Summer is here and at least in our area, heatwaves are becoming more intense every year. Especially for older dogs, dogs with a thick coat, dogs with health issues or dogs that are super active, a cooling vest can be a great solution. My dogs have been using them for years and honestly, I am sure it has immensely improved the well-being of our two senior dogs (without it we wouldn´t dare to go on a seaside vacation, drive in a car, etc.).
WHY? Dogs don´t cool down by sweating, like humans do. They cool down by panting: Panting is the primary way that dogs regulate their body temperature when they get hot. Unlike humans who sweat through their skin, dogs regulate heat mainly through evaporation from their lungs and tongue via panting. When a dog pants, it takes quick, shallow breaths which allows air to circulate quickly over the moist surfaces of the lungs and tongue. This rapid airflow increases evaporation allowing the dog to cool down fast.
In severe cases, dogs might overheat up to a point of a heat stroke, and without help, might die. So, keeping your dog cool in the summer is VERY important.
So, what is a Cooling vest? The purpose of the vest it that it cools down your dog in the most crucial area, the abdomen/rib cage area, where his/her vital organs are located.
There are, of course, various designs, brands, materials, but the principle is usually the same: you have to wet the vest (either immerse it in water or rinse it under a water tap) and put it on your dog. In the heat, the water in the vest evaporates and provides a cooling effect, in the place where the vest touches the skin (that is why the cooling vests are usually very tight). This is of course NOT the entire solution, but it is a great help. You will still need to keep your dog in the shade or inside (somewhere cool and away from direct sun), and keep him/her hydrated. My dogs also use it on our morning and evening walks, just in case (for example, this past week it was super hot already around 9:00 in the morning).
At the moment we are using Ruffwear cooling vests, but I would also recommend Hurtta. They are both quality brands and in my experience, it is worth paying a bit more, to get the best quality, which will improve your dog´s life.
Amazon.de link to Ruffwear Swamp cooler zip vest: https://amzn.to/4fQjx0Y
Amazon.de link to Ruffwear Swamp cooler vest: https://amzn.to/4fSZzTa
Amazon.de link to Ruffwear Swamp cool dog harness: https://amzn.to/3WSU6mF
Amazon.de link to Ruffwear Swamp cooler core (for a dog harness): https://amzn.to/4dvWVRS
Amazon.de link to Hurtta Cooling wrap cooling vest: https://amzn.to/4fRvKlX
Amazon.de link to Hurtta Cooling vest: https://amzn.to/3XkpagV
