Old-Fashioned Fun
Half-Pint. Laura. Those words are synonymous with visions of wholesome yet hard pioneer life. Joy was found in simpler things and experiences. Laura Ingalls Wilder even said, “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” Can’t you just see her and Jack running down the hill in the opening scene of “Little House on the Prairie?”
We are lucky to live now, though, because we can balance fresh air and sunshine with fans and air conditioning if we need to. So can our pets. We may not have a Jack, but your favorite critter will be most appreciative of all the summer fun you can provide.
Inside or Out?
Whether you and your pet partake in indoor or outdoor fun depends on their temperament and ability to stay healthy in the heat. Whether you’re outside in slightly more temperate weather or inside during the hottest, stickiest dog days of summer, there are plenty of ways to keep your pet engaged and entertained. You and your dog might enjoy typical activities:
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Boating
- Dog parks
or slightly less typical outdoor activities like:
- Creating a dog parkour or agility course in your backyard
- Creating a cooling oasis in a kiddie pool
- Having a pet picnic to which you invite your dog’s friends and their people
- Taking portraits of your favorite pet in scenic summer places
Of course, you’ll want to protect your pet’s paws by being aware of the temperature of pavement and concrete. You might even want to pack a dog “diaper” bag with treats and necessities for an outing. You can take:
- A collapsible bowl
- Fresh water they’re used to drinking
- Food and/or treats
- Dog sunscreen
- Tweezers for picking off ticks
- Poop bags
- A properly fitted life jacket for water events
- Something for them to lie down on (towel or blanket)
You should definitely make sure your dog’s vaccines are up-to-date and that they’re wearing tags or even have a chip in case you get separated.
Other Pets and Indoor Activities
There are several creative ways to have fun indoors with your dog or other pets, too. You can make yummy frozen treats for your dog to enjoy on a hot summer day or create paw art with paint and paper or a canvas if they’ll let you.
Cats, rabbits, and other small pets might enjoy a game of hide-and-seek with treats, playing with cardboard boxes, or even playing with a fishing pole-like toy with a lure on the end. Cats might enjoy pouncing on a towel being dragged across the floor, and some cats even like to swat at bubbles from bubble wands.
Most pets would become immersed in a snuffle mat. You can even make one yourself and let your pet engage in the stimulation provided by foraging through it for treats.
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital in Shoreview, MN, is here to care for your pet or provide doggy day care to keep them loved, engaged, and entertained while you’re at work. Call us at 651-484-3331 or email at [email protected] for excellent pet care where your pet is treated like our own.
Image credit: Pexels