With Summer here and the temperatures rising, it’s essential to keep your dog cool and comfortable. At Bark Boutique, our beloved dog models, Poppy and Levi, love nothing more than relaxing together outdoors.
As much as we enjoy watching them relax, it’s crucial to ensure they stay cool in the heat. We highly recommend using dog cooling vests, which are designed to help keep your dogs safe and comfortable during hot temperatures.
In this article, we will explore dog cooling vests.
What are Cooling Dog Vests?
Dog Cooling Vests help regulate a dog’s body temperature during warmer weather. These vests come in various types, each utilising different mechanisms to keep dogs cool.
Our own dog, Poppy, is a big fan of cooling vests. Her thick fur makes her prone to overheating, making cooling dog vests an excellent choice for her during the summer months.
When choosing a cooling vest, look for one that offers a good balance of breathability, lightweight design, and a comfortable fit.
This ensures adequate airflow without restricting movement. Here is a breakdown of some types of dog cooling vests:
Evaporative Cooling Vest
These vests are made from special materials that contain water absorption properties. To use, soak the vest in water, wring out the excess, and then place on your dog. The fabric will absorb and retain the water, and as it evaporates, it will pull the heat away from your dog’s body, which creates a cooling effect. This process is similar to how humans sweat to cool down.
Reflective Cooling Vest
These vests are designed with reflective surfaces to reflect sunlight and heat away from your dog, reducing heat absorption and helping to keep your dog cooler. They are normally made in lighter colours to minimise heat absorption. The usage is straight forward, simply put the vest on your dog with no additional preparation needed.
Cooling Vests with Phase Change Materials
These vests use special cooling packs containing phase change materials that absorb and release heat. These vests can maintain a consistent cooling temperature for a longer period, helping to keep dogs cool in hotter weather. To use, chill the cooling packs in the fridge or freezer as instructed by the manufacturer, then insert the packs into the designated pockets in the vest. Once the packs are correctly in place, the vest is ready to be worn by your dog. These vests are typically made of durable fabrics to support the cooling packs.
Hybrid Cooling Vests
These vests have elements of both the evaporative and reflective cooling properties. These vests need to be soaked in water to activate the evaporative cooling effect, while the reflective elements deflect sunlight away from your dog’s body.Â
Made from a combination of absorbent fabrics and reflective materials, these vests offer dual cooling benefits. To use, soak the vest in water, wring out the excess and place it on your dog. The reflective outer layer provides additional cooling by reflecting the sunlight.
When choosing a cooling vest for your dog, consider the climate and your dog’s activity levels to ensure you select the most suitable type.
Evaporative and Hybrid Cooling Vests – These require water to function and offer versatile cooling benefits, making them suitable for dry climates.
Reflective Cooling Vests – Designed to reflect heat, these vests are suitable for sunny environments and do not require water to work.
Phase Change Cooling Vests – The packs supplied with the vest need to be chilled before use but provide consistent cooling, making them great for more humid climates.
Benefits of Using a Cooling Vest
- Prevents Heat-Related Health Issues – Dog cooling vests help regulate your dog’s body temperature, preventing heat stroke and other heat- related ailments such as heat exhaustion.
- Promotes Activity – Cooling vests provide a comfortable way for your dog to stay active and exercise while staying cool in hotter weather.
- Reduces Stress and Discomfort – Keeping your dog cool can reduce stress and discomfort caused by high temperatures.
- Prevents Fatigue – For more active dogs, a cooling vest can help prevent fatigue and overheating during physical activity.
- Easy to Use – Cooling vests come with straightforward instructions, making them a quick and easy solution for keeping your dog cool in warmer weather.
- Comfortable Fit – Most cooling vests are designed to fit snugly without restricting movement, ensuring your dog can move freely and comfortably.
- Versatile Use – Cooling vests are suitable for various activities, such as walks and training your dog in the garden.
Investing in a dog cooling vest is an excellent way to help keep your dog cool and comfortable during hot weather and physical activity.Â
These vests can significantly enhance your dog’s quality of life in warmer months, especially for dogs that are prone to overheating. When choosing a cooling vest, consider the fit and size to ensure it covers the dog’s body correctly.Â
Additionally, choose a vest that is easy to put on and take off and made from durable, breathable fabric.
Dog Cooling Vests provide an effective and practical solution to help keep your dog comfortable in hot weather. However, remember that this is just one method to help your dog stay cool. Always monitor your dog during warmer weather, paying close attention to their wellbeing and hydration levels. Introduce any new product gradually to avoid causing stress. It is important to regularly check the vest for signs of wear and tear, and continually assess your dog’s comfort.
Dog Cooling Vests are an excellent way to help protect your dog from the dangers of overheating. However, always remember the essentials, such as plenty of hydration, offer shade, and limit strenuous activity during peak heat hours. For more tips on keeping your dog cool this summer, check out our blog article on ‘’Our Top Tips for Summer Dog Care.’’ Always take the necessary steps to ensure your dog enjoys a safe and fun summer.
The importance of Keeping Your Dog Cool in Summer
Much like humans, dogs can suffer from heatstroke and sunburn too. It’s important to take effective measures to prevent heat related health issues. Heatstroke is very serious and can escalate rapidly, even becoming fatal in severe cases.
Heatstroke occurs when a dog becomes too hot and cannot lower its body temperature through panting. Signs of overheating can include:
- Heavy panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling
- Acting Lethargic
- Vomiting
- Seizures
To conclude, most cases of heat stroke happen during exercise, but it can also occur when a dog is simply lying in a hot place for too long. Its essential to stay vigilant and take appropriate measures to keep your dog cool and comfortable during the warm summer months.Â
How to Use an Evaporative and Hybrid Dog Cooling Vest
When using an evaporative or hybrid dog cooling vest, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are the general steps to using cooling dog vests:
- Wet the Vest – Soak the vest in cold water following manufacturer’s instructions. Some vests need to be submerged for a few minutes, while others might only require a quick rinse.
- Wring Out the Excess – Remove the vest from the water and wring out the excess to prevent dripping.
- Put the Vest on your Dog – Secure the vest around your dog’s body, ensuring a snug but comfortable fit using the provided fasteners.
- Repeat when Needed – Depending on the weather, humidity, and duration of exposure to the sun, the vest may need to be soaked in water several times to maintain the cooling effect.
Certain breeds and groups are more susceptible to heatstroke, including brachycephalic breeds (those with shorter noses and flat faces), dogs with long coats, puppies, senior dogs and giant breeds.
Being proactive in keeping your dog cool is crucial to preventing dangerous situations like heatstroke. If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, administer first aid immediately and contact your vet. The quicker your dog is cooled down, the better the chances of a full recovery.
