Skip and Daisy having fun on the beach! Follow these fun-loving pups here: @skipp.the.doggo and @daisypaszkowski.
Fun Summer Activities for Your Pet
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian,
Summer has well and truly arrived on our Australian shores. The sun is out, the temperature is high, and days are longer than any other time of year!
But as fun as it can be, Australia's hottest season can be a harsh one. From tropical storms to dangerous UV levels and that relentless blazing hot sun, Summer can pose plenty of risks. So it's important to make sure that your Summertime activities are fun; and will also keep your pet safe.
Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and fun ways to keep your pet occupied, happy, healthy, and cool all Summer long. From water toys to indoor games, read my guide below!
Skip to a Section:
1. Water Fun
2. Icy Treats
3. Indoor Games
1. Splish, Splash!
If you don't have a pool at home, chances are you probably live not too far from a dog-friendly beach, lake, or creek. If you're part of the 80% of Australians that live within close proximity to the coast, why not take your pup to a dog-friendly beach and let them have a splash?
Most dogs love a bit of a swim, particularly on a hot day, and many will play fun water games like fetch. Make it extra fun with a floating fetch toy that your dog can fetch in the water or on land!
TOP TIP: Why not try a Doggy Pool? Clam-type plastic kiddy pools are very popular but can be a little small - if you have a larger dog, we suggest a made-for-dogs product like the AFP Chill-Out Dog Pool (pictured). This product is easy to assemble, durable, and built to withstand doggy nails. It's also easy to fold up and store away when it's not in use!
Follow @dysfunctionalcanines on Instagram.
Top floating water fetch toys
Extra Tips for Swimming Your Dog
- Life jackets for dogs? If you're worried about your dog's swimming ability, you might like to try a doggy life jacket to help keep them safely buoyant in the water. This can really help decrease stress for them.
- Clean their ears afterwards - Dry and clean your dog's ears after a swim, if they have floppy ears (such as Cavaliers or Cocker Spaniels), or are prone to ear infections (such as Pugs, Poodles, or Poodle mixes). We recommend cleaning with a good ear cleaner such as Epi Otic.
- A Gentle Shampoo for Regular Bathing - If swimming your dog regularly, particularly in a sandy or muddy environment, you may need to bathe them regularly. Many shampoos can dry your dog's skin out if you use them too regularly, so I recommend a gentle, moisturising shampoo such as Aloveen or Episoothe.
2. Homemade Ice Treats
Why not make some yummy frozen treats for your pet? Both cats and dogs love to lick at tasty ice treats. There are so many different ways to do this, and you can really get creative! Plus, making some pet ice treats might make a perfect activity to keep your kids occupied during the hot summer holidays!
DID YOU KNOW?
Eating ice is incredibly effective at cooling your dog's body temperature - far more so than for humans. This is due to the physiology of your dog's tongue and the roll it plays in thermoregulation. To cool themselves, dogs don't sweat; they pant. Panting involves more than just heavy breathing - the blood vessels in the tongue dilate and the tongue becomes enlarged and swollen with greater surface area. Excess moisture is produced on the tongue, too. Combined with rapid breathing, air is pulled over the surface of the wet tongue, cooling the blood in the vessels, which then distributes to the entire body.
There are plenty of fun ways to make frozen treats for your pets - you can purchase ice moulds to create a 'pet icey pole', freezable toys, or you can make your own (see our video below for tips on how to do this!).
Top Freezable Pet Products
Check out more pet tips on Pet Circle's Youtube Channel.
TOP TIP: Already have a rubber KONG toy at home? These are completely safe to freeze! Why not stuff the toy with something tasty, freeze, and serve to your cat or dog as a delicious, brain-exercising, mentally-stimulating, icy cool meal?
Shop All Kong Rubber Toys
3. Indoor Activities
Sometimes, it's just so hot outside that staying indoors in the airconditioning is all you can do! On days like these, you can still keep your pet entertained with some fun indoor games! Playing games with your pet engages with them socially and can help improve their emotional wellbeing. Spending time doing activities with your pet really helps solidifies the human-animal bond, and it's great for breaking up the day, boosting morale and helping to reduce stress and anxiety!
Teach them a new trick
Ever wanted to teach your pet a new trick? Why not use some indoor, airconditioned time to teach your pet how to shake hands, roll over, play dead, or 'speak'? Even cats can learn new tricks if they're motivated by treats - why not teach your kitty how to sit, walk on a lead, or 'raise paw'?
View our guides for more information:
Teach Your Dog To Shake Hands
Teach Your Dog To Roll Over
Teach Your Dog To Shake Hands
Teach Your Cat to Sit
Teach Your Cat to Walk on a Lead
Create a Treasure Hunt
Explorative Feeding is a fantastic way to excite and mentally stimulate your pet - and it's particularly useful for cats! Try hiding some of your pet's food or some healthy treats in different places around the house or backyard. Remember to use different levels for cats! Sniffing out their next meal will keep them busy and occupied while you are busy.
Indoor Play Sessions with a New Toy
With a huge array of fun Interactive Toys available that are totally indoor-friendly, you can enjoy safe play sessions with your pet without having to venture into the heat outside. For dogs, why not enjoy a game of tug-of-war, or set them up with an automatic fetch toy on 'low distance' setting?
For cats, your options are endless! Teaser Toys containing feathers are a great way to increase activity for your kitty, with minimal effort on your part. Likewise, laser toys can keep your cat jumping for hours on end, and ball-in-roller toys can occupy your cat when they're by themselves, too!
Play Hide-and-Seek
Hide and seek isn't just for kids - it can be incredibly fun to play with your pets, too! Once your pet has mastered the 'sit' and 'stay' command, hide and seek is easy! Not only is this game mentally engaging as it encourages your pet to use their brain to learn new skills, but it is also a great way to reinforce important commands. Hide and seek is a fun way to practice 'sit', 'lie down', 'stay' and 'come'.
View Dr. Teagan's Guide to Teaching Your Dog Hide and Seek for more information.
Want to know more? Read Boredom busters for dogs and Games you can play with your cat.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
Games to play with your cat in isolation
Premium pet food: is it worth it?
The Best Flea and Tick Treamtents for Cats
Springtime Allergies: How to Stop the Scratching
What is the best flea and tick treatment for dogs?
Want to learn more about caring for your fur family? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.