Summer Essentials

Make the most of the season with our favourite, tested and approved picks. Life is short! Have fun!

1. Denim for days! The Showstopper Light Denim Pocket Harness from Doodle Couture is a dream. A fully adjustable fit, safety reflectors, and pocket will make this a favourite. $35, doodlecouture.com

2. Water sports, anyone? Keep your dog safe with the Adventure Life Jacket from ZippyPaws. Dense foam panels help your dog effortlessly stay afloat. Reflective stripes add extra visibility, and padded handles on the back of the jacket let your lift dog if needed. Available in six sizes. From $20, zippypaws.com

3. Keep cozy no matter where you roam! Kurgo’s super-comfy Loft Wander Dog Bed has lots of loft but rolls right up, sleeping bag-style, for easy travel. A durable, water-resistant, ripstop top and waterproof bottom means it can handle wet dogs and the great outdoors! Camping, anyone? From $64, kurgo.com

4. The perfect collar for summer adventures! Goodbye stinky collars—the Hydro Collars from Hot Dogs All Dressed are waterproof and made to withstand serious wear. Choose your favourite vibrant colour and add charms for extra flair! From $23, hotdogsalldressed.com

5. Hit the trails! The versatile Trail Pack from Hurtta is the perfect harness/daypack combo, ideal for hiking, trekking, and travelling! The removable pack lets your dog carry her own gear, while the fully adjustable harness can be used for walks or as a safety harness in the car. From $115, hurtta.com 

6. Outdoor lounging at its finest! Sleek and streamlined, Bowsers Pet Products’ Urban Lounger comes in a variety of durable, upholstery-grade outdoor fabrics that are water, mold, mildew, and stain resistant! From $165, bowsers.com

7. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. Le Dog Company’s gorgeously minimal leather dog beds feature cooling gel memory foam on top of a human-grade orthopedic mattress to keep your dog cool while relieving pressure points. Plus, simply wipe to clean! From $329,  ledogcompany.com

8. Tags with Personality Plus. From funny to irreverent, choose from Bad Tags’ lightweight dog tags to show off your pup’s unique personality. Their camping-themed tags are perfect for four-legged outdoor enthusiasts. $20 per tag, buybadtags.com

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!

This Fan from Gunner Kennels Works Hard for Your Dog

We started this company to protect your pet, and it continues to be at the heartbeat of everything we do. That’s why the G1™ Fan Kit has been a priority – and in the making for more than a year.

Many of the activities that we all love to do during these hot summer months include…. Well, heat. And that presents a problem – especially for highly active dogs. We’ve been working, like always, to solve problems and find better ways to protect your dog.

G1™ Fan Kit

Our new high-powered fan was engineered to help keep your dog cool while the kennel remains stationary, and operates on a rechargeable battery thatlasts up to 6 hours on one charge. We designed this product in similar fashion to our G1™ series: rugged craftsmanship that’s high-quality, durable and incorporates features for your convenience – like the all stainless-steel mounting hardware and custom cam levers that make it easy to safely secure it to the crate. 

Plus this thing is weatherproof, able to work in adverse conditions while being utilized in the bed of your truck. And although we never recommend leaving your dog unattended for long periods of time, we can say our G1™ Fan Kit will significantly improve ventilation (especially when stationary) for your four-legged friend.

Your dog works hard for you – this fan works hard for your dog.

Surf’s Up!

Ricky, a rescue cat, won't surf without his friend Coppertone, a Miniature Dachshund, on the board. You read that right. This unlikely pair are stars of the upcoming Lucy Pet's Gnarly Crankin' K9 Wave Maker Tour ll, coming to a city near you!

Making twenty stops, including ones in Canada, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, and San Antonio, Lucy Pet is hitting the road with the world's only mobile wave maker, a portable 75-foot tank filled with 5000 gallons of water that can produce a perfect wave every five seconds. But the amazing thing is this: cats and dogs are doing the surfing!

One of the amazing felines riding the waves is the aforementioned Lucy Pet mascot Ricky the Rescue Cat, who insists on riding with his friend, pro-surfing Miniature Dachshund, Coppertone. And it wouldn't be a surf sesh without Surfin' Jack, the sunglasses-wearing spokesdog for Lucy Pet Foundation, who will also be showing off her skills on the board.

While this spectacle is sure to raise your spirits, it will also raise awareness and funds for the Lucy Pet Foundation, whose mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and the euthanasia of over 80,000 dogs and cats per week in the United States. "We thought we'd never be able to top last year's Gnarly Crankin' Wave Maker Tour," says Lucy Pet's Joey Herrick. "But I think we've done it! Never before have there been dogs doing tricks on moving surfboards, not to mention cats that can hang twenty with the best of them." Get in on the fun and find a stop near you at lucypetfoundation.org.

Calling All Canadian Surfin’ Dogs!

For the first time ever, Canadian dogs will get the chance to yell “surf’s up” and head over to Lucy Pet’s Gnarly Crankin' K-9 Wave Maker to see if they have what it takes to hang twenty (as only a dog can do). Back by popular demand after a wildly successful appearance in the 2017 Rose Parade, Lucy Pet’s Wave Maker will cross the U.S. border for the first time to attend Toronto’s Woofstock Festival.

All Toronto area pet parents can bring their dogs to Woodbine Park on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see if they have what it takes to surf the Lucy Pet Wave Maker.

The Lucy Pet Crankin’ K9 Wave Maker is a one of a kind portable invention designed exclusively for Lucy Pet by American Wave Machine. It consists of a 75 foot trailer filled with 19,000 liters of water (5,000 gallons) and an automatic wave generator.

In addition to determining if a dog is a surfer “dude,” or surfer “chick” they will have the chance to win prizes and social media fame all across Canada.

“We are really excited to bring Lucy Pet’s Gnarly Crankin' K-9 Wave Maker up north and across the Canadian border to make new friends,” said Joey Herrick. “After so much success in the U.S. last year, we wanted to share the experience with Canadian pet parents too. Participating in Woofstock, named the Best Festival in Canada, is the perfect opportunity to do just that. We can’t wait!”

Products With A Cause
Lucy Pet is committed to helping animals by donating to the Lucy Pet Foundation, whose mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and support other animal welfare causes.

About Lucy Pet
Lucy Pet is a family-owned and operated pet product business based in Thousand Oaks, California. Proceeds from the brand directly fund its 501 (c) (3) non-profit Lucy Pet Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and the euthanasia of over 80,000 dogs and cats per week in the United States.

From Formula for Life ™ dog and cat food, pet shampoos/leave-in conditioners to Lucy Pet Cats Incredible cat litter, Lucy Pet develops quality products for pets' health and wellness. Their products are made in the U.S.A and can be found in pet specialty stores across the U.S.A. and worldwide. For more information please go to www.lucypetfood.com or follow Lucy Pets and their spokesdog, Surfin' Jack on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @LucyPetProducts and @SurfinJackDog.

About Woofstock
Woofstock, North America’s largest outdoor festival for dogs, has grown into a tour de force, drawing tens of thousands of dogs and their human companions from across Canada and the U.S. every year. With its attendance increasing annually and the continued support and participation of top pet brands, Woofstock has been named Best Festival in Canada awarded by Canadian Special Events.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please call 416-234-WOOF or visit www.woofstock.ca

Video of the Day: Adorable Doggy Pool Party

via Lucky Puppy

Ultra Stylish Plaid Bandana

These super stylish bandanas from Chloe's Canine are just too dashing for words. A unique snap closure makes this product a safe choice that won't get stuck to Benji's fur like velcro. The perfect summer accessory! – LC

Pool Safety for Dogs

School is out, the temperatures are high, and the days are long. For children and pets alike, this makes taking a dip in your backyard pool seem more attractive than ever. Although your children may be competent swimmers, do not assume that your pets are. Preventing pool accidents for your pets takes adequate planning and careful supervision.

Limiting their access to the pool is an easy and effective way to prevent accidental fall-ins. “A good gate will be the best way to limit pet access to the pool,” said Dr. James Barr, assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Keeping the door closed at all times is important for children and dogs alike, as is only allowing them to be in the pool area supervised.”

Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are efficient swimmers. This common misconception can be life threatening to your pet. “The dogs that are considered to be brachycephalic, such as English bulldogs, American bulldogs, and French bulldogs, are notoriously bad swimmers,” said Barr. Therefore, it is smart to teach these dogs how to swim and exit the pool safely to prevent drowning.

Another popular concern among pet owners is whether it is safe for Fido or Fluffy to drink pool water. Dr. Barr explains that while it typically is not safe, there are some pool waters that are worse than others for drinking. It is also important that your pool’s chemical balance is correct, as algae can be disruptive to pets’ health.

“The typical chlorine pool could be quite irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and could cause some electrolyte issues if enough is drunk,” said Barr. “Saltwater pools, although not as salty as seawater, can also cause electrolyte problems if enough is consumed.”

Though your pooch may be eager to splash into the pool on a hot, summer day, there should be set limitations for dogs of a certain ages or medical conditions. You should always consult with your veterinarian before allowing your dog to swim.

“By far, the most common reason why a dog drowns or nearly drowns in a pool is because they suffer from dementia or are blind or both, fall into the pool and are unable to get out,” said Barr. “Otherwise, safety depends on your dog’s ability to get in and out of the pool.”

While there are many effective ways to ensure your pet’s safety when near a pool, the most important precautionary measure is adequate supervision. Just like with children, leaving them unattended around a pool can lead to unnecessary injury. This, along with teaching Fido how to swim and correctly exit the water, can keep the pool area a fun and safe environment.

Heat Stroke’s Deadly Effects on Dogs

As summer progresses and temperatures come close to triple digits, many of us make it a habit to protect ourselves from the sweltering heat. Unfortunately for our pets these scorching summer months are not only uncomfortable, but they are also a time when the risk of heat stroke is at its highest.

“A heat stroke occurs when the body's ability to rid itself of heat is exceeded by the heat that it is generating,” said James Barr, Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). “This results in an increase in body temperature to the point where damage to the internal organs occurs.”

Heat stroke is a very dangerous condition, especially in pets. If it is severe, the pet will almost certainly die if it does not receive proper medical care immediately. “Oftentimes, the pet will be brought to the hospital too late and will die despite our best efforts,” said Barr.

Although the initial signs of heat stroke are simply anxiety, excessive panting, and inability to settle down after exercise, these symptoms can quickly and severely progress into lethargy, muscle weakness, seizures, and even death.

If you believe your pet is at risk for heat stroke, there are several steps you should take immediately to guarantee the pet’s longevity.

“The first thing you should do is take the pet’s temperature,” said Barr. “If their body temperature is above 104 degrees, they are in danger of organ damage. Submersing the pet in cool, but not cold, water is very helpful in lowering their temperature to a more normal level. Since time is a crucial factor when dealing with a heat stroke, spraying a pet down with a garden hose or immersing them in a nearby body of water are preferred methods of cooling the pet down. After you have started this cooling process, the pet should be seen by a veterinarian immediately so that it can receive prompt medical attention to prevent any further damage.”

The most important way to keep your pet’s temperature at a normal range throughout the sizzling summer months is to avoid exercising with them during the hottest parts of the day. It is also vital to provide plenty of drinking water and to take frequent breaks from playing outside to allow your pet to cool off and rehydrate.

“Often a long run in the early afternoon is the precursor to a heat stroke episode,” said Barr. “It is also very important to not leave your pets in the car while it is not running as it can reach dangerous temperatures very quickly.”

If, after prolonged outdoor exposure, you notice that your pet does not calm down, looks lethargic, or if you are at all worried that they may be suffering from a heat stroke, you should immediately contact your local veterinarian or emergency services. “The most dangerous thing is the failure to seek veterinary attention, as time is of the essence,” said Barr.