Keepin 'em COOL this summer

Several folks have asked us about cooling vests and bandanas for their dogs to use for hot weather activities. We have looked at several of the commercially made ones and just haven't found one that worked well. You can make a cooling bandana at home, using a soft, flexible freezer pack and a square bandana. Simply roll the frozen pack into the bandana, then tie it around your dogs neck so it hangs in front.  

Several major blood vessels go through the front of the neck, wearing the freezer pack in front cools most efficiently.  

Most dogs tolerate this and it really helps. The soft freezer packs come in a variety of sizes and will work for all sizes of dogs. Best of all you can put back up packs in your cooler and change them out as they thaw.  

Another danger for dogs is hot pavement.

If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot, it's too hot for your dog. The Metro Parks have a variety of walking paths available, from paved to gravel or wood chips. If your favorite park has blacktop paths do your walking early or late, avoid the hottest time of the day. Don't forget your dogs paws will benefit from Mushers Secret or a similar paw balm all year round. This helps avoid dry, cracked pads. Applying the balm every 2 or 3 days will help prevent drying and cracking.