Product Reviews

5 Must Have Dog Products for Summer

Stacy Mantle 14 years ago

It’s Summertime and that means we have to take steps to protect our pets as much as we do ourselves. Today we’re looking at a few ways you can keep your pets safe during outside playtime, days in the pool, or just going for a walk in the heat of the season!

Here are a few hints on how to do that…

[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]Sunscreen:[/heading]

Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets

Keep your pets safe this summer and as an added bonus, keep them smelling pleasant! All dogs need UVA/UVB protection, and human sunblock can be very harmful to your pet. By protecting your pets skin, you are protecting against heart and renal disease, mammary gland tumors, and even helping your pet avoid senility as the sun can effect cognitive function in dogs.

The only sunscreen in the pet industry that meets the FDA’s ingredient testing standards as required by the FDA for such a product to be legal.

Note: Not to be used on cats.

[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]Paw Protection and Doggie Boots:[/heading]

The summer heat raises the temperature of concrete, pavement, and asphalt – especially asphalt. So, please do not take your dog out for a walk (or even over to your local pet store for a food run) unless you have boots for all of them.

It will take your pet awhile to get used to walking in them, at least, it did ours. So be sure to allow lots of time for your pup to get used to their new footwear. Pricing varies, but our favorite are the Ruffwear Grip Trex Boots from Ruffwear and retail pricing begins as low as $12.50 for a set of 4.

[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]Calming Pets:[/heading]

For hundreds of years, people have been using the power of touch to calm both animals and humans. Now you can apply the principles of T-Touch without even being around them.

The Thundershirt offers gentle calming pressure on the main t-touch regions to help calm pets during times of anxiety. This is an ideal product to have around during those times you know your dog will be stressing out. For our dog, those times include:

Leaving the house
Riding in a car
Hearing loud noises
When company comes over
When I’m stressed out – he picks up on it

This is a must have for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations in the states. We’ll be doing a more extensive review on this product soon – because it really does work. But meanwhile, get yours ordered today!

[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]Life Jackets / Personal Flotation Device (PFD):[/heading]

The Kurgo Surf n’ Turf Dog Lifejacket is a priority if you’re going to be at the ocean or lake. The jacket is stylish, lightweight and incorporates the use of a handle on the back for easy lifting into boats or for rescuing your pup from the surf. If you’re headed out to waves or just water, be sure to pick up this little lifesaver (literally) for your four-legged friend.

Also, learn more about WaterCollar – A PFD for Dogs.

This is a great way to keep your pets protected when swimming or just when you’re at work when your pet has access to pools.

[heading style=”1″ color=”#996633″ style_color=”#996633″]Shade:[/heading]

Kyjen Outward Hound Shade Shelter from Kyjen

This is a cool little product that we actually had a lot of fun with. It’s not huge, but it does offer some protection from the sun and our pups all need that. It folds down into a small little flat package (about the size of a sun shade for your car) and is just a fun item to talk about on the beach with friends. Bowl is included for easy access to water. Pricing begins at $30.00.