Summer is the perfect time for outdoor adventures, backyard barbecues, hiking trails, and afternoons by the water. But warmer temperatures also mean it's time to take extra precautions to keep your dog and cat healthy and comfortable.
Supporting your pet's health during the summer starts with smart safety practices—and for many pet parents, it also includes feeding a fresh, balanced raw diet and choosing seasonal proteins like Rabbit, Duck, and Turkey.
👉Shop Now for Cooling Proteins at BJ’s Raw Pet Food
How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Warm Weather
Unlike people, dogs don't sweat to cool themselves down. They primarily regulate body temperature by panting and through their paw pads. On hot, humid days, they can overheat much more quickly than we realize.
Help your dog stay safe by:
• Providing fresh, cool water at all times.
• Walking during the cooler morning or evening hours.
• Avoiding hot pavement that can burn paw pads.
• Taking frequent breaks in the shade.
• Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle.
Watching for signs of heat stress, including excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers excellent guidance on preventing heat-related illness and recognizing warning signs before they become emergencies. Their Warm Weather Pet Safety guide is a valuable resource for every pet owner:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/warm-weather-pet-safety
Why a Raw Diet Supports Your Pet’s Summer Wellness
A balanced raw diet is designed to provide fresh, minimally processed nutrition using high-quality ingredients that closely resemble the foods dogs have evolved to eat.
Many raw feeders choose this approach because they appreciate benefits such as:
• Fresh, minimally processed ingredients
• High-quality animal proteins
• Nutrient-rich meals with no unnecessary fillers
• Support for healthy digestion
• Healthy skin and a shiny coat
• Lean muscle maintenance
• Variety through rotational feeding
Every dog is unique, but many pet parents report noticeable improvements in their dog's enthusiasm for mealtime, body condition, stool quality, and overall vitality after making the switch to raw.
What Are Cooling Proteins for Dogs?
If you've been feeding raw for a while, you've probably heard the term cooling proteins.
Proteins such as Rabbit, Duck, and Turkey are considered "cooling" foods that may help balance excess internal heat. Many raw feeders rotate these proteins during the summer months or choose them for pets that naturally seem to run warm.
These lean proteins are excellent seasonal additions to your dog's bowl!
Why Rotate Proteins?
Feeding a variety of proteins helps provide nutritional diversity while keeping meals exciting and interesting for our pets!
Our summer favorites include:
🥩 Rabbit Blend – A lean, highly palatable protein often chosen for dogs with food sensitivities.
🦆 Duck Blend – Rich in flavor while remaining a popular seasonal protein for rotational feeding.
🦃 Turkey Blend – A lean, nutritious favorite that's easy to incorporate into a balanced raw diet, year round!
Rotating proteins gives your dog new flavors and helps create a more varied feeding routine.
How to Safely Transition Your Dog to Raw Food This Summer
Switching to raw is easier than many pet parents expect. If you are new to raw feeding, we suggest you take a look at our Feeding Calculator Here (insert link)
Start with One Protein and Transition at Your Dog’s Pace
Some dogs switch overnight without issues, while others do better with a gradual transition over 5–10 days by slowly replacing their previous food with raw meals.
Begin with a single protein source and feed it consistently for several days before introducing additional proteins.
Monitor Your Dog
It's normal to notice changes in stool consistency during the transition. Most dogs adjust quickly as their digestive system adapts. You may notice that your pet will require less drinking water as they are absorbing the water and nutrients from the raw food. Their stools will be smaller and a different consistency as well.
Introduce Variety
Once your dog is thriving on raw, begin rotating proteins like rabbit, duck, turkey, beef, chicken, or lamb to add variety to their diet.
Nutrition Is Part of a Healthy Summer
Even with excellent nutrition, remember that food alone cannot prevent heatstroke.
Always combine a healthy diet with:
• Plenty of fresh water
• Shade and cool resting areas
• Sensible exercise during cooler parts of the day
• Careful monitoring for signs of overheating
• Good nutrition supports your dog's overall wellness, while smart summer habits help keep them safe.
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you're ready to make the switch, BJ's Raw Pet Food is here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our products and discover how raw feeding can benefit your feline family member.
🚨Transitioning to raw doesn't have to be stressful. By avoiding these common mistakes and choosing a trusted partner like BJ’s Raw Pet Food, you are giving your pet the gift of a longer, healthier life.
Ready to start? 👉 [Shop our Beginner-Friendly Introductory Packages] 👉 [Talk to our Lancaster Team: (717) 745-8899]
Real Food, Real People - Raw, Unprocessed Food for your Pet and Live Customer Support 🚘 Live close by? Visit us Mon - Fri 8am-5:30pm EST, Saturday 9am - 3:00 pm EST. 📍1518 Millport Road, Lancaster, PA. 📲(717) 745-8899
OUR MISSION is to feed pets the way nature intended—keeping them healthy with fresh, raw foods made only from whole ingredients, free from preservatives, synthetic vitamins and minerals, and unnecessary processing.
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