8 Great Ways to Cool Down the Dog Days of Summer!
Its going to get hot out there real hot. NYC already had 85+ degree weather in May! So we put together 8 great ways to cool down your best friend:
Doggy Froyo from Yappy Treats Cart.
Yes, this is 100% a real thing. This muzzle-drooling cart has been in business in NYC for two years now. They carry flavors such as peanut butter banana carob, carrot tuna, and pumpkin bliss. Dog-gone!
Shady Business
North Manhattan has Fort Tryon up near the Cloisters. It’s huge, has plenty of tree coverage and even has a dog park and run. Of course there is Central Park. On the west side at the 103rd entrance there are some nice shade covered areas to walk through. Forest Park in Queens is magnificent and seemingly endless. North Brooklyn has McCarren Park which has ample shade and is a hot spot for dog owners. South Brooklyn has Prospect Park that has more than one dog park, plus its just giant, dense with tree coverage, and an over-all fantastic place to spend an afternoon.
Sniffin' Beach Bums
Many dogs love the water and most of those that don't still enjoy a walk on the beach. Dogs are not allowed on any NYC beaches between May 1st and September 30th. However they are allowed on-leash on the following boardwalks: Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Midland Beach, and South Beach.
Toast Your Bowls
Several bars in New York are cool with your dog joining you for a drink. Some pooch-bowl hot spots include Mission Delores in Brooklyn, The Barking Dog in the upper east side, LIC bar in, yup, Long Island City, and Tom & Jerry's in the lower east side.
Riverside
Nothing beats a cool breeze on a hot summer's day. Walking along the river is a great way to catch one. Hudson River Park in Chelsea and Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo are excellent walks to take your dog on to cool down.
Doggy Paddle 101
This is New York, dogs here are city dogs, we get it. They might not all be Micheal Yelps. Why not take them to swimming classes at Water4Dogs? Its great exercise and no stress on their joints.
Sea Monster
For those dogs that are born natural swimmers, there are some places in NYC that they are allowed to get their paws wet. Queens' Francis Lewis Park, and Brooklyn's Prospect Park Dog Beach are the best options.
Wet Their Nose!
Please, please, please keep your dog cool on hot days. Its easy to forget but extreme heat can be very dangerous to a dog. Conveniently two doggy cool-down gadgets have become more commonly available in recent years. One is the collapsible bowl, this thing folds up to pocket size. The other is the lick-able water bottle top. I would recommend either or both, they are super easy ways to make sure your dog stays hydrated on the go.
