This Is How Dog Cooling Vests Work To Keep Your Dog Cool!
A dog cooling vest is a specially designed piece of dog outerwear that stabilises or lowers body temperature as a way to make warm or hot environments more bearable.
Dog cooling vests mimic the human body’s process of sweating to stay cool, however through evaporation. Simply soak the cooling vest in water, wring it out and then put it on your dog. The damp vest will slowly evaporate over time which ultimately cools down the air surrounding your dog’s body.
Other types of dog cooling vests include gel cooling vests where there is a special layer of fabric located inside the vest made of a cooling gel to aid the evaporation process in cooling your dog down. Another type is a freezer pack cooling vest that requires you to freeze gel ice packs that go in pockets around the neck and chest of your dog.
A cooling vest is a really great device for your dog to have as they require large amounts of exercise daily to remain happy and healthy, no matter the weather. With thick layers of fur, it can be hard to achieve a comfortable temperature during the peak of summer when it is too hot for your pup to comfortably go outside. While some people can adjust their schedules to exercise their dogs when it isn’t so hot such as take them out early in the morning or late at night or have access to cool, shady areas to exercise their dogs, for others this just isn’t a possibility and that is when a dog cooling vest comes in handy.Â
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Quick Picks – These Dog Cooling Vests Work Really Well!
| Highlight | Product Link |
| Best Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest | RUFFWEAR – Swamp Cooler Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest, Compatible with Harnesses |
| Best Ice Chilled Dog Cooling Vest | CoolerDog Dog Cooling Vest and Cooling Collar – Ice Vest for Dogs |
| Best Value Dog Cooling Vest | Tuff Pupper Jet Cool Vest – Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Cooling Vests
Why do dogs need cooling vests? Dogs need cooling vests because they cannot sweat to cool their bodies like humans. Dogs only have sweat glands in their paws so they need a cooling vest to remove excess body heat, especially on their chest and neck.
How long do dog cooling vests last? Most dog cooling vests last between 1 to 3 hours. After 3 hours an owner can re-wet the cooling vest so the cooling evaporation process starts again. This can be done over a sink at home or with a drink bottle while on a walk.
How do you use a cooling vest on a dog? To use a dog cooling vest all you need to do is run it under cool water, wring it out and then place it on your dog’s back. If it dries out on a walk you can re-wet it using a drink bottle.
Do dog cooling coats really work? Yes, dog cooling coats do really work. Dog cooling coats work through evaporation to cool the air surrounding your dog’s body. This targets key areas such as your dog’s chest and neck where they do not have sweat glands to cool them down.
Are dog cooling vests safe? Yes, dog cooling vests are safe. Most dog cooling vests work on the principle of evaporation where you soak it in tap water, wring it out and then place it on your dog. There are usually no harmful chemicals or gels located in a dog cooling vest either.
What are dog cooling vests made of? The majority of dog cooling vests are made of 100% polyester microfibre. Microfibres are highly absorbent and can hold up to 7 times their weight. When used in a cooling vest, they wick moisture away from the dog’s body and the subsequent evaporations cools down the dog.
In-Depth Explanation Of How Each Type Dog Cooling Vest Works
There is quite a large range of types of cooling vests that work in different ways. The most common type of dog cooling vest is the evaporative cooling vest however there are also ice chilled cooling vests, thermoelectric cooling vests which are powered by portable batteries and cool flow cooling vests which use water flow systems.
1. Evaporative Dog Cooling Vests
The majority of dog cooling vests that you will find on the market are evaporative dog cooling vests as they are the cheapest and easiest to use. These vests are submerged in water for a short period of time, usually between 3 to 5 minutes before use. They are then wrung out or blot dried.
Evaporative dog cooling vests work on the principle of evaporation, where the air surrounding your dog’s body gets cooled down as the water changes state. Energy is required for a drop of water to change from a liquid to a gas. This energy is taken from the air surrounding the water. This process of taking energy is what causes a small temperature drop. If enough water is evaporated, the temperature drop will be significant. The cooled down air then in turn cools down your dog.
There are usually special materials located within the vest such as cooling crystals which accelerate the rate of evaporation. Some products even have conductive layers which makes the process even faster.
If you are on a walk or at the dog park and the vest becomes dry, you can simply re-wet it with a water bottle or another water source.
This type of dog cooling vest is the most popular as they are lightweight, very easy to use and no electricity is required. They are also very affordable.
The Best Evaporative Dog Cooling Vests:
- RUFFWEAR – Swamp Cooler Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
- Tuff Pupper Jet Cool Vest – Evaporative Dog Cooling Vest:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
- SGODA Dog Cooling Vest Harness Cooler Jacket:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. Ice Chilled Dog Cooling Vests/Dog Cooling Vest With Ice Packs
Ice chilled dog cooling vests work by placing cooling energy packs inside internal pockets of the vest. These cooling energy packs are activated inside a fridge or freezer. Some ice chilled dog cooling vests don’t have special gel cooling energy packs but rather just use ice cubes.
These vests achieve the cooler temperatures compared to evaporative cooling vests. As they are very cold to touch at first, you have to make sure that it is comfortable for your dog. Some people put a thin towel over their dog before it starts melting to ensure they are comfortable. Or you can wait a little bit for the ice to start melting before putting it on your dog.
Also due to the frozen nature of the product, when it melts and starts to warm up, you can not cool it down again until you put it back in your freezer unlike being able to re-wet the product in the case of an evaporative vest.
The Best Dog Cooling Vests With Ice Packs
- CoolerDog Dog Cooling Vest and Cooling Collar – Ice Vest for Dogs:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
- HORAY WORLD Cooling Vest for Dogs; Cooling Gear with Innovative Cooling Pack:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
- GF Pet ElastoFit Cooling Ice Vest for Dogs:
Find The Current Price On Amazon Here
What Environments Do Dog Cooling Vests Work Best In?
Dog cooling vests work best in environments with dry air. This is because evaporation occurs quicker in these environments. If you live in an arid climate, a dog cooling vest could be a great accessory for your dog!
On the other hand, environments with humid air are not as suited to dog cooling vests. This is because in a humid environment evaporation occurs at a very slow pace. If you live in a humid climate, a ice cooling dog vest would be more appropriate as it does not rely on evaporation to keep your dog cool.
What Breeds Are Cooling Vests Best For?
Dog cooling vests work for all breeds of dogs however it can be more beneficial for certain breeds than others.
For example, cool climate dogs that have longer coats but live in hotter environments generally need a cooling vest in summer as there is no way for them to cool down naturally.
More specifically these dog breeds are at a higher risk of heat stroke and would find use in a dog cooling vest:
- French Bulldog
- English Bulldog
- Pug
- Boston Terrier
- There are many other breeds that suffer from heat stroke and overheating more often than others in summer. You can find out more about them here.
As you can see brachycephalic dog breeds are going to find cooling vests more beneficial than their non-brachycephalic counterparts as they are more likely to overheat due to their short snout length in hot weather.
While a cooling vest might work better for the breeds listed above there is no reason why you shouldn’t let your dog be more comfortable in summer by purchasing one. Manufacturers have ensured that all dog breeds can have access to cooling vests through developing collections with multiple size options with adjustable straps.
Do I Need To Put My Dog’s Cooling Vest In The Freezer For It To Work?
The short answer is no. You do not need to put your dog’s cooling vest in the freezer for it to work. Some manufacturers do not recommend you to put your cooling vest in the freezer at all however this depends on the type of dog cooling vest that you have.
If you have an ice chilled cooling vest you might need to put it in the freezer. Some operate by chiling them in the fridge while others require being freezed. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure it works well and is at a safe temperature for your dog.
The reason why people like to put their dog cooling vests (generally evaporative cooling vests) in the freezer for a short period of time is to make their vests even cooler and increase the period of time it takes for the evaporation process to occur. Generally, you would put your cooling vest in the freezer for a very short period of time just before leaving to exercise your dog.
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