Feeding your pet cooling foods can help them feel more hydrated and balanced, especially during the warmer months. But cooling foods can also help reduce inflammation, any time of year. Here are five foods that your pet will love, that will also help them cool down.

Summer may be drawing to a close, but in many parts of the country, the hot weather will still linger a bit longer. Feeding your pet cooling foods in their CrockPET Diet, or even as a snack, can help them cool down a bit.
Even if the summer heat doesn’t seem to bother your pet, fall is just around the corner bringing its own menace. Any time the seasons change, stirrings of new pollens can also gets sensitive pets stirred up. Inflammation can cause itchy skin, paws and ears. Adding cooling foods to their daily regimen can help reduce this inflammation, so you can enjoy the outdoors together.

Here are a few cooling foods that are not only healthful, but delicious!

1. Turkey

Turkey (primarily the breast cut) is a great protein to use in your Original CrockPET Diet rotation. Not only is it a great, cool protein, it is also nice and lean. This poultry is high in protein and very low in saturated fat (a great combo for those pets working to shed pounds and reach a healthy weight). Turkey is high in vitamin B and zinc, and also selenium – which is essential for healthy thyroid hormone metabolism.

2. Broccoli

This brassica veggie is loaded with a long list of vitamins and nutrients. Broccoli is a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins B and E, and as much vitamin c as an orange. You’ll also find vitamin K, folate, selenium and potassium in this veggie. Surprisingly enough, broccoli also contains a good amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. The serious nutritional lunch this vegetable brings makes it a great CrockPET ingredient, and even a nice crunchy snack.

3. Summer Squash

Here’s another power packed veggie (though it’s technically a fruit!) for your crockpot. This yellow squash is high in folate, magnesium, potassium and iron. Vitamins A, C and B6 also come in this package. Beats carotene and lutein are also par for the course, protecting the body from free radicals and improving eye health, respectively. High levels of manganese also helps your pet maintain healthy bones (not the ones they’re chewing on).

4. Celery

Celery can be used in your CrockPET recipe, but pets love the crunch of raw celery as a snack! Although celery is mostly water (so it’s hydrating, too), it contains lots of dietary fiber. Vitamin K is present in impressive amounts, along with potassium, folate and vitamins A and C. And here’s a fun fact: celery contains pthalides, an organic compound that can lower stress levels and blood pressure.

5. Watermelon

Okay, this one is pretty strictly for moderate snacking. Watermelon is a great cooling food – even the thought of it is refreshing. Another food that is comprised mainly of water, this is a treat you can offer your pet that will wet their whistle. Watermelon contains the amino acid l-citruline, which has been shown the relieve muscle soreness (great for active pets!). Potassium and magnesium found in this fruit can also help your pet’s body detox and avoid kidney stones. The natural diuretic property of this fruit are also great for kidneys. Make sure to remove any seeds before you offer this treat to your pet.

Cooling Foods for All Seasons

The list of cooling foods goes on and on, and they can be consumed safely year round. Many pets tend to “run hot,” so feeding a diet full of cooling foods is a great way to keep them feeling balanced and healthy. Remember to always keep a healthy rotation and variety of proteins and vegetables in your pet’s diet.

Feeding your pet The Original CrockPET Diet makes it easy to provide variety in their diet, keeping them cool, comfortable and healthy.