Dog Life

Dog Days of Summer

Where the name comes from, plus cool activities, heat safety, frozen DIY treats and summer photo tips.

By 5 min read
Dog Days of Summer – Freezbone

The pavement is hot enough to fry an egg, your dog is flat out on the kitchen tiles, and the afternoon walk feels like a bad idea. Welcome to the dog days of summer. They can still be some of the best days of the year with your dog, as long as you plan around the heat.

Here is where the name comes from, plus dog-friendly activities, heat safety tips, easy frozen DIY treats and a few tricks for summer photos you will treasure.

What are the dog days of summer?

The "dog days" are the hottest, most sultry days of summer, typically in July and August. The name goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed the hot weather was caused by the alignment of the star Sirius with the sun. They thought the heat from this star added to the heat of the sun, making those days especially hot and uncomfortable.

Today the phrase describes any stretch of extreme heat and humidity, when people and animals alike look for relief. Knowing what the season brings helps you prepare for it and keep your pets well.

What can I do with my dog on hot summer days?

When the heat peaks, choose activities that keep your dog cool and entertained.

1. Swimming

  • Many dogs love to swim, and it is a great way to beat the heat
  • Try the beach, a lake or a dog-friendly pool

2. Indoor playdates

  • On extremely hot days, keep your dog indoors
  • Arrange playdates in air-conditioned spaces, or set up an indoor obstacle course
  • A Freezbone keeps your dog busy and cool between games

3. Frozen treats

  • Make homemade treats from dog-friendly yogurt, fruit and meat
  • Freezbone fillings are a convenient shortcut on busy days

4. Shaded walks

  • Choose shaded routes
  • Avoid the hottest times of day
  • Bring water for you and your dog

Need more ideas? Our guide to summer activities for your dog has plenty.

How do I keep my dog safe in the heat?

As temperatures rise, a few extra precautions keep your pets safe and cool.

  1. Provide plenty of fresh water. Make sure your pets have clean, cool water at all times, and consider leaving some out for street animals too. Add ice cubes, or freeze a water bowl, to keep it cool for longer.
  2. Create a cool indoor space. Use fans or air conditioning, or close curtains and blinds to block the heat. Give your pets a comfortable spot to relax and escape it.
  3. Limit outdoor activity. Skip walks and strenuous play during the hottest part of the day. Go out early in the morning or late in the evening instead.
  4. Protect their paws. Hot pavement can burn paw pads. Before a walk, touch the pavement with your hand. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot for your dog's paws. Booties can help.
  • Never leave your pet in a parked car. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Leaving a pet unattended in a car can be fatal.

Our post on summer mistakes dog owners make covers more of the heat traps to avoid.

Which frozen treats help dogs beat the summer heat?

Frozen dog treats shared by a Freezbone customer

On sweltering days, homemade frozen treats help your dog cool down. Here are four easy ones to try:

  1. Frozen yogurt bites. Mix plain yogurt with your dog's favorite fruit, like banana or strawberries. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
  2. Frozen watermelon. Cut seedless watermelon into small, bite-sized pieces and freeze them on a tray. Watermelon is hydrating and refreshing.
  3. Chicken broth cubes. Fill ice cube trays with low-sodium chicken broth and freeze for a tasty, cooling treat.
  4. Peanut butter and banana ice cream. Blend ripe bananas with natural peanut butter until smooth, pour into containers and freeze.

Freezbone tip

Any of these mixes can go straight into a FreezBone instead of a tray. Your dog has to lick and work to reach it, so one treat lasts far longer than a cube. Always use dog-friendly ingredients and skip anything harmful to dogs.

“Hobie loved his Freezbone frozen with bone broth and blueberries. It took him a good amount of time to enjoy it, well over 15 min. plus some. Definitely will be looking forward to using especially throughout the summer months.”
Stephanie E., verified buyer

For more hot-weather fills, try our 5 frozen dog treat recipes to beat the heat or watch the Freezbone recipe videos.

How do I photograph my dog outdoors in summer?

Summer is the perfect time to capture memorable moments with your dog outdoors. These tips help you get photos worth keeping:

  1. Use natural light. The best time to photograph your dog outdoors is the golden hours: the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The soft, warm light gives your photos a beautiful glow, and it is cooler for your dog too.
  2. Get down to their level. Kneel or lie on the ground to capture your dog's perspective, their expressions and some unique angles.
  3. Use treats and toys. Grab your dog's attention with treats or a favorite toy to capture playful, happy moments.
  4. Capture action shots. Dogs are full of energy, so do not be afraid to shoot them in motion for dynamic, exciting photos.
  5. Focus on the eyes. Sharp, in-focus eyes make a captivating image.

Need inspiration? See these heart-melting photos of dogs enjoying their Freezbone.

Make the most of the dog days

Swim, play indoors, walk in the shade and keep the freezer stocked. With a little planning, your dog stays safe, cool and happy through the hottest days of summer, and you come out the other side with photos you will cherish for years.

Frequently asked questions

  • The hottest, most sultry days of summer, typically in July and August. Today the phrase describes any stretch of extreme heat and humidity.

  • The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the hot weather was caused by the alignment of the star Sirius with the sun, and that its heat added to the sun's.

  • Touch it with your hand before a walk. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot for your dog's paws. Walk early or late, stick to shade, or consider booties.

  • No. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise to dangerous levels, and leaving a pet unattended in a car can be fatal.

  • Frozen yogurt and fruit bites, frozen seedless watermelon, low-sodium chicken broth cubes, and peanut butter and banana ice cream. Use dog-friendly ingredients and natural peanut butter.

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Written by Freezbone Team

We make freezable, refillable chew toys in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and test every fill and routine on our own dogs before we write about it.

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