Which food helps to cool your dog down?

Not only the summer season brings along a lot of fun, tropical fruit, beautiful long days, ice cream and pool parties, but it also brings days that are sometimes too hot to handle.

Enjoying summer is great, of course, but have you ever noticed that your diet and appetite changes a bit? The same thing actually happens to your pet too. Apart from giving them plenty of water and keeping them indoors, the hot weather can be hard on your little fur ball as well. It's great that there are other ways you can help your pet beat the heat.

First, read these basic tips you can use for your dog’s diet in the warmer months:

1) Consider serving up lighter, fresher meals in summer – just like us, dogs tend to eat less in warmer months. Or, if the dog eats the dry food only, try to give them less.

2) You can add some wet food, or broth, to dog's meals to increase the water intake and stimulate their appetite.

3) Don’t leave your dog’s meal out for too long – hot temperatures can spoil the food very quickly.

4) Include some fresh, raw, and cooling foods to your dog’s meal (listed below).

5) Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times – they’ll need a lot more water in summertime. The water can be cool, but not ice cold, so it doesn't upset the dog's stomach and doesn't create a shock for the dog's system.

6) Change up mealtimes to the cooler times of day – early morning and night rather than a big meal in the middle of the day.

7) Place your dog’s food in a cool or shady spot – indoors ideally.

Foods good for dogs in summer:

Watermelons
Watermelons are 90% water and hence they make an ideal summer food for all pets. They are super hydrating, packed with potassium and vitamins like B6, A and C. REMEMBER - remove all the seeds before letting your pet eat it. Watermelon seeds, actually any kind of seeds in fruits, can cause intestinal blockage and hence can be harmful for pets.

Cucumbers
Cucumbers contain vitamins like B1, B7, C and K along with copper, magnesium and potassium. This is the perfect snack for your pet during the summer. The carbohydrates content and sugar level in cucumbers is very low and that makes it guilt-free and a healthy snack.

Coconut Water
It’s a well known fact that coconut water is the most refreshing drink for the summer, but did you know that your pet can enjoy it too? Coconut water is completely safe for your pets, it is full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium and Vitamin C and helps with a cooling effect on your pet and serve as a great source of hydration too! If your pet is unwell, you can dilute the coconut water with 25% of water to make it easier for your pet to drink.

Yogurt and buttermilk
Buttermilk and yogurt are a must-have for the hot season. The cool bacteria (metaphorically and literally) solve a lot of problems related to heat. The lactic acid bacteria present in yogurt and buttermilk are beneficial for your pet’s gastrointestinal system. It is also a natural probiotic and keeps the gut healthy and safe. BUT, check it does not contain any sugar, or artificial sweeteners.

Mangoes
Although it might be hard to share your beloved mangoes, do let your pet enjoy a little of this seasonal and mouth watering fruit too. Ripened mangoes minus their seed and outer peel are completely a-okay for your fur babies. Mangoes are rich in vitamins like A, B6, C, E, antioxidants, flavonoids and fiber.

Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in nutrition and loved by most pets. Blueberries are high in fiber and vitamin C, and low in fat, low calories and sugar too, plus they also help in increasing antioxidants in the blood. 

Strawberry-Banana ice cream for dogs

If you’d like to enjoy something frozen together with your dog, you should definitely try this summer fruit recipe!