Everything I ordered from Chewy to keep my Toronto rescue dog happy and healthy

Toronto has seen a summer filled with extreme heat. While we’ve all been doing our best to keep cool, our pets get just as hot as we do — plus, they have a harder time regulating their internal temperatures.

As an over-protective dog parent, my dog’s comfort is always something I look out for. My boyfriend and I adopted our dog, Omar, last November from Barbados, and he's already had a hard time acclimating to our Canadian winters and scorching summers.

We thought he'd be right at home in the heat — but this "extreme heat" is a different story. 

Even though Omar is a short-haired guy, dogs sweat through their paws and by panting, which doesn’t do a whole lot to immediately cool them down.

There's a lot to keep track of, and during hot days or wild weather, it's hard for people to run to the nearest pet store. Luckily, since I adopted my little guy, I've been using Chewy, an incredible one-stop shop that always has everything I need.

A pet-parent's go-to support

From eliminating the need to lug heavy bags of food to your door to keeping my furry friends entertained, Chewy has everything I need to stay on top of my day-to-day responsibilities.

Offering fast and free delivery across southwestern Ontario, it’s easy to get a great price on thousands of products. You also never have to worry about food running out, because you can set up easy, repeat deliveries with Autoship for everyday essentials like food, litter, or poop bags.

Chewy offers a wide selection of Canadian pet brands, making it easy to find trusted products tailored to your pet's needs. From everyday essentials to specialty items, brands like Frisco provide a variety of options for dogs and cats alike.

It's honestly a service I've relied on for all my pet essentials, and it was the first place I turned to help Omar overcome being overheated.

Keeping your dog cool in Toronto

One of the first heat protection protocols I tackled was Omar's sleep setup.

Even though it cools down at night, I wanted to make sure my guy was comfortable as he drifted off to the off-leash park in his head — or whatever he dreams about.

To help with this, I switched out his original dog bed with Chewy's Cooling Orthopedic Dog Crate Mat, and it's been a nighttime game-changer. The cooling fabric helps reduce his body temperature, and the extra support makes sure he’s all snug.

Keeping Omar's crate cozy and cool.

Also, the removable cover was a must — as black hair and a white mattress don't often mix.

Next up was figuring out Omar’s walks, where he has no choice but to endure the summer sun. I snagged a Cooling Pullover Dog Gaitor and a Travel Collapsible Silicone Dog Bowl for this one.

The gaitor kept his body heat down with just a rinse of cold water, and the dual-bowls were helpful for when he and his dog friend needed a drink of water. Not to mention, with an extra drink bowl at his side and a stylish look, he was the toast of the dog park!

At-home dog care

Body temperature isn’t the only thing about the heat you need to worry about. A dog's paw pads are a lot more sensitive than you might think, and hot asphalt or concrete can do a number on them if you’re not too careful.

To combat this, I opt to use the Dandylion Soft Paws Hydrating Dog Paw Lotion Cream. It's non-greasy and helps hydrate any potential cracks, plus it's formulated to be non-irritating and non-toxic. The applicator also did wonders for ensuring the lotion went on with ease.

Now, I don’t know about your dog, but mine can’t sit still without a little treat. The high-value treats I often turn to for any grooming-related activities Omar doesn't want to do are The Granville Island Dehydrated Sardine Dog Treats. 

While they don’t look the most appetizing for me, I’m not the one eating them — and there are no other additives. It’s just a single, high-quality sardine sourced in Canada.

If you're new to Chewy, you can save 20 per cent off your first three orders and $5 off your first app order. Now that’s something to bark about!

Check out Chewy's Canada shop today and help keep your dogs feeling (and looking) cool this summer.