12 Must Have Summer Items for Your Dogs to Have Fun and Stay Cool

Are you and your dog ready for summer fun? Along with all the activities that come with the warmer weather comes being prepared for the heat and the Great Outdoors. So we’ve put together a recommended list of fun and functional items to accompany you and your fur friends on your sunny adventures whether it be to the beach, the hills or your backyard!

1. Booties / Paw Protectors

Protect your dog’s paws from the hot ground, from the environment and from getting cut by debris, rocks or garbage. QUMY boots/paw protectors are a best seller on Amazon.

2. Paw Balm & Paw Wax

Paw wax and balm is a great way to help prevent cracked paws and keep your dog’s paw pads moisturized. There’s a wide variety of paw balms available for pets such as Honest Paws Dog Paw Pad Balm or Natural Dog Company’s Paw Soother and Wild Acre Dog Paw Balm via Amazon. Look for ones that are unscented, lick safe and doesn’t include any ingredients that you think your dog will react to or has allergies to.

For more intense activities you may prefer a paw wax over a balm. Paw waxes are usually more viscous than balms and work to protect your dog’s paws from hot asphalt, sand and rocky trails.

Musher’s secret is a time-tested product and known for its reliability and safety. Visit their shop on Amazon. There are other products such as Natureland Organic Paw Wax for Dogs and Warren London Paw Defense Wax.

3. Nose balm

Nose balm is great to keep your dog’s nose from burning and cracking. This is especially true of dogs with pink noses! Often dog balms/soothers are multipurpose and will work on paws and nose. But here are a few exclusively for your doggo’s snout! There’s Burt’s Bees for Pets Care Plus+ Natural Sea Buckthorn & Kelp Restoring Nose & Paw Lotion and The Blissful Dog Bulldog Unscented Nose Butter.

4. Cooling Vests & UV Shirts

Having a shirt or vest to combat the sun and UV rays is a great way to help keep dogs from getting overheated. For short-haired breeds and dogs with thin coats, a UV vest or shirt also can help prevent sunburn. RC Pet Products Zephyr Cooling Dog Vest via Amazon, ALL FOR PAWS Cooling Vest Dog Cooling Shirts and RC Pets Solis Coverup UV shirt are some products to try.

5. Cooling bandana

You can use a wet towel that you’ve cooled in the fridge or freezer, to put around your dog’s neck to help keep them cool. There are also cooling bandanas available to buy such as the All for Paws Chill Out Ice Bandana

6. Portable water bottle

Never forget to pack water for your pup on any outing and keeping your put hydrated will help prevent heat stroke. The Gorilla Grip BPA Free Portable Dog Water Bottle with Carabiner Clip is a handy bottle to take on hikes and excursions.

7.Cooling mat

Cooling mats are a great thing to have handy to put in your dog’s crate, in the car and when traveling. The Green Pet Shop Dog Cooling Mat folds up nicely and has fast-acting cooling gel.

8. Water Toys

We love the ChuckIt! Amphibious Bumper Fetch and Float Dog Toy for it’s durability and float-ability!

There are other toys like the ChuckIt! Paraflight Flyer Dog Frisbee Toy Floats On Water and the Nerf Dog Rubber Tire Flyer Dog Toy that will keep your dog entertained!

9. Life Jackets

Life jackets are a necessity for your dog if you are going out onto the water whether that be boating, paddle boarding or kayaking. Make sure the floatation device is the proper size so it isn’t loose and has enough buoyancy for your dog’s weight. Go for function over cute. Outward Hound Dawson Swim Red Dog Life Jacket and Kurgo Dog Water Life Jacket are some good ones.

10. Pupsicle Toys

Who doesn’t like a cool treat? PetSafe Freezable Treat Holding Chilly Penguin Dog Toy offers a way to offer up the summer treat without making (too much) of a mess.

There’s also Messy Mutts Silicone Bake & Freeze Treat Making Mold and Dog Treat Molds – Paw and Bone Silicone Dog Treat Molds for making your own delicious treats. Looking for some recipes? Why not make your pup some dog-friendly ice cream or pupsicles?

11. Sprinkler and pools

Kids love them, dogs love them. VISTOP Non-Slip Splash Pad for Kids and Dogs is a popular item on Amazon.

Then there’s the Dog Pool for Large Dogs 63″x12″ JECOO and VISTOP Jumbo Foldable Dog Pool for a full-on pool experience. Just be warned, your dog might love the pool so much they will do what Gus the bulldog does and bring it inside!

12. Outdoor bed

Whether going camping, to the beach or lounging in your backyard, the Heeyoo Elevated Dog Bed with Canopy provides shade and a place for your dog to lie down. Heeyoo also makes an Outdoor Water Proof Camping Dog Bed

No matter what you plan on doing, enjoy a safe summer with your dog.