Tail Mail's ultimate summer survival guide
Keep your pets cool and entertained on the hottest of days.
Forget the summer solstice. Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer in my mind, even if my only plans are to visit the farmers market, eat so much fruit, and stay inside1 to catch up on some reading.
My dogs, however, are tapping my shoulder to remind me that they do not want to do the same. Alas, we’ve been navigating a heat wave here in LA and I’ve been experimenting with how best to keep them physically and mentally stimulated without both of us getting heat stroke. For me, that’s looked like limited time outside in the shade and lots of indoor play, even in my tiny apartment.
Luckily, there are smarter and more seasoned dog and cat people I know who have figured out the best tools and tricks to keeping their pets cool and entertained in the heat. Read on for Tail Mail’s summer survival guide.
Safety first
As much as they love playing outdoors, dogs can get heat stroke. Common causes include excessive exercise in hot weather, being left in a hot car, or too much time out in a yard without enough shade and water.
Indoor cats can also get heat stroke if they’re in a room without enough ventilation or cool air, such as a sunroom.
Signs to look out for include excessive panting, drooling, disorientation, dark gums, vomiting, and diarrhea. Please go to the vet immediately if you think your dog or cat is experiencing heat stroke, as it is a medical emergency.
In the meantime, work on cooling down your pet’s body temperature. The VCA recommends using wet cloths with cool (not cold) water on your dog or cat’s head, stomach, armpits, and feet. If you don’t have cloths, you can pour the water directly onto those spots. Use a fan to make sure there is plenty of air flow and keep your pet in the shade.
For dog parents, also keep in mind that asphalt retains heat and can be hotter than the outside air temperature, which poses a risk for burns and blisters on paw pads. Save your long walks for early in the morning and late at night; for unavoidable mid-day outings, limit time outside, stick to the shade, and have your dog walk on grass or dirt whenever possible.
🔥 Air Temperature vs. Asphalt Temperature
Air Temp Asphalt Temp
77°F (25°C) ~125°F (51.7°C)
86°F (30°C) ~135°F (57.2°C)
87°F (31°C) ~143°F (61.7°C)If your pet does injure their paw pads, remember to avoid ice. Use cool water to flush their paws and gently clean the area with a chlorhexidine solution. Contact your vet for further care instructions.
Now, onto the fun stuff!
Frozen treats
Mo Kim (@girlandrescue), a dog trainer and all-around great animal guardian who regularly watches my pups, gets creative with frozen treats or meals for the dogs under her care on hot days. After a hike or during the hottest hours of the day when humans and pets need to stay inside, Mo told me she likes to use a pre-prepared lick mat or freezable treat toy with frozen layers of food to keep her pets cool and busy. She’ll prep her treats like this:
Base layer: Kibble/freeze dried + broth/water or raw food
Second layer: Yogurt with single ingredient treats
Third layer: A small layer of peanut butter and blueberries
Top: A trachea or duck neck
She recommends freezing these treats in layers; you can use as many or as few layers as you’d like, depending on if you’re feeding a full meal or just making a treat. If you don’t have a lick mat or want to stick with what you already own, Mo says these treats can still be made and frozen in your dog’s regular food bowl.
Another option is to make special ice cubes with yogurt, broth, or pet-safe fruit (like blueberries) and water to add to their regular food. You can add these ice cubes to hydrate and cool down your pet’s meals.
Pro tip: If you don’t have a dishwasher, Mo says to look for lick mats and bowls without the added shapes, as those are harder to clean up.
LickiMat UFO Slow Feeder Dog Bowl, LickiMat Wobble Slow Feeder Bowl
Frozen “pup cups” from BiBimPaws (the rainbow sherbet flavor is also safe for cats)
Indoor activities
Sometimes, the safest thing to do is just stay inside and wait out the heat. So how do you keep an active pup from getting antsy?
Tricia Ritter Carvajal (@carvajal.crew), the head of West Coast operations at Beezy’s Rescue, says her doggie treadmill has been a “game changer” in helping keep her pack stimulated and fulfilled at home. Treadmills provide both physical and mental exercise, as dogs need to remain focused to stay balanced and match their stride with the treadmill’s pace.
Start off slow and make sure you properly introduce the treadmill to your pup so they have a positive association with the machine. Your pups don’t need to be outright running; slow walking on the treadmill is a fantastic training exercise!
Snuffle mats, puzzles, and other nose work games are also great for tiring out your dogs and cats without having to step foot outside. Just sprinkle some of your pet’s favorite treats or dry food into one of these toys and let them go to town.
Pro tip: Mo Kim says she reuses cardboard boxes her deliveries come in as a makeshift toy. Stuff the box with packing paper, cardboard toilet paper rolls, and any other recyclables you may have lying around to give your pet a challenge as they look for the treats or dry food you’ve sprinkled inside.
Outward Hound Dog Brick Treat Puzzle Enrichment Toy, Level 2
Outward Hound Dog Twister Treat Puzzle Enrichment Toy, Level 3
Nocciola Tangerine Interactive Dog Toy (best for small- to medium-sized dogs)
Outdoor gear
My dog Gemma loves a doggie pool. I can’t tell you how exciting it was to watch her actually play in it for the first time, as she and my neighbor’s dog Pickle thought it was just a large water bowl for the longest time.
Foldable doggie pools are great if you have limited outdoor space and don’t want to use a ton of water. Just get one large enough for your dog to stand in. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, there are tons of floatable dog toys on the market.
For other outdoor activities, Hillary Rosen, the president of A Purposeful Rescue, likes using cooling pads and a portable misting fan. On hikes, she recommends putting cooling clothing on your dog and bringing a hydration pack.
As a special spa treatment when you get home after a hot day, you can try this neat trick from APR’s Miranda Gooding: Use an ice roller—the same kind people use on their face for depuffing—on your dog’s belly, face, and ears to help them cool down. Her dog Amelia gives it a 10/10. (Just remember not to use ice for treating burns or heat stroke.)
Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments. If you liked this guide, please share it with any dog or cat parents in your life.
Tail Mail may receive a small commission for items purchased through the links provided here, but I also encourage you to shop at your local pet store. I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in this guide.