Sip & Slurp 7 Tasty Summer Mix-Ins for Your Dog

Parmeshwar Patel | May 21, 2025, 08:00 IST
Summer Mix-Ins for Your Dog
( Image credit : Freepik, Times Pets )
Help your dog beat the summer heat with these 7 tasty, healthy water mix-ins! From coconut water and fruit juices to bone broth and mint, each addition is designed to keep your pup cool, hydrated, and happy. This guide offers safe, simple ways to turn boring bowls into tail-wagging treats—all while boosting your dog’s wellness and joy.

Because plain water? That’s so last season.

Dog
Dog
( Image credit : Freepik )
You know that feeling when you step inside on a scorching summer day and gulp down a tall glass of iced lemonade or coconut water? It’s like your body says thank you in a thousand tiny ways. Now imagine being covered in fur, walking on hot pavements, and only having the same ol’ bowl of lukewarm water to beat the heat.

That’s your dog’s summer, unless you switch things up.

Hydration is crucial for our furry companions, especially during the sweltering months. But dogs can be picky—or just plain uninterested—when it comes to drinking enough water. If you’ve ever worried about your pup not lapping up enough, you're not alone. The good news? You can make their water bowl way more exciting—and way more effective—with a few delicious, dog-safe additions.

Ready to bring joy to your pup’s bowl? Let’s dive into these slurp-worthy, vet-approved summer mix-ins that do more than hydrate—they show your dog just how loved they are.

1. Coconut Water: The Island Vibe in a Bowl

Coconut Water
Coconut Water
( Image credit : Freepik )
You know that tropical, soothing taste of coconut water on a hot day? Dogs love it too! Coconut water is rich in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium—nature’s way of restoring what the sun takes out.

How to serve: Mix just a splash of unsweetened coconut water into your dog’s regular water bowl. Serve it cool, and watch their nose perk up with curiosity.

Pro tip: Keep it occasional. Too much can lead to tummy trouble—but in moderation, it’s a sweet summer surprise.

2. Watermelon Juice: Summer’s Juiciest Treat

Watermelon Juice
Watermelon Juice
( Image credit : Freepik )
There’s something almost cinematic about watching a dog eat watermelon—pink juice on their nose, tail wagging, eyes lit up. Watermelon is over 90% water, loaded with vitamins, and sweet enough to feel like a treat without being overindulgent.

How to serve: Blend seedless watermelon flesh into juice, strain it, and mix a little into their water bowl—or freeze it into ice cubes for extra fun!

Memory moment: You’ll want your camera ready. Watermelon cubes are known to cause spontaneous puppy zoomies.

3. Muskmelon (Kharbooja) Juice: An Indian Summer Classic

Muskmelon Juice
Muskmelon Juice
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If you grew up enjoying muskmelon in the Indian summer, you know how cooling and comforting it is. Turns out, dogs enjoy its gentle sweetness too—especially when it's cold and served in love.

How to serve: Remove the seeds and skin, blend the orange flesh, strain it, and serve chilled in small amounts with their water.

Heartwarming fact: Some senior dogs, who drink less water, find melon juice more enticing than plain water.

4. Bone Broth: Comfort in Every Sip

Bone Broth
Bone Broth
( Image credit : Freepik )
If there’s one smell that can get a sleepy dog to trot into the kitchen, it’s bone broth simmering on the stove. Rich, savory, and full of nutrients, bone broth is more than just tasty—it’s healing.

How to serve: Homemade is best—boil bones slowly (without salt or onion), cool it, skim the fat, and add a spoonful to their water or freeze it into doggy broth cubes.

Why it matters: Perfect for pups who need a little boost—whether it’s joint support, gut health, or just a reason to smile.

5. Mint-Infused Water: Cool Breath, Calmer Mood

Mint-Infused Water
Mint-Infused Water
Minty-fresh isn't just for humans. A few fresh mint leaves can turn your dog’s water into a cool, calming treat. It’s not only refreshing—it can even help soothe digestion and freshen breath.

How to serve: Add 2–3 fresh mint leaves to your dog’s bowl. Let it steep for 10–15 minutes, remove the leaves, and serve.

Caution with care: Use only safe mints like spearmint—not peppermint or pennyroyal, which are toxic to dogs.

6. Frozen Blueberry Cubes: Hydration Meets Fun

Frozen Blueberry Cubes
Frozen Blueberry Cubes
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Ever seen a dog play hockey with an ice cube? Add a blueberry in the middle, and now it’s a full-on summer party. Blueberries are tiny antioxidant powerhouses, and when frozen in water, they become a hydrating game.

How to serve: Drop a few into their water bowl or freeze blended berries into treat cubes.

Great for enrichment: Especially helpful for dogs with a ton of energy on hot days—they stay cool and entertained.

7. Herbal Tea: The Calming Cup for Canines

Herbal Tea
Herbal Tea
( Image credit : Freepik )
Just like chamomile helps us unwind, it can help dogs too. Herbal teas like chamomile or ginger (when properly prepared) can be a soothing summer drink for pups who need a little calm—or just a change from the usual.

How to serve: Brew a weak tea with organic chamomile or ginger, let it cool completely, and mix a small amount into their water bowl.

Ideal for: Nervous travelers, storm-fearing pups, or dogs with sensitive tummies (but always check with your vet first).

A Sip of Love in Every Bowl

Here’s the thing: these aren’t just hydration hacks. They’re tiny rituals of care. You’re not just cooling your dog down—you’re saying, I see you, I love you, and I want you to feel good.

Whether it's freezing blueberries into cubes for your playful Lab, or adding chamomile to calm your senior Spaniel, every thoughtful addition becomes a moment of connection.
Dogs may not tell us in words when they’re uncomfortable—but they show us. A slow gait, less play, a half-empty water bowl. Summer can be hard on them. But you? You’ve got the tools to make it easier—and a whole lot tastier.

This season, let every bowl be a mini celebration. Of hydration, of health, and of the bond that makes them family.
Because love, after all, is in the little things. Even in a bowl of water with a splash of coconut or a cube of blueberry.

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