Summer’s arrival means a host of necessities: swimsuits, sandals, tanning lotion, just to name a few. But what about your pets’ summer needs? You wouldn’t think of leaving them at home when you go to the beach, just as you wouldn’t think of de-robing on the playa without oiling up your body first. We asked a couple local pet stores what they recommend to get your furry ones ready for summer.
Bone Adventure (5045 France Avenue, 612.920.2201, boneadventure.com) recommends water bottles and travel bowls for when you take your dog with you on a trip. And because pooch will want to swim in the lake too, pick up a rubber dog collar, a buoyant “float coat” ($50-70) and floatable fetch toys. Since dogs are extremely sensitive to weather, Bone Adventure owner Brian Fulmer encourages outfitting him or her with a “thunder shirt” ($40-46) that will calm any thunderstorm anxiety.
Laura Bednarczyk, owner of nearby Lulu & Luigi (3699 Joppa Ave. in St. Louis Park, 952.929.1200) says that some pet owners buy doggy life jackets ($25-50) purely for aesthetic reasons, though they are functional because your pet can paddle along for hours. If you’re at the beach all day, your dog will definitely get hungry, so pick up a Freezy Pup Kit ($20), an organic frozen treat for dogs. Lulu & Luigi also offers two sizes of unsinkable neoprene dog toys (fish, seahorse and sharks: $10-12), a travel water bowl that fits handily into your car’s cup holder ($22) and reflective dog collars in blue and raspberry colors ($18), which Bednarczyk says are great for evening walks.
