Surprisingly, your dog can experience a heat stroke when the ambient temperature is only 89 F. Thus, learning if dog cooling vests are a viable tool is critical.
Maybe you’ve seen a dog in a cooling vest and laughed. But perhaps there is value to these gadgets. If it can prevent a heat stroke or heat exhaustion, it’s worth a look.
Today, let’s dig in and discover if there are any benefits to dog cooling vests or similar gadgets. While the vision of a pup in a cooling vest can stir a giggle, it might be exactly what your fur kid needs.
Budget tip:
Keeping your dog cool in hot weather is critical. While a cooling vest, collar, bed, or pad, might be a cost you didn't expect, it can prevent a pricey vet bill or a fatal incident. That's worth it for me. It's a major win-win for my dog, Henry and my wallet (not to mention my peace of mind).
How does a dog cooling vest work?
The theory behind cooling vests for dogs is evaporative cooling. Basically, you wet the vest, then as your dog’s body temperature rises as the outside weather temperature increases the water, helps to cool your dog. Yep, simple evaporation at work.
Do dog cooling vests work in humidity?
This would be great. However, since cooling vests are based on the idea of evaporative cooling, humidity doesn’t allow for evaporation. Thus, no or little cooling is provided when there is humidity. If you’ve ever been to a high humid area during the hot weather of summer, you’ll understand this one. You take a shower, but you can never get dry because the humidity is so high. The same theory holds true for cooling vests.
What is the purpose of a cooling vest for dogs?
Basically, the idea is to keep your dog cool and prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which can, unfortunately, sneak up on dog parents. As stated earlier, your dog can experience a heat stroke with 89 F environmental temperature. While that may seem fairly cool if you live where the temperature regularly climbs over 100, it can be overbearing for your pup.
It should be noted that with a dog cooling vest, the water should be slightly cool but never iced. Even cold water seems to be fine as long as it’s not iced. There’s evidence that shows iced vests (especially when dogs are exerting energy such as playing at a park or hiking) can actually escalate dogs into distress with heat stroke or even heat exhaustion.
Do cooling vests work?
There haven’t been a lot of studies done on cooling vests for dogs. However, a study in 2012 by the University of Florida found that cooling vests with rechargeable packs did help to keep dogs’ body temperatures at a comfortable level.
You can also consider anecdotal evidence. Which means how it works for individual dogs. This includes reviews from friends, family, and dog parents you know.
For example, when you see a dog on the hiking trail or dog park with a cooling jacket, simply ask about their experiences. You can even find some anecdotal evidence about dog cooling vests on YouTube. Just make sure it’s not strictly a sponsored link or video.
How does an evaporative cooling vest help my dog, Henry?
Since I adopted my dog, Henry, he has had a cooling vest. Let me note that Henry is a dark-colored dog. I’ve had a few dark-colored pets in my life and I know they always had a more difficult time in the heat. With this knowledge, I wanted to help Henry as much as possible before the summer heat hit. I’m very grateful to say that I have noticed a difference when Henry is wearing his vest in hot weather.
This includes:
- More energy
- Able to go longer distances walking or slowly hiking
- Less panting in heat (compared to not wearing a cooling)
- Body temperature feels cooler to me (although I haven’t taken his temperature)
Can a dog cooling vest help my puppy, senior dog, or disabled pup?
In theory, yes. As long as you use the cooling jacket appropriately and it’s fitted properly, it can provide your dog with relief from hot weather or overheating from a health issue. Moreover, it may be a helpful tool in preventing heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
NOTE: If your dog experiences anxiety and begins panting, you might find that a cooling vest will help. I started using a cooling vest when Henry had an extreme anxiety attack (along with a heartbeat toy, calming treat, and covered crate), and it was a great addition. He calms down much quicker with the vest.
What do I look for in a dog cooling vest?
Cooling vests for dogs generally come in different sizes. You will need to measure your dog for a proper fitting. Although, there are a few things to look for in a great cooling vest for your dog:
Choice of fabric
Cotton
This is a good choice. It’s not toxic if your dog should chew it. Plus, it can hold up to 400 times its weight. Think how heavy a bath towel is when you transfer it from the washer to the dryer. Most importantly, it’s more comfortable for your dog.
Nylon
While the outer layer can dry quickly, the inner layer keeps your dog comfortable and doesn’t trap heat.
Reflective trim
This is a great addition for warm nighttime walks.
This cooling vest is very similar to Henry’s and will keep your pup cool.
NOTE: One of the first cooling jackets for Henry I bought was made out of shammy material. Yep, like what you would dry your car with after washing. Thankfully, I didn’t pay very much for it. The problem with it was that it dried quickly. And once dried it was hard like a shield on Henry. Not exactly what I was looking for in a cooling vest.
Sizing vests
Coverage
A dog evaporative vest should cover your dog’s chest, abdomen, heart, lungs, and all the vital organs.
Full coat
I like the vests that are fuller for more cooling, although there isn’t evidence that shows this is necessary. In my mind, it just makes sense. Plus, Henry seems to be cooler when I touch him. You’ll see some vests only cover the rib cage and stop, like the shammy vest. However, others will go to the bum, like the reflective vest below.
Measuring
Cooling vests are sold in different sizes from extra small to extra-extra-extra large. To find the correct size, you’ll need to measure your dog’s girth. However, each cooling jacket brand is sized a bit differently, and sizing is provided for each company.
Cooling ability
The vest should be able to stay cool for a long period of time and help to keep your dog’s body temperature down. Henry’s generally will stay cool for several hours. Most of the time, it’s enough for a hike. But I often I will carry a zip bag with cool water for a quick re-cooling if needed.
Tip: You can also get rechargeable cooling vests like what was used in the University of Florida study. These are a bit more expensive. But it might work for you or your dog’s needs better. Personally, I find that as long as I keep Henry’s vest wet, he stays cool, and to my touch, his body temperature stays down too. So, I haven’t needed to invest in anything more.
Cleaning
A cooling jacket is something that gets a lot of use. Or at least Henry uses his a lot during the hot weather in the summer. So, I need a way to clean it quickly. As you can imagine, it can become sticky rather quickly. Most vests will say they are hand-wash only. However, I don’t have an issue with this requirement.
Often I will wash it at night. I use a few drops of either fragrance-free laundry soap or more often a couple of drops of Blue Dawn dish soap. If Henry’s really done a number on his cooling jacket, I’ll add up to 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar. This will kill the stink and let it smell nice again.
While the vest could still be wet by the next day, since it’s cooler inside I don’t worry about it. I simply wet it as I generally would and put it on him again.
How do I use a cooling vest for my dog?
- Fully wet the vest in a basin or sink of cool water.
- Let the vest soak in the basin for a few minutes.
- Rub the vest, which will help activate the cooling aspect once it’s been soaked
- Squeeze out the excess water (pat dry if needed)
- Put the vest on your dog
Tip: I like to put Henry’s vest on beginning with the neck and then the chest. It seems to work best in this method.
Is your dog stinky? Here are some great tips for taking the stink out but keeping the adorable.
What if I can’t find a cooling vest that will fit my dog?
This can happen for large-necked, short-bodied, or extremely small dogs. If you have a Pug, French Bulldog, or Shih Tzu it can be more difficult to size your pup for a cooling vest. But don’t worry. You can still protect your dog with other cooling products such as:
- Cooling pet pad (generally made of gel and no water is needed)
- Dog collar with cooling abilities (these are often gel-based and need to be refrigerated. Also, they can be rather wide, which could be uncomfortable if your pup doesn’t have a long neck like a Greyhound)
- Dog scarf with evaporative cooling (which can be a great option)
- DIY dog cooling vest
I like the cooling vest option the best. It provides the most coverage and flexibility for Henry.
TIP: However, a bit of warning. If you decide on a DIY evaporative cooling product, remember not to use an ice pack or make it too cold. While we may love to sit in front of a swamp cooler after a workout, at least for now, it seems like extreme cold temperatures (especially when exercising) our dogs on a hot day is not wise. It may have the opposite effect in trying to cool our dogs and avoid heat related issues.
What other dog cooling vest tips should I know?
Ice water
As I’ve mentioned a few times, but it bears mentioning again, never use ice or ice water. It can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or other heat-related illnesses.
Refrigeration
These cooling vests for dogs do not need to be refrigerated. However, they can be cooled for a few minutes if you desire on a very hot day.
A cooling tool
Keep in mind a dog cooling jacket is a great tool in helping to keep your dog cool and prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion. However, they are NOT MEANT TO BE THE ONLY TOOL. You still need to provide water and a cool place for your dog to rest. Additionally, do not exercise your dog during the heat of the day, even with an evaporative cooling garment.
Hot car
Again, even if your dog is wearing a cooling vest, NEVER EVER leave your dog in a hot car. Not even for a few minutes. Additionally, don’t leave the cooling vest in a hot car, as it will quickly lose its effectiveness.
Should I get a cooling vest for my dog?
This will be a choice you will need to make for your dog. I decided almost immediately that with Henry’s dark coat and our hot summer temperatures, he needed one. Well, let me rephrase that a little, I needed to do everything possible to help him keep his body temperature down in hot weather. One of the tools I chose was an evaporative cooling vest.
However, your dog may live in a cooler climate or have a different type of coat. For example, you may live in North Dakota with a Greyhound. If so, your dog is probably fine without a cooling vest.
On the other hand, I’ve visited Las Vegas in April and saw fully coated Huskies walking at noontime in the heat. These Huskies never have a cooling vest. But they are always panting and appear to be struggling in the heat while walking next to their dog owner. That’s a tough environment for a heavily coated dog.
Remember, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can happen within moments for dogs. I always encourage pet parents to keep their fur kids’ well-being at the forefront of their minds when making choices. Even simple ones like walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures aren’t as hot.
Want a cooling vest similar to Henry’s? This is a great one!
What are the cost savings of a cooling vest for my dog?
You may not have considered the savings of a simple cooling vest (or other cooling gadget) for your dog, but it can be tremendous. Consider the following for a moment.
| Issue | Estimated Cost |
| Cooling vest | $41 – 53 (free if DIY) |
| Heat exhaustion | $250 – 1,500+ |
| Heat stroke | $500 – 15,000 |
| Cool and healthy pup | PRICELESS!!! |
Related additional information:
- Surprising Ways To Calm A Dog With Severe Anxiety
- Dirty Water Risks To Avoid With Your Dog
- Steps to Build a New Dog Budget
- How to Find the Best Veterinarian
- Easy Hack To Remove Sap From Dog’s Fur
- Pawsome Ways to Cool Down Your Dog This Sizzling Summer
- Summertime Dog Activities On A Budget
- Money-Saver! Best Dog Accessory Cleaning Tips!
Give Your Pup a Cooling Vest and Enjoy Your Summer!
Keeping your dog cool in hot weather is critical. For Henry, a cooling vest does seem to help.
However, the scientific evidence is a bit lacking. But the anecdotal evidence, for me, supports a cooling vest for Henry. I’ve seen it work for him. That’s not to say it will work for every dog. Moreover, I’ve noticed that the effectiveness of cooling vests rests in the preparation and application. I have to admit, I have rushed the process a few times and the vest didn’t work so well for Henry. But it’s worked like a charm when I’ve done it properly.
Although these vests can be pricey, there are workarounds. If you are good with sewing, you can make a DIY cooling vest. It is a great way to test if it will help your dog with the heat. Honestly, the way I’ve seen Henry handle hot weather with his cooling vest makes me wish I had one.
