Effective Dog Cooling Products

Helping your dog cooling off is an important part of keeping him healthy and happy in the hot summer months. There are a number of innovative products on the market geared toward this single purpose.

Cooling Dog Neck Wrap or Bandanna

Wraps or bandannas are generally soaked in water for about half an hour and then wrapped snugly about your dog's neck. While not as effective as some coolers, it is a nice thing to try if going for a walk up the street in warmer weather, when your dog could use a little bit of cooling off. Wraps and bandannas tend to stay cooler a bit longer than some other products, and have a more attractive price range of about $10. There are also a wide variety designs and colors, which also appeal to many owners.

Cooling Mats

Cooling mats come in a variety of types that work in different ways. One of the most effective is a thermoregulating mat, which contains a soft, gel-like substance. Unlike most dog beds which retain body heat to help keep your dog warm, these thermo-beds take the heat and push it to the floor or into the air to help lower your dog's body temperature. As an added bonus, these gel mats are very soft and comfortable. Most dogs seek out hard, cool surfaces (cement in the shade, hardwood floors, etc.) in hot weather. If you have an older dog especially, these mats are excellent for joints and your dog's general comfort.

Other cooling mats are filled with water, which is absorbed by the insides of the mat and work in much the same way as the gel-mats.

Cooling mats are one of the more expensive cooling products, running from $50 for small mats, up to $130 for the largest. If your dog spends a good deal of time outside in the heat, these are well worth the expense.

Cooling Vests or Body Wraps

Cooling vests are just what they sound like. They're a vest that wraps around your dog's shoulders and middle/stomach (this is where much of a dog's heat goes when they are hot). It is dipped into a basin or tub of water prior to putting it on, and it helps your dog maintain a steady, comfortable body temperature by using evaporative cooling. To further explain, when a human sweats, the sweat that forms on their skin is cooled by the air and this helps lower body temperature. Dogs cannot sweat in this manner. Wearing these vests is similar to a human sweating and can be very effective.

Most of these vests are made with something such as polymer crystals that absorb the water and release it slowly to help sustain a longer-lasting effect. Cooling vests are a little higher in price, running around $50 to $70.

Crate Cooling Fans

Another situation an owner may find themselves in is traveling in the heat with their pet. If your dog is crated up for the duration of the trip, the containment plus the stress can leave them pretty miserable and overheating. Look into getting a crate-fan. These little fans are convenient and hassle-free. They attach to the door of the crate and keep a steady airflow going into the crate. Best of all, you can find them for around $20.

 

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