OMG. It. Is. So. Freaking. HOT!
I’ll tell you a little secret about me, I absolutely love it hot. I mostly work outside and this is my favorite time of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I do love to go home to my air-conditioned house but summer is where it’s at.
Hydration is key during the summer months. Your Mofo is no different.
What can I do to keep my dog well hydrated?
🐾 Get Up Early. I get up early and do most of my dog walking and hard-core exercising (like fetch or agility training) during the cooler morning air.
🐾 Keep Water on Hand! At least one of my mofos goes to work with me each day. I always travel with plenty of water for myself and my dogs. I went so far as to get one of those fancy stainless steel gallon water jugs for my Mofos so they could drink cool water all day.
🐾 Eat at the Right Time. I exercise my dogs way before I feed them breakfast. I wait till everybody has stopped panting and their respiration has returned to normal before I feed them.
🐾Cereal for Everyone! I add water to my mofos kibble when it’s really hot outside. This ensures they get enough water to stay hydrated. Think of it like breakfast cereal for your dogs.
🐾Don't forget the Potty. With all this extra liquid, your mofo is going to need to #pottyoutside! Expect it about 15-20 minutes after you feed them their cereal. I am easily distracted with all of the things that I have to get done so I set a timer on my phone. (If you are having any trouble with #pottyoutside put your dog in a crate so they gain control by holding it. Again be sure to set a timer so you don’t forget your mofo. Sign up for my free Free Potty Training Workshop to learn more.)
How do I know My Dog is Getting Enough Water?
Simple signs of dehydration include:
- Dry nose
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Dry or sticky gums
- Loss of skin elasticity
My favorite way to test for dehydration is the skin test. Grab the scruff of your dog's neck and pull it up. Then let it go. Phritz is a little slow to bounce back. He could use a drink!
- Quick Bounce Back. All Good! Your dog is not dehydrated.
- Slow to Return to Normal. Your dog is dehydrated. Provide water right away.
- Nape Does a Triangle and is very slow to go back to normal. Provide water right away. Consider taking your dog to the vet for fluids because are very dehydrated. Better safe than sorry.