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Sun and hot weather can quickly become a stress for dogs. With the right nutrition, you can support your dog on hot days. How to feed your dog properly on hot days, read here - with recipes for dog ice cream!
Dogs can get quite a bit of heat. Therefore, here are 5 tips that are particularly important in dog nutrition on hot days
- the dog must drink a lot
As with us humans, it is also most important for our four-legged friends to drink enough fluids on hot days. A well-filled bowl of fresh, clean water should always be available in a shady spot. If you have a garden, you can set up a second watering hole for your dog there.
Even in hot weather, the water should not be too cold, but rather lukewarm. If you are worried that your dog is not drinking enough, you can soak his dry food in lukewarm water about 10 minutes before feeding. A little water can also be added to wet food or home-prepared rations.
- change of feed before vacation
Logistically, it is not always possible to take the dog's favorite food with you on vacation. If you want to change to dry food that is easy to transport or to food that is also available at the vacation destination, you should start changing the food a few weeks before the start of the trip.
For sensitive dogs, a gradual changeover is recommended: first, add a small portion of the new food to the usual food (e.g. a quarter of the total ration). Increase the proportion every 2-3 days (e.g. to two, then three and finally four quarters of the total ratio). If you do not want to mix the various foods, you can also feed them in several portions throughout the day.
Read also:Are dogs really allowed to eat blueberries?
- storage of the dog food
At high temperatures, proper storage and cooling of dog food are especially important. With raw meat, you should make sure that the cold chain is not interrupted. Especially in summer, BARF food should therefore only be purchased from trustworthy retailers! Canned food must also be protected from the effects of heat. At temperatures above 32 °C not only nutrients are destroyed, but the food can also go bad. Dry food should be stored as cool as possible in an airtight box and protected from moisture and humidity, otherwise, there is a risk of mold growth.
- bowl hygiene
High heat is the preferred climate of many bacteria and germs. So that the drinking and feeding places of the dog do not become the new favorite location of the unpleasant Einzeller, the bowls must be cleaned daily thoroughly:
- Stale drinking water should be replaced with fresh every few hours.
- Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easier to clean and therefore usually more hygienic than plastic ones.
- If your dog does not eat his food (completely), in the case of wet food and self-prepared food, the leftovers should either be disposed of or stored in the refrigerator until the next meal.
Even in hot weather, do not serve food directly from the refrigerator, but at room temperature!
- not hungry in the heat?
Does your dog have little appetite in high temperatures? He is no different than many people. Most dogs are less active during the day in the summer than they are in the cooler months, so energy consumption drops as well. As long as your dog is maintaining its weight, there is no need to worry. It may be helpful to move feeding to the early morning and evening hours when it is a little cooler. Many dogs enjoy a refreshing smoothie or ice cream on hot days.
Recipes: Make your ice cream for dogs
On hot days, dogs are also happy about a fruity refreshment. We have tracked down a few foolproof recipes for ice cream, frozen yogurt, and smoothies for you.
- recipes for dog ice cream
For a creamy dog ice cream, low-fat curd or cottage cheese is best, as well as plain yogurt for frozen yogurt. However, you can also make pure fruit ice cream without a creamy component. The procedure is generally the same for all types of ice cream:
- Mix the curd, yogurt, or cottage cheese (depending on the recipe) with finely chopped fruit (seeded), liverwurst, or honey (depending on the recipe). You can also puree the ingredients to make a smooth mixture.
- Fill the mixture into small containers, such as small yogurt cups or ice cube molds, depending on the size you want. You can also use extra paw-shaped containers for the eye.
- You can use an ice cream spoon or a piece of straw as a handle.
- Then add to the freezer - and you're done! Allow thawing slightly before feeding.
Here are a few examples of dog ice cream recipes:
- 3 tablespoons of low-fat natural yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped strawberries
- a few blobs of honey
- 3 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons of dog liver sausage
- 3 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons of soft banana
- a few blobs of honey
2 . Recipes for smoothies for dogs
There are also no limits to your imagination when it comes to fruity-fresh smoothies. Peel apples, bananas, raspberries, melons & Co., remove seeds, cut into small pieces, add some water or fruit juice, off into the blender, and ready is the fruity vitamin bomb for humans and dogs!
Here are a few examples of dog smoothie recipes:
Apple Carrot Smoothie
- one peeled cored apple
- one peeled carrot
- 1 teaspoon honey
- approx. 50 ml carrot juice (or optionally still water)
- 1 teaspoon barley grass powder (if desired): a nutrient-rich superfood for people and dogs
Raspberry Banana Smoothie
- half a soft banana
- one peeled, cored apple
- approx. 50 g raspberries
- approx. 50 ml cloudy apple juice (or optionally still water)
If the smoothies are too thick, add a little more water.