Looking for pawfect ways to make the most of the sunshine with your four-legged friend? Enjoy the BorrowMyDoggy guide to a dog friendly summer. Whether it’s sandy paws, delicious treats or zoomie zones, we’ve rounded up some tail-wagging adventures, tasty treats and fun activities to keep your pup safe and happy all summer long 💚
Wagtastic Summer Fun
🇬🇧 Dog-Friendly Street Parties
Planning a party? Whether it’s a neighbourhood get together or national holiday, your pup can join the fun too! With a little prep, street parties can be a tail-wagging treat.
Party planning ideas:
- Set up a pup-friendly snack station with treats and water
- Create a shaded chill-out zone for rest breaks
- Pop on a dog-safe bandana for extra cuteness
- Keep an eye on noise and excitement levels; not all dogs enjoy crowds
🎈 A sociable sniff-about is fab, but always tune in to your pup’s comfort level.
🐚 Best UK Dog-Friendly Beaches
If you're staying closer to home, there are plenty of amazing beaches across the UK that welcome dogs with open paws.
Top picks include:
- Rhossili Bay, Wales - often named one of the best in the world!
- Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland – wide open spaces and castles too
- Camber Sands, East Sussex – perfect for paddles and play
☀️ Always double check local restrictions and tide times before heading off on your beachy adventure.
🏖️ Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Cornwall is a dog’s dream for coastlines, with miles of sandy beaches where dogs are welcome to dig, zoom and splash.
Some tail-wagging Cornish favourites:
- Perranporth Beach: dog-friendly all year round
- Watergate Bay: two miles of space for zoomies!
- Holywell Bay: perfect for scenic strolls
🌊 Don’t forget to pack fresh water, shade and a towel for those sandy paws.
🐾 Unleash the Fun at These Doggy Playgrounds
Zoomie heaven! Doggy play parks are a fab way to let your pup run wild (safely) in enclosed, pup-approved spaces. Often with agility equipment and sniff zones.
Why we love them:
- Safe, secure spaces for off-lead play
- Great socialising opportunity with other pooches
- Ideal for burning off energy in a controlled environment
🎾 Bring a favourite toy, some fresh water and plenty of treats for high paws all around!
Fun Outdoor Doggy Activities
Whether you’re heading outdoors or keeping things chill at home, summer with your pup is all about fun, enrichment and those tail-wagging moments that make memories. Here’s a pawsome set of ideas to inspire your next adventure.
🐾 How to Entertain Your Dog When It’s Hot Outside
When it’s too warm for walkies, there are still lots of ways to keep your pup’s tail wagging indoors.
- Try hide-and-sniff games using their favourite treats
- Pop some toys in the freezer for a cool twist on playtime
- Teach a new trick or brush up on basic training
- Set up a mini treasure hunt or puzzle game
💡 Mental stimulation can be just as tiring (and satisfying!) as physical exercise.
🌳 Fun Outdoor Activities for Dogs
For days when the sun’s shining but not sizzling, there’s no shortage of adventures waiting.
- Plan a woodland walk with plenty of shade and smells
- Try a dog-friendly hike or nature trail
- Visit a secure dog park for off-lead fun
- Explore local dog-friendly markets, gardens or trails
🐶 Just remember water, shade and plenty of breaks. Comfort first!
🏄 Paddle Boarding with Your Dog
Fancy a splashy challenge? Paddle boarding with your pup can be a brilliant bonding activity (and a bit of a giggle too!).
- Start on land first so your dog can get comfy with the board
- Use a doggy life jacket for safety
- Choose calm waters and take it slow
- Keep sessions short and always make it fun
🌊 Not every dog will love it, but for water-loving pups it can be an adventure to remember.
🧺 Dogs and Picnics: Tips for a Pawfect Day Out
Picnic season is here! With a little prep, your pup can be the guest of honour at your next blanket-based feast.
- Bring dog-friendly snacks like plain cooked chicken or carrot sticks
- Pack a travel bowl and plenty of fresh water
- Choose shady spots and avoid areas with BBQs or food scraps
- Always keep an eye on curious noses near the human treats!
🧡 A sunny picnic with your pup? Sounds like the pawfect summer day.
Our Favourite Summer Recipaws
We all need to cool off during this summer heatwave, including our four-legged friends. One way to do that is with our favourite refreshing summer recipaws! Chill out with these summer treats. Frozen yoghurt bones, delicious doggie smoothies and tasty pupsicles all feature in our wagtastic collection of recipes for pooches.
All are vet reviewed and safe to make at home for your pup. Each one’s super easy to make and a lovely way to show your furry friend just how much they mean to you 🐾💛
🦴 Frozen Yoghurt Bones Recipaw
Delightful bites, made using natural yoghurt, peanut butter and banana, a trio of tail-wagging goodness. Just blend, pour into bone shaped moulds, and freeze. You’ll have a tasty snack that’s creamy, cooling and packed with pup approved flavour.
👉 Great for: a quick treat on warm days or a reward after a long walk.
🍓 Fruity Smoothie Sips Recipaw
Treat your dog to a berrylicious smoothie, featuring strawberries, blueberries and banana. Blend and freeze in small cups or moulds. These fruity wonders are not just refreshing, they’re bursting with vitamins too!
👉 Great for: dogs who love fruity flavours.
🐶 Doggy Jelly Recipaw
Turn snack time into a fun, wobbly adventure! This recipe uses low-sodium stock (chicken or veggie) with dog-safe vegetables like peas and carrots. Once it’s set, it becomes a playful and pawsitively tasty treat.
👉 Great for: pups who love new textures.
🍦 Pupsicles Recipaw
If your pup loves crunching on ice, this recipe’s a dream! Blend peanut butter and banana, pour into ice lolly moulds (stick optional!), and freeze. You can even pop in a carrot stick for an edible handle.
👉 Great for: a long-lasting lickable treat during garden playtime.
🍉 Watermelon & Mango Ice Pups Recipaw
This tropical twist combines hydrating watermelon and juicy mango. Just be sure to remove any seeds or skin first. Blitz, freeze, and serve for a naturally sweet, dog-safe delight.
👉 Great for: hot summer days after a game of fetch in the park.
Always check with your vet if your pup has any special dietary needs. And don’t forget, the real treat is spending time together. Snacks are just a tasty bonus 💚
Want to see the full recipes with tips? Pop over to our ReciPaws collection on Doggypedia and get your freezer paws at the ready.
High paws for happy snacking!
Keep Your Canine Cool
Hot days can be a bit much for our four-legged friends, and sometimes it’s just too hot. But don’t worry, we’ve got a whole basket of pawsome ideas to help keep dogs cool and comfortable.
🐾 Brachycephalic Buddies: Extra TLC
Short-snouted cuties like Frenchies, Pugs and Bulldogs can struggle a little more when the sun’s out. Because of their smooshy faces, they find it harder to pant efficiently, which is their way of cooling down.
Top tips for these special snouts:
- Avoid midday heatwalks; early mornings or late evenings are best
- Keep them in the shade with cool water always available
- Use a cooling mat or damp towel for quick relief
- Never leave them alone in a car or warm room, even for a few minutes
👃 A little awareness goes a long way in keeping our best pals safe and happy.
❄️ Cool Kit for Canines
From chill mats to nifty bandanas and even cooling vests, there are so many handy gadgets to help keep your pup’s temperature in check. Dog safe fans, paddling pools and ice toys can also turn your garden into a doggy day spa!
BorrowMyDoggy fave finds:
- Cooling jackets for longer outings
- Freezeable toys for chewy fun
- Cooling collars for a fashionable breeze on the go
💡 Just remember: no human products unless they’re 100% dog safe.
🌿 Easy Breezy Summer Tips
Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference.
Here’s how to help your dog chill out:
- Stick to shady spots on walks and avoid hot pavements
- Keep indoor spaces ventilated or pop on a fan
- Try frozen treats (like our Recipaws goodies!) to keep hydration up
- Trim excess fur, but never shave double-coated breeds!
🪭 Think of it as your dog's summer holiday guide; sun smart and tail-wagging.
🥵 Know the Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke in dogs can come on fast and it’s really serious. But totally avoidable if we stay alert.
Look out for:
- Heavy panting or drooling
- Lethargy or confusion
- Bright red gums or vomiting
🚨 If your dog shows these signs, get them into shade, cool them down gradually with tepid water (never cold) and call a vet straight away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
🍦 Treat Time: Dog Ice Cream Cafés
Fancy a little summer outing with your pup? There are some brilliant dog-friendly cafés dotted around the UK serving up scrummy doggy ice cream. It’s perfect for a sweet cool-down.
It’s a win-win: you get a cuppa and cake, your pup gets their own special scoop. What’s not to love?
🧁 Be sure to check ahead for dog menus and shady seating, and don’t forget a bowl of water to keep your pooch hydrated too.
Whether you’re staying local or heading out on a hike, keeping cool is all about planning ahead and tuning in to your pup’s needs. After all, happy dogs make for the waggiest memories 💚
Stay cool, stay safe, and don’t forget to pack a water bowl!
Keeping Your Furry Friend Safe
From beach runs to garden snoozes, summer’s bursting with tail-wagging opportunities. And with a little care, it can be safe and happy for every pup. Here's how to make the most of the sunshine together 💚
🌊 Can All Dogs Swim?
Not every pup is a natural water baby, and that’s completely normal! While some breeds love to splash, others might prefer to keep their paws on dry land.
Doggy paddle tips:
- Start slow with shallow water and gentle encouragement
- Try a doggie life vest for extra confidence
- Always supervise swim time and avoid strong currents
- Watch for signs your pup’s had enough
🐕 Whether it’s a splash in a stream or a garden paddling pool, safety always comes first!
🏖️ How to Keep Your Dog Safe at the Beach
Sandy paws, open spaces, interesting scents! The beach is a dream day out for many dogs, but there are a few things to sniff out before setting off.
Beach safety checklist:
- Bring lots of fresh water, so there’s no slurping salty waves!
- Keep them cool with shade and rest breaks
- Check the sand temperature and avoid hot paws
- Watch for hazards like jellyfish, sharp shells or BBQ leftovers
🐾 Top tip: give your pup a rinse after to remove salt and sand from their fur.
🌿 Top Tips for a Dog-Safe Garden
Your garden can be a dog’s paradise with a few easy tweaks to keep them safe and remove plants that are toxic to dogs.
Make it pup-perfect by:
- Planting dog-safe greenery (no lilies, foxgloves or daffodils!)
- Fencing securely to prevent curious escape artists
- Creating shady chill-out zones with fresh water
- Keeping tools and chemicals out of paw’s reach
🌼 Bonus idea: add a doggy digging spot for extra tail wags!
🍖 How to Have a Dog-Friendly BBQ
BBQ season is full of sizzle and smells, and dogs are usually first in line for a sniff! But not everything on your plate is safe for their tummies.
Safe BBQ bites:
- Plain grilled chicken, sweet potato or courgette (no seasoning)
- Doggy ice lollies or a frozen toy for warm days
- Plenty of fresh water and a shady space to relax
Skip the scraps:
- No onions, bones, sausages, corn on the cob or desserts
- Keep food out of reach; pups are quicker than you think!
🐶 Sharing a BBQ with your pup is pawsome. Just be sure to keep it tummy-friendly and treat with care.
With the right prep and a splash of doggy joy, summer can be a season full of Recipaws-worthy moments, safe swims, and waggy BBQs. Here's to sunshine, sniffs, and snuggles. The BorrowMyDoggy way 🐾💛
