It’s summer time, fun in the sun season 🙂. With the advent of summers we tend to make changes in our diet. Have you as a pet parent noticed your furry companions are not eating as much as they used to? As the temperature rises it affects our pet’s digestive system as well. Their appetite level decreases during the hot summer months. As their body temperature rises, pets spend more energy panting, in an effort to lower the body temperature. It is therefore important that they eat right during summer.

If their intake has reduced, here are a few tips and tricks for Pet Parents to craft a summer pet diet to keep their little ones cool and content.

Hydration is the key

The scorching heat no doubt is a major cause of exhaustion during the summers for our fur babies and a quick solution for this is to keep our pet companions hydrated with fresh and clean drinking water. Adequate consumption of water can help our pets fight dehydration during the harsh weather. We have to make sure that our pet has access to fresh clean drinking water throughout the day.

For more hydration tips you can read our blog on tips to keep your pet hydrated Read Here

Moisture-rich food

We should incorporate moisture-rich food into their diet, as it prevents chronic dehydration. Cost and convenience are typically the primary reasons pet parents opt for a kibble-based diet instead of a fresh or moisture-rich diet.
Freshly prepared home meals are a better option for pets as compared to the highly processed dry kibble available commercially.

These meals can be made moisture-rich by choosing the correct ingredients and cooking methods which retain moisture. Thus with a little effort it is possible to provide nutritious and hydrating meals for our pets. Though one has to be aware that creating nutritionally balanced meals for pets is challenging as they require a wide range of nutrients in specific proportions and it is time consuming.

For convenience, there are high-quality freeze-dried foods available that can be rehydrated with water before feeding. A more economical moisture-rich option is tinned food, but it’s important to note that tinned or canned food, while hydrating, does not match the quality of a fresh food diet. Key concerns of tinned or canned food being high level of processing, low quality ingredients, additives, preservatives, high sodium content and potential contaminants.

If your pet typically eats dry kibble, consider adding partially melted ice or some superfood hydrators like broths made from wholesome natural meat and organic vegetables to their diet. Broths would serve as a delicious hydrator and also ensure that our pets receive essential nutrients to stay healthy and hydrated during the hot summer months.

Curd/Yogurt/Kefir Yogurt or Kefir can provide a lot of relief to our pets in the hot summer months. It is high in calcium and protein and also an excellent probiotic which improves our little one’s gut health. Ensure that the Yogurt/ Kefir is unsweetened.
Adding Pet-safe Fruits and Vegetables with high water content to the little one’s bowl, would be the most refreshing thing for our pets. Here are a few hydrating fruits and veggies.

• Cucumber- Low in calories, perfect for hydration, contains vitamin K & C and supports the overall health of our fur buddies.
• Watermelon- Fat-free, cholesterol-free fruit, low in calories & sodium, made of 92% water content, fibre rich fruit. Watermelon also contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, which lowers risk of certain types of cancer and also improves heart health. Please ensure that the watermelon chunks are seedless and the rind is removed prior to serving.
• Carrots- Besides being a great source of fibre and Vitamin A, frozen carrots make for a great cooling snack for our fur buddies during the harsh summer weather.
• Blueberries – Blueberries are a natural source of essential vitamins A, C, E & K, and a powerhouse of antioxidants which are essential for our pet’s health. Frozen berries can be a cool treat for summer. You can also mash them up into a paste and freeze it in ice cube moulds, to be given as popsicles.
• Strawberries – Strawberries are a wonder fruit for our furry companions, with the right amount of iron, potassium, magnesium & calcium, and loaded with the goodness of Vitamin C, folic acid and antioxidants. Studies show that it has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. It also ensures that our little one’s tummy stays out of trouble.
  One interesting information 😊, are you aware that Strawberries contain a unique enzyme which helps whiten our fur babies teeth🦷
• MuskMelon- Muskmelon has a high water content, making it an excellent choice for keeping our pets hydrated during the hot summer months. It is low in calories, loaded with fibre, Vitamin A & C, potassium and antioxidants, thus beneficial for overall health. Freeze muskmelon chunks and add it to the little one’s bowl for that added burst of flavour. Feed the fruit in moderation, as excessive feeding might lead to digestive issues or weight gain.
  We should take care to remove the seeds and rind before serving muskmelon to our furry companions.
• Zucchini – Feeding zucchini to pets,especially during the hot summer months, can be a healthy and nutritious addition to their diets. It is rich in water, low in calories, packed with essential nutrients like Vitamin A,C & K, as well as potassium, and antioxidants. The dietary fibre in zucchini regulates our pets digestive system. Fresh organic zucchini is the best option. We can feed zucchini to our little ones in bit-sized pieces to avoid choking. Steaming or baking the zucchini is also a good option, avoid adding any seasoning or oil to it. Feed zucchini in moderation to avoid any digestive issues.
• Spinach – Spinach has high water content, which helps keep our pets hydrated during summer. It’s low in calories, and is packed with vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, calcium, potassium), and antioxidants. Lightly steam or blanch the spinach and add it to their regular meals. Do not add any seasoning. You can also make spinach and yogurt (unsweetened) frozen treats, which we are sure the little ones will devour.
• Pumpkin- Low in calories, excellent cooling qualities, provides essential vitamins A,C & E, minerals like potassium & iron and antioxidants that support overall health. It aids digestion and helps balance our pets internal body heat. Freeze pumpkin puree in ice cube trays for a refreshing treat for our furry pals. Although pumpkin is a great addition to our little one’s diet during summer, we should feed it in moderation to avoid digestive issues.
• Sweet Potato- Though not as water rich as other fruits, sweet potatoes contain a good amount of moisture contributing to our pet’s overall health. The high fibre content in them aids digestion. Besides, they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and manganese which supports our pets immune system. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes provide a slow-release energy source (due to low Glycemic Index), ensuring our pet stays active and playful throughout the day. Steamed or boiled sweet potatoes can be mashed and frozen in small cubes. These frozen treats are perfect for helping our pet cool down on hot days.

Cooling Meat

Adding lean proteins like turkey, duck and rabbit to our pets diet can be a cooling option for them. These meats are gentle on the stomach, low in saturated fats and easy to digest. Fishes like anchovies & sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and low in fat. They provide the essential nutrients without adding extra heat to the body.
Incorporating cooling food into our little ones bowl is an effective way to help them beat the heat and keep them healthy.

Avoid heat inducing food

High-fat foods, including fatty cuts of meat, can induce heat production in our furry companions, as their body works harder to break down the fat. So it is better to stick to lean cut meat during summer. Reduce the amount of dense carb foods such as certain grains, potatoes, tapioca, and legumes (e.g., peas, beans, and lentils), as it increases metabolic heat in our fur buddies, during digestion. Commercially available pet treats and processed food contain a high level of carbohydrates and fats that can contribute to heat production in our pets body. Always read the label on the product and choose minimally processed or fresh food options.

It’s uncommon to feed spicy food to pets, but sometimes pet parents thoughtlessly feed table scraps that contain spices or seasonings. Any food with added spices increases the body heat and leads to digestive issues in pets. As responsible pet parents one needs to be mindful of what we are feeding our little one, especially during the hot summer months.
By avoiding or limiting certain foods we can ensure that our pets stay cool, healthy and happy.

Light and Easy Meals

It is best to opt for lighter meals for our furry buddies during summer, as these are easier to digest. Heavy rich-food during summer puts a strain on their digestive system, weighs them down and makes them sluggish.

Adjusted Feeding schedule

Feeding schedules for pets during summer may need some adjustments due to the heat and changes in their activity levels.
We can provide 1-2 meals a day for adult dogs & cats and 3-4 small meals a day for puppies & kittens, depending on their size and activity level. Feed early in the morning and late in the evening when it’s cooler. Avoid feeding during the hottest part of the day. Be mindful of food spoilage in warm temperatures.

By maintaining the usual feeding frequency but adjusting the timing to cooler parts of the day and ensuring proper hydration, we can help keep our pets comfortable and healthy during the summer months.

ALFIE & CLAIRE SUMMER PET DIET SPECIAL: Meaty Ice Treats

These summer delights are directly from the A&C kitchen
Fishy Ice Bites
Ingredients
Bit sized Freeze-Dried Wild-Caught Salmon Treats and A&C Fish Broth
Instructions: Defrost 150-200 ml of Fish broth, add bit sized Premium Freeze-Dried Wild-Caught Salmon Treats to it and decant it into ice cube trays and refreeze. These Fishy Ice Bites will be a sure shot hit with both cats and dogs. If your kitty prefers warm meals, the broth mixture with Wild-Caught Salmon in it can be served at room temperature as well.

Lamb and Mutton Broth Coolers
Ingredients: Bit sized Freeze-Dried Farm Fresh Lamb Treats, A&C Mutton Broth and steamed sweet potatoes
Instructions: Defrost 150-200 ml of Mutton broth, add bit sized Premium Freeze-Dried Lamb Treats & mashed sweet potato to it. Decant it into ice cube trays and freeze. These coolers provide a hearty, satisfying treat to our little ones.

Meaty ice treats are the ultimate way to keep our pets cool, hydrated, and happy during the summer. With these easy-to-make recipes, we can provide our furry friends with nutritious, delicious, and refreshing snacks that they’ll love. So, beat the heat with these cool-down delights and watch our pets enjoy the summer like never before!

Alfie and Claire are here to help you BEAT THE HEAT with a special offer: get 15% off premium hydrating broth and delicious treats.

So to all the ‘COOL’ Mommies & Daddies of Fur Babies, BEAT THE HEAT by using our CODE: SUMMER15 SHOP NOW

Photo by Nick Agus Arya on Unsplash