What Are K-9 Cool Vests?

Dogs are active year-round. They may run, search, play and hunt in any season. In hot weather a dog can easily get too hot and suffer heat exhaustion. The internal temperature can rise quickly above normal body temperature. This can be harmful to the dog. A quick hose-down with cool water can help, but for working dogs, a cooling vest may be a better solution. Cooling vests for dogs are designed to keep dogs comfortable on hot days.

Styles

Cooling vests for dogs come in different styles. Vests with built-in absorption packs soak up water that slowly evaporates to keep the dog cool. Vests with pockets hold chilled cold packs. Body styles include vests that fit across the dog back and sides. Others wrap completely around the torso. Abdominal vests are designed to strap with the cooling portion only on the lower chest and abdomen.

Significance

When dogs are hot, they cool down with panting that draws air into the lungs. They have blood vessels that can dilate and cool the blood, but an active dog heats more quickly than the body can dissipate heat. Working and playing may raise the dog temperature above its normal 100 to 102 degree Fahrenheit range. At 104 to 106 degrees, heat exhaustion occurs. Over 107 degrees coma, stroke and death can occur.

Function

Cooling vests keep the body core from overheating so that the dog maintains a normal body temperature. With evaporative jackets, the vest is soaked in water and wrapped around the dog. The evaporating water wicks heat out of the dog body. Cold packs in vests work by providing a cool layer against the dog to absorb the body heat and protect against hot outside temperature.

Uses

Cool vests are well-suited to military dogs working in harsh dry climates. Hunting dogs are caught up in the excitement of their work and are prone to heat exhaustion. A cooling vest keeps the dog from overheating and buffers it against stickers and brush. Show dogs in rings or on agility courses benefit from cool-down before and after performing to keep them alert.

Considerations

Dogs that travel hiking, biking or running with their owners benefit from vests in high visibility colors and reflective strips for safety. Cool vests are sturdy and provide winter protection against wind and cold. Vests simple to put on and remove are more likely to be used than awkward cooling jackets. A cool vest is less costly than taking a heat-stressed dog on an emergency trip to the veterinarian.