Your dog has been out there doing Colorado summer with you. Hiking the front range, swimming in Horsetooth, burning through trail miles in the afternoon heat. And unlike you, they can't say "I'm wiped" or reach for their own recovery kit.
Most dog owners think about water, food, and shade — which are the basics, and they matter. But a lot of the dogs we hear about from customers here are hitting mid-summer worn out without anyone connecting the dots. Building a simple end-of-day routine takes five minutes and can make a real difference across the whole season.
A Few Signs Worth Watching For
After a big day, most dogs settle down and that reads as totally normal. But if you notice they're slower to respond, stiff getting up in the morning, or restless at night despite being clearly tired, those are signs their body hasn't fully recovered from the day before.
Summer heat at altitude takes more out of dogs than it looks like from the outside. Their cooling system works harder here, and their joints absorb the same trail impact yours do — just spread across four legs. It adds up.
What the Routine Actually Looks Like
Nothing complicated. After the big activity for the day, give your dog a chance to cool down somewhere shaded, get water in them, and then about an hour later — when things are settling — add something that supports their system.
A lot of our regulars use Koi CBD Dog Biscuits ($35) for this. Each treat has 5mg of full-spectrum CBD alongside chamomile and calming botanicals in a green apple and peanut butter flavor that dogs actually want. Easy to work into a routine because it feels like a treat, not a chore.
For dogs (and cats) where you want more flexibility on the dose, the CBDfx Pet Tinctures ($35) let you dial it in more precisely. Same broad-spectrum quality, formulated for pets, available in different strengths for different sizes.
The Part That's Easy to Miss
Timing matters more than most people think. Giving your dog CBD after they've settled in for the evening — not right in the middle of the activity — tends to work better. It's less about an immediate effect and more about supporting how their body recovers overnight.
If your dog tends to wake up stiff or drag in the morning after active days, that's exactly the window you're trying to improve. A few consistent evenings makes the pattern pretty clear.
We carry several pet formulas at the shop — tinctures, treats, chews, and sprays for dogs and cats. Stop in at 677 E. Eisenhower Blvd. in Loveland, Monday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm, and we'll help you find the right fit for your animal.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
