trim can go a long way to helping your dogs and cats to feel that summer breeze and chill out.

You may also notice your four-legged friends shedding a lot more this time of year, so we always like to have a lint roller on hand to make things a little less hairy around the house. 

Make sure to keep hydrated in the sun and drink plenty of water...that goes for your pet too!

Create your hydration station

When the sun is shining bright, keep the water and fluids flowing so you and your cats and dogs can stay cool as a cucumber. Make sure you have multiple water bowls or stations throughout your house and garden, so your pets can grab a drink wherever they are. Perhaps even pop some ice cubes in their bowl to keep that water crisp and refreshing to beat the heat. Being extra vigilant with topping up and changing the water is always helpful this time of year, as flies love to go swimming and no-one wants a lukewarm drink.

Don't forget about hydration at feeding time either, as a lot of animals get important fluids from their food. Make sure your precious pets are eating well, and getting lots of nutrients and superfoods in their diet. If you're worried about your summer babies getting dehydrated, choose foods with better hydration value, like broths or sauces, such as our Parsley Selection in Sauce for kitties, or our Duck Terrine for pups.

Remember this summer, if you're too hot, your pets are too hot, so take some time to cool off together with a cold drink, a shady spot, and a chilled Tilly & Ted meal. We all love the sunshine, but make sure to take it easy and get the rest you and your furry besties deserve. Now that's hot.

Sources

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

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