Summer Superfoods For Your Pets

Summer Superfoods For Your Pets

Summer is officially here, and how! It’s that time of year again where the sweltering, sultry heat makes you wish you were sitting in an igloo instead of wherever you are in India. Safe to assume that if it’s hot for you, it’s hot for your pets as well. Their body temperatures tend to be much higher than humans’ and unlike us, they don’t sweat to cool off. Rather, they pant and look for cool surfaces to cool down.

Similar to us, our pet’s diet naturally changes in accordance with the weather. Like us, our furry friends will appreciate light, fresh, and delicious summer foods – something they can digest easily and won’t make them feel lethargic and bloated.

Keep an eye on their food and water intake

Keep a close eye on their food and water intake but don’t feel too alarmed if you find them eating less than usual, so long as they are otherwise fit and healthy. It’s normal for them to experience a loss of appetite if it’s too hot. Just make sure they’re well hydrated and get enough nutrition. Many pet owners tend to feed curd and buttermilk to their pets during summer and while it may help to cool them down, it’s important to note that these foods are very water-intense but do not have sufficient vitamins and minerals that your pet will need.

Plenty of fresh water and increased frequency of feeds will ensure that your pet is having a nutritionally well-balanced, energy-dense diet. Watermelon (de-seeded, of course), cucumber, and other fruits with rich water content are all good options.

You can opt to feed them a mostly raw diet or processed wet or dry food, if that’s easier. Just know that while dry food is really convenient, it’s not necessarily the best for your pet’s health. Dry food is highly-processed, making it less nutritious than raw foods, and it’s also warming. Do make sure you include a mix of proteins and carbohydrates, and avoid anything too fatty.

Excited Dog Food GIF by Benyfit Natural Official - Find & Share on GIPHY

The best summer foods for pets are:

  • nutritious
  • cooling
  • hydrating
  • delicious
  • Some example of cooling foods are:
  • Meat & fish: Duck, duck eggs, pork, white fish
  • Eggs & dairy: Eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt
  • Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, turnip, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, brussel sprouts, green beans
  • Fruit: Strawberry, melon, cranberry, banana, mango, apple, pear
  • Herbs & greens: Dandelion, kelp, seaweed, spirulina, wheat grass, peppermint, chlorella, alfalfa sprouts, majoram
  • Mushrooms: Button mushrooms
  • Grains: Buckwheat, barley, wild rice, millet
  • Other: Tofu, sesame and flaxseed oil

The cooling benefits of these foods will be higher if they are fed raw or lightly cooked, as the cooking process can destroy certain properties of foods. However, not all foods can be served raw to dogs and some raw foods might cause an upset stomach – brussel sprouts should be cooked for example. Do further research or ask your vet before adding a new food to your pet’s diet. And always start out slow by giving your pet only a small amount of the new food.

Water Fountain GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Water for the win

Pets tend to easily overheat and get dehydrated in summer. Provide them with unrestricted access to fresh, cool water. To encourage them to drink water more regularly, place water bowls around the house and garden within easy reach. Refill water bowls frequently. Adding ice cubes or filling chilled water in the bowls will make you a winner in your pet’s eyes.

Donate Now

There are many ways you can help us. From covering medical costs and post-op care for animal rescues, sponsoring vaccination shots, celebrating an occasion by sponsoring a meal for our inmates at the animal hospital and at the animal sanctuary or even contributing to help us keep the facilities running , the choice is yours.
Donate

Recent Posts

Festivals of Fauna: Exploring Animal Festivals Around the World

From the bustling streets of Thailand to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, animal festivals around the world offer a window into the diverse ways in which humans interact with and celebrate the creatures that share our planet. They offer a glimpse into cultural traditions, ecological conservation efforts, and the deep connections humans have with the animal kingdom.

Read More »

Golden Years: Loving and Caring for Your Senior Pet

Caring for a senior pet requires patience, understanding and a willingness to adapt to their changing needs. Just as we adjust our lifestyles to accommodate our aging selves, it’s essential to adapt our approach to caring for our furry companions as they enter their senior years.

Read More »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Donate Now

There are many ways you can help us. From covering medical costs and post-op care for animal rescues, sponsoring vaccination shots, celebrating an occasion by sponsoring a meal for our inmates at the animal hospital and at the animal sanctuary or even contributing to help us keep the facilities running , the choice is yours.
Donate

Other posts from the blog

How to keep your pets calm during Diwali - Blog Cover

How to keep your pets calm during Diwali

Each and every pet is different, and so are their needs. Something that works best for one may not work for another one. So, pay attention to their behaviour and comfort level during the din and booms during Diwali and adjust your approach accordingly. Be proactive and ensure your pet’s well-being during noisy events like Diwali.

Read More »
Cage free vs free range eggs - The cruelty quotient - Blog Cover

Cage Free Versus Free Range Eggs – The Cruelty Quotient

While cage-free and free-range systems are improvements over battery cages, they still pose an assorted range of welfare issues. For higher animal welfare standards, consumers can look for “Pasture-Raised” or “Certified Humane” labels, which indicate more extensive outdoor access and higher standards of care for the hens

Read More »
Animal Care

How dogs make our lives better

There are a lot ways in which our furry friends make our lives better. We’ve listed a few of them to help you appreciate your friendship with dogs even more.

Read More »