So many dogs love to swim! Swimming is the perfect way to let your dog cool down on a hot summer day or a fun way to get some exercise. If you want to introduce your furry friend to the water, read on for 5 …
Whether you work in the food industry or just enjoy trying new foods, a food inspired dog name may be perfect for your new furry friend. From breakfasts to desserts there are plenty of delicious foods that double as adorable dog names. Today I’m sharing …
Summer is right around the corner which means it’s going to be hot. While some dogs may thrive in the warm weather, many dogs can become uncomfortable and suffer in the summer heat. If you’re worried about your furry friend overheating, follow these 6 tips to keep your dog cool in the summer.
Keep Them Indoors
This one is obvious, but one of the best tips to keep your dog cool in the summer is to keep them indoors! Try to take your daily walks early in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun is not at its highest point. Don’t lock Fido outdoors during the warmest parts of the day. If you don’t want to spend hours in the heat, they probably don’t either. If you begin to notice signs of heat exhaustion, bring your pup inside.
Stay Hydrated
When your dog is outside this summer, make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water. Keep bowls of water outside with your pup and constantly refill them to keep the water clean and cool. Consider adding ice to the water to keep it cooler longer. You can even add frozen fruit for an added treat.
Buy a Pool
We all know the best activity for staying cool in the summer is swimming. Buy a kiddie pool or a sprinkler for your dog to play in during the warmer months! Most dogs will have a blast swimming and splashing around in the water.
You can also bring your dog on day trips to a lake or ocean. Always watch your dog closely when they’re swimming and consider purchasing a life jacket to keep them safe.
Make Frozen Treats
Nothing’s better than an ice cream cone or frozen popsicle on a hot summer day. Make some canine friendly frozen treats to keep your dog cool this summer. There are plenty of simple ways to make doggy ice cream or frozen pawpsicles!
Purchase an Elevated Bed
Dogs absorb heat through their stomachs, so laying on hot pavement or grass is sure to make them hotter. Purchase an elevated dog bed to keep them off the warm ground. This is a perfect solution for those pups who love to sunbathe despite the 100 degree weather.
Don’t Cut Their Coat
It’s a common misconception that dogs benefit from a “summer cut”. This is false! Dogs coats are designed to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This is especially important to know if you own a double coated dog. Shaving your Siberian Husky will do more harm than good.
It’s also important to note that dogs fur is there to prevent them from getting a sunburn. If your groomer advises against shaving your pup, do not do it!
Have you ever heard someone tell you to check your peanut butter or yogurt for xylitol before feeding it to your dog? Xylitol is a sugar substitute that can be found in candy, chocolate, gum, and other sweetened products. While it’s completely safe for human …
Whether it’s an overnight stay during a road trip or a week long vacation, staying in a hotel with your pup can be stressful. You never know how your dog may react to new surroundings and there are plenty of situations that could go wrong …
With so many different kibbles on the market, it can be challenging to decide which is best for our furry friends. While kibble is convenient, the truth is, even the highest quality kibble lacks fresh, whole foods that dogs need for a healthy diet. By adding “human” foods to your dogs kibble, you provide them with vitamins and minerals that they wouldn’t otherwise get. Today I’m sharing 12 of the best foods you should add to your dogs kibble.
Protein
Protein is the most important part of a dogs diet, and unfortunately, kibble doesn’t provide enough of it. Add some fresh meat to your dogs diet to ensure they’re getting an adequate amount of protein.
1. Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs have the perfect amount of fat and cartilage to nourish your dogs bones and keep them healthy. The mono-unsaturated fat in chicken thighs help aid in weight loss, reduce cholesterol, and can even prevent canine cancer.
2. Salmon
Fish is a great protein to add to your dogs kibble. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which support the immune system and keep your dogs coat shiny. Salmon is a great protein for dogs who summer with seasonal allergies because of the boost it gives to their immune system.
3. Organ Meats
Organ meats such as the heart, liver, and kidney are great options to add protein to your dogs diet. Animal organs are rich in vitamins and minerals that kibble lacks. To feed organ meat to your dog you can boil it, dehydrate it, or even feed it raw.
Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and fiber that kibble doesn’t provide. By mixing them into your dogs kibble you give them an additional boost of nutrients that they wouldn’t get otherwise.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries have a high antioxidant content and as a result the prevent the risk of heart diseases for dogs. They’re also rich in vitamin C and fiber, which are good for dogs as well.
5. Banana
Banana’s are so high in fiber that an excess can cause health issues for dogs. However, in moderation, the fiber content in bananas can be beneficial for a dogs digestive tract. Banana’s are a great fruit to add to your dogs kibble if they are experiencing constipation.
6. Spinach
Like bananas, spinach is high in fiber and can help with canine bowel movements. Spinach also contains vitamins A, C, E, B, and F. Before adding spinach to your dogs kibble, make sure it is well chopped to prevent choking.
7. Carrot
Carrots have antioxidant properties, and are purifying and easily digestible. They also act as a natural toothbrush. Chewing on a large carrot will strengthen dogs teeth and remove plaque buildup.
Fats
Healthy fats are an important part of a dogs diet, just as they are for humans. Healthy fats can help pups that suffer from itchy skin or who need to gain a little bit of weight.
8. Fish Oil
Fish oil is recommended for dogs who suffer from severe allergies. It supports hearts, joints, coats, skin and immune systems because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Adding fish oil to your dogs diet will allow them to live a healthier life in the long run.
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often recommended by holistic vets as a supplement to add to dogs kibble. It is known to fight off viruses, reduce coughing, make dogs coats shiny, and eliminate dog odor. If you think coconut oil could be beneficial for your pup, check with their vet to get a correct dosage and type.
Other
The list of foods you should add to your dogs kibble does not end there. There are tons of “human” foods that have major benefits for our furry friends.
11. Eggs
Eggs provide iron, fatty acids, protein, and more benefits that your dogs don’t get with kibble alone. You can feed your dog cooked eggs or raw. Make sure that if you cook them, you use a low fat cooking spray. You can also give your dog the crushed egg shell for extra calcium. To feed your dog an egg shell, grind it up and sprinkle it over their kibble.
12. Yogurt
Plain, unsweetened yogurt is safe for dogs to eat. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also acts as a probiotic that can help aid dogs digestive systems. Look for a yogurt that has a ton of live cultures, such as plain greek yogurt. This is better for dogs than regular yogurt because it has lower levels of lactose.
Always check with your dogs vet before adding foods to their diet. Keep in mind that every dog is different and what may work for one will not work for another. Additionally, dogs can experience food allergies. Monitor your dog closely after adding a new food to their diet.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
“Shake” is a fairly simple, and common, trick to teach your pup. It’s a classic trick that’s sure to amuse kids, friends, and family. Today I’m sharing 5 simple steps that will easily explain how to teach your dog “shake”. Before teaching your dog how …
Summer is the perfect opportunity to explore new places and go on adventures. Every summer I like to make a bucket list full of activities I want to do while the weather is warm and the days are long. This summer, I created a bucket …
What is better than an ice cold popsicle on a warm summer afternoon? Growing up I loved coming inside from a long day of playing and cooling down with a frozen treat. Now, you can recreate that joy with your pup! Spoil your furry friend this summer with these super simple, two ingredient frozen dog treats.
Ingredients
These are by far the easiest frozen dog treats you will ever make because you only need two ingredients! To make these treats you will need:
Water
Frozen Berries
That’s it!
I used a bag of frozen mixed berries that I picked up from Costco. The bag includes blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries which are all great for your pup!
Benefits of Berries in Dogs
Berries offer as many health benefits for our dogs as they do for us.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a low calorie fruit that offer vitamins and minerals that are important to a dogs diet. They’re full of antioxidants that boost the canine immune system.
Blueberries can even help fight off canine cancer! The vitamin C content in blueberries offers significant health benefits to our furry friends.
Blackberries
Blackberries have omega-3 fatty acids that keep your dogs skin and coat healthy. They also contain fiber that helps aid dogs digestion.
Blackberries are full of vitamin A, C, and E, all of which help improve dog health.
Raspberries
Like blackberries, raspberries are an excellent source of fiber for dogs. The fiber content in these berries can help fight canine obesity and improve their digestion. Raspberries are full of antioxidants that can reduce the possibly of heart disease and arthritis.
Raspberries are a low calorie fruit, so they can be fed to your pup guilt free!
How to Make the Frozen Dog Treats
To make these two ingredient frozen dog treats, you’ll need to purchase silicone molds. You can find these online in so many cute shapes. I bought paw print and bone molds on Amazon.
An ice cube tray can also be used instead of a silicone mold.
Simply place your berries inside your mold however you see fit. You can do one type of berry per treat, or mix it up with a variety.
Once your molds are filled with berries, fill a measuring cup with cool water and pour it over your berries. Fill each mold to the brim.
Then, place the molds in the freezer for a couple hours or over night.
Final Product
Once your treats are completely frozen, pop them out of the mold and serve them to your pet! These are great to keep your dog cold on a hot summer day.
For some extra fun, plop a few treats into a pool or bucket of water and let your dog search the water for the treats!
Two Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats
Frozen dog treats using two simple ingredients to keep your dog cool all summer long
Are you and your family planning a summer road trip this year? Road trips are a great way to bring your pup on vacation with you. It’s much easier to road trip with a dog than fly with one. However, road tripping with your furry …
