With temperatures in the UK this weekend expected to reach in excess of 30 degrees, we're required to think differently about how we entertain and enrich our dogs!
As a reminder - these temperatures are not safe for walking your dog or carrying out any physically exerting activity such as fetch or play sessions with other dogs. You can walk them super early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the worst of the heat, but know that your dog will be ok without being walked their usual longer walk for a day or two - and there are plenty of things you can do together instead!
I've set out below some quick ideas for activities that are engaging as well as cooling.
Please note this blog contains some affiliate links for products I don't sell but that I recommend to clients, meaning I may earn some commission should you buy these. I have noted which products in the blog.
Try a paddling pool
Set up a paddling pool. You can put their toys in it, or drop in tasty foods like chopped carrot, apple or blueberries for them to forage.
Freeze food enrichment toys
Freeze your food enrichment toys like licking mats, Kongs etc. if your dog enjoys that. If you are worried about extra calories, blend up some of their main food in a blender with water or broth and freeze this. Honey and Kingsley are enjoying Toppls (affiliate link) and licking mats today stuffed with their own food for lunch. You could also buy or make your own doggy-safe ice cream! You can get licking mats from my store.
Play "find it" games
Hide food or your dog's favourite toys around the house or in the garden for them to find. This is really good in particular for dogs who are ball-obsessed as it's a great way to use the toy without increasing arousal levels too much.
Scatter feed on the grass
If you have a garden with a lawn, scatter their food on the grass for them to forage. If you don't have access to a lawn, use a snuffle mat or a rolled-up towel.
Play a game of tug
2 to 3 minutes of tugging is more than enough time! You can do this outdoors or indoors - if indoors, just make sure the surface underfoot has good grip to protect your dog's joints (carpet or rug). I have lots of different kinds of tugs!
Do some conditioning exercises
You don't need any fancy equipment for this - some buckets and brooms and a kitchen step are enough! Set up the buckets and brooms to make a mini agility course or cavaletti rails, and use the step to teach "paws up". Great for physical fitness as well as body awareness!
Try an indoor dog park
If it's too hot outside but your dog has energy to burn, try an indoor dog park. I love The Dog's Inn in Ballymena, and Off Lead Agility in Donemana is also great. Your dog can still play and have fun, and there's no risk of heat stroke.
Other tips
Remember to provide plenty of fresh, cold drinking water for your dog throughout the heatwave, and find ways to keep them cool like using fans or cooling mats (affiliate link). I like fans (I recommend a steel floor fan) because the white noise is also really helpful!
Hotter than usual temperatures can make humans as well as dogs grumpy and quicker to react out of emotion or stress - watch for signs your dog may be having a hard time and make sure to give them plenty of space and somewhere quiet to retreat as well. Try to avoid over-handling them and learn their cues. Give them multiple spots to lie down away from the main household so that they can choose their favourite. I have beds in my home office, kitchen and craft room, and the dogs are welcome onto the sofas in the living room - one sofa is designated "no touching" which means that if they are on that sofa, we leave them be. Be aware that the weather may put them off their food a little and they may need more sleep.
Got any ideas? I'd love to hear what you've been up to with your dogs! Send me a message through the website or DM me on Instagram!