How to Keep Your Dog Cool and Hydrated in Summer

For many of us, summer means getting outdoors. But summer is hot. And heat not only affects us but our dogs as well. Follow these six tips to help keep your dog cool and hydrated during the dog days of summer:

Help prevent dehydration by making sure your dog always has access to fresh water. You may not notice your dog drinking water very often, but that's all the more reason for it to be there when they do decide it's time to stop for a drink.

Moving water tends to feel colder, and that makes it extra appealing to dogs. An automatic water fountain is a great tool for keeping your dog hydrated, and many have built-in filters to help keep water clean and fresh.

Another way to encourage your dog to drink is to place multiple wide water dishes in areas of your home where your dog hangs out.

Fresh, frozen or wet food can help deliver a little extra hydration to your pet’s daily meals. Layer fresh, frozen or wet dog food on top of their kibble (you may need to adjust their kibble amount so you don’t accidentally add more calories) or consider switching to a fresh or frozen meal option entirely.

If you’re not ready to fully switch your pet’s nutrition, toppers like broths and gravies can easily be poured on top of your dog’s meals for extra moisture and added nutrients. If your dog leaves their bowl for too long, pick it up and replace it when they’re ready to resume eating to avoid bacteria growth.

Help your dog keep cool in warm weather by adopting a good grooming routine. While regular grooming is always essential, brushing away old hair in summer (often peak shedding time) is like taking off your dog's sweater. A clean, sleek pooch will feel refreshed on a summer day.

With the bright summer sun heating up both the air and walking surfaces, adjust the time of day that you walk or move to cooler surfaces like grass or a dirt trail. Always bring fresh water for your furry friend—even on short walks! On extremely hot days, just keep your best friend inside with the AC (or a cool fan) and plenty of fresh water.

As an extra precaution, keep their tender pads covered with paw protection.

Keeping Your Dog Safe, Cool and Hydrated at the Beach

The most important things to bring to any beach outing are fresh drinking water, a travel bowl and a shady spot to rest. Get those three basics right, and your dog can enjoy the water and the sunshine without the risks that come with a hot summer day.

Fresh Water and Shade Come First

Before your dog takes a single step on the sand, set up a base camp with:

• Fresh drinking water — bring more than you think you'll need; dogs pant to cool down and lose moisture quickly in the heat
• A travel bowl — collapsible styles tuck easily into a beach bag
• Shade — a beach umbrella, a pop-up canopy or a natural shady spot under a pier or tree all work well for longer outings

If you're only staying briefly, keep moving and head home as soon as your dog shows signs of tiredness or overheating. A shaded rest stop is always the better call over pushing on.

Why Ocean and Pool Water Are Off-Limits for Drinking

Once shade and fresh water are sorted, it's worth knowing why the water already surrounding you isn't a substitute:

Keep your dog's travel bowl filled and within easy reach so he isn't tempted to lap from the surf or the pool.

Don't Forget Sunscreen — Especially for Light-Colored Dogs

Hot sand and concrete can be taxing on paws, but sun exposure is a concern from nose to tail as well. Whenever your dog is spending time outdoors in direct sun, apply a pet-safe sunscreen to his ears, nose and any area with bare skin or thin fur. This step is especially important for white-furred or light-coated dogs, whose skin has less natural pigment protection. — consult your veterinarian about which pet-safe sunscreen formula is right for your dog's coat type and skin sensitivity.

Quick tip: Reapply sunscreen after your dog comes out of the water, just as you would for yourself.

Running around the yard is more fun with the occasional doggie dip to cool down. A kiddie, or pet, pool is a great, low-maintenance option, especially if your dog isn't much of a swimmer.

How do you and your pet enjoy summer together? Share your photos with us on social media by tagging @Petco.

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.