Frozen Fruit Bowls Meant to Cool Bulldogs Off on a Hot Day Look Good Enough for Humans to Eat
Summer is finally here, and we're all spending more time outside these days, usually with our dogs. There's just one problem: in many places around the United States, it has been aggressively hot, and not only do dogs usually love playing outside so much that they don't ever want to come inside, but it's also easy for them to become dehydrated when the temperatures are as high as they have been. We've gotta keep these pups cool!
Of course, the easiest way to do this is to make sure that they've got a bowl full of cold water ready and available while they're playing outside, and some people also like to break out the hose or sprinkler (or even a kiddie pool) to let them splash a bit. But when that's not enough, this easy hack might help.
Recently, @chubbynbella took to TikTok to share this video on how she makes frozen fruit bowls for her adorable Bulldogs, who belong to a dog breed that is particularly sensitive to heat. Anything to make sure these pups stay nice and cool!
First, you'll need to find a bowl, and put fruit on the bottom of it (she used mangos and strawberries, but fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries, and pineapples are also all dog safe). Then, she puts smaller container in the bowl on top, and fills the containers (including the space in between them) with water.
Two hours in the freezer later, and you have a nice, big, solid block of ice with fruit inside for your dogs to enjoy outside as a special snack, and you can even pour water into the center of your ice bowl for them to drink. So easy!
And not only is this a yummy treat that will help keep dogs cool and hydrated, it will also give them mental stimulation and enrichment they need, too.
Symptoms of Dogs Overheating
Like I mentioned earlier, some dogs are simply more prone to overheating — not just Bulldogs, but also pugs and other brachycephalic dogs who may struggle to breathe when they're very hot.
You can help keep this from happening by making sure plenty of water and ice are available, and one dog mom told the American Kennel Club that she makes it a habit to bring a spray bottle with her on outdoor outings, so she can keep her dog sprayed down too. Make sure they're spending plenty of time in the shade!
Despite your best efforts, though, your dog may still overheat. According to the AKC, these are the symptoms of overheating: "frantic panting, extreme salivation, bright-red membranes, and labored breathing."
If you think that's what's going on with your dog, act quickly to move them to a cool place and spray their coats down with cool water. Contact your veterinarian to see how else you should proceed, since an office visit may be necessary.
in the summer, there's no such thing as too much water for our pups. Keep it coming!
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