Between trips to the beach, hikes, and enjoying picturesque picnics, there's no shortage of summer activities you can enjoy with your furry friend in tow. However, with all that swimming, snacking, and playing in the sand lined up, you're not the only one who could use a break from the heat throughout the day—it's essential you make sure your pets aren't overheating, too. After all, your favorite furball can't just reach for a water bottle or take off a layer of clothing when they start feeling uncomfortably warm. The good news? We've rounded up the best of the best summer accessories to help your furry pal stay cool and hydrated, no matter how hot it gets outside. And for more summer essentials, check out these 23 Red, White, and Blue Accessories You Need This Fourth of July.
Best Life's editors have scoured the internet to bring you the best products out there, and we're hoping you'll love them as much as we do. Full disclosure: we may earn a commission for anything you purchase through links on this page, but that doesn't mean you'll pay more for them (we'd never do that to you!). Pricing and availability are accurate as of the piece's initial publication date, but it's the internet and we can't guarantee that these sweet, sweet deals will last forever, so scoop them up before someone else does!
1 | A Collapsible Dog Bowl
Amazon$10 for 2; buy now at Amazon
The warm summer weather provides a wonderful opportunity to spend time outside with your furry friend. However, if you plan on taking your pet with you on a hike or to the beach, you need to make sure that you have a water bowl handy to keep your pooch properly hydrated. While the giant metal water bowl you keep at home isn't exactly portable, this collapsible dog bowl from Amazon is easy to clip and carry. And though they can hold up to 25 fluid ounces of water when they're open, these bowls fold down to a thickness of under an inch. And for more products that will simplify your life, stock up on these 20 Amazing Subscription Boxes That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier.
2 | A Handy Dandy Cooling Collar
Amazon$30$25; buy now at Amazon
Your dog gets overheated under the scorching summer sun just like you do. Thankfully, there's an easy way to keep them cool, even when you're far from the air conditioned comfort of home. This cooling bandana is fitted with an ice pack so that Fido can frolic outdoors without overheating.
3 | A Cooling Pet Bed
Bed Bath & Beyond$40; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond
With all the fur on their bodies, dogs and cats have a hard time sleeping through the night in the summertime. Luckily, your animal will sleep much more soundly with this TheraCool pet bed. It's fitted with cooling gel pads that are designed to "absorb and dissipate excess heat," so you and your pet can say goodbye to restless, sweaty nights. And for more summer must-haves, check out these 20 Genius Gifts for the Independence Day Fans in Your Life.
4 | A Solar-Powered Fan For Your Dog's Kennel
WayfairStarts at $83; buy now at Wayfair
With no windows and just a single opening to enter and exit through, your dog's kennel has a tendency to get pretty steamy in the summer—but not with this solar-powered fan from ASL Solutions. It's designed to sit atop dog houses and kennels, ensuring that your dog's miniature house maintains a comfortable temperature.
5 | A Dog-Friendly Water Fountain
Walmart$22$14; buy now at Walmart
You won't ever again have to worry about your dog running out of water with this paw-enabled water fountain. Both a refreshing drink station and a fun summer activity for your furry friend, it's an affordable investment that goes a long way.
6 | A Cute Cooling Vest
ChewyStarts at $33; buy now at Chewy
Simply throw some water on this aqua vest and watch as it slowly evaporates and keeps your dog cool throughout the day. And don't worry about the material of the vest causing your dog to overheat: It's specifically designed with mesh layers to allow for uninterrupted air circulation. And to beat the heat yourself, check out these 20 Surprising Things That Can Keep You Cooler All Summer.
7 | A Freezable Toy That Can Hold Treats
ChewyStarts at $5; buy now at Chewy
Keep your dog cool and entertained at the same time with this freezable penguin treat holder made by PetSafe. Whether your pet's snack of choice is peanut butter or yogurt, you can fill this frozen friend with an array of yummy spreads and snacks and cool your dog down in a way they're sure to love.
8 | A Cooling Pad For Felines and Canines
WayfairStarts at $18; buy now at Wayfair
Give your pet a cool spot to lounge on the carpet with this gel mat from Archie & Oscar. The best part is that it doesn't even need to be frozen or refrigerated: As soon as your dog or cat sits down, the cooling properties of the gel will immediately activate!
9 | A Smart Bowl That Keeps Water Cold
ChewyStarts at $15; buy now at Chewy
You don't particularly enjoy drinking lukewarm water from the sink, so why should your dog or cat have to? Instead, keep your pet properly hydrated with this polar pet bowl that keeps water both fresh and chilled. It's lined with a gel core that, when frozen, can keep water cold for hours at a time.
10 | A Crate Fan
Amazon$15; buy now at Amazon
Outdoor pets especially will benefit from this small but strong fan that clips right onto crates. One Amazon user wrote that her outdoor pet rabbits "love these fans on hot days" as "they are quiet and not so strong that [it] is unsettling," even to notoriously timid pets.
11 | A Pawsome Pet Pool
Amazon$45; buy now at Amazon
Kiddie pools might be the right size for your pet, but the plastic material they're made out of is all too easy for your dog or cat to rip with their claws. That's why, instead of investing in a tiny pool made for human children, you should buy this one built specifically for pets. Made out of PVC material, this pet pool is both sturdy and safe—and since it's inflatable, it's easy to store in a small space during the colder months of the year.
12 | A Frozen Chew Toy
Chewy$10$4; buy now at Chewy
If you plan on adopting a teething puppy this summer, then you'll want—nay, need—to buy at least one of these freezable bone-shaped chew toys. They're durable, they're great for your dog's teeth, and best of all, they're an easy way to keep your canine cool during the dog days of summer.
13 | A Dog-Friendly Pool Float
FrontgateStarts at $52; buy now at Frontgate
Why should humans be the only ones who get to lounge comfortably on pool floats this summer? With this puffy pool accessory from Frontgate, your pooch can join you in the water and float the day away without ever having to go full doggy paddle. It's the best way to cool down and sunbathe simultaneously!
14 | A Special Towel For After Your Pet's Swim Sesh
Amazon$14; buy now at Amazon
When your pet's ready to hop out of the pool, dry them off with this towel designed with dogs in mind. Not only is it especially absorbent, it also contains antibacterial agents that work to eliminate that nasty wet dog smell.
15 | A Pair of Booties to Protect Your Pooch's Paws
PetcoStarts at $38; buy now at Petco
Pavement and sand can get seriously hot when the temperature starts to heat up. And while you have shoes to keep your soles safe from scorching surfaces, your dog doesn't—until now, that is. Though your pup probably won't love them at first, these dog booties will ensure that your dog's pads don't get burnt when you take them outside for a summer stroll.
16 | A Cool Canopy Bed
Bed Bath & BeyondStarts at $20; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond
Your dog loves lounging with you outside while you sip on some homemade lemonade and soak up the summer sun. What they don't love nearly as much? Sitting in the direct sunlight for hours at a time. Thankfully, they don't have to with this shaded pet bed. It's designed with a canopy that will keep your dog cool no matter how much time you spend in the backyard.
17 | Sunscreen!
Chewy$35; buy now at Chewy
Think your dog can't get a sunburn? Think again. Though fur protects most of your pup's body, other areas like their nose and ears are left vulnerable to the sun's harmful UV rays. Since animals can't safely use human sunscreen, this dog-approved sun balm is a great investment in both your dog's health and skin.
18 | A Tropical Visor
Swim Outlet$12$8; buy now at Swim Outlet
Fashionable, fun, and great for keeping Fido shaded, this visor hat is the perfect way to keep your dog out of the sun no matter where you go. Of course, there's no guarantee that your dog will actually wear the hat—but if you never try, you'll never know!
19 | A Mini Outdoor Chaise Lounger
Overstock$212; buy now at Overstock
Give your dog an outdoor lounger that lets them relax in comfort and style. Sure, this canine chaise might be a little over-the-top, but your furry offspring deserves the best, don't they?
20 | A Portade Pet Shader
Bed Bath & Beyond$80; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond
This summer, don't hit the beach without this portable pet shader in tow. No matter which spot you end up choosing in the sand, this accessory will guarantee that your pooch has somewhere shady to sleep and cool down. And for more warm weather essentials, check out these 100 Amazing Summer Buys Under $100.
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