| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Vest |
| Best Cooling Vest For Walking | Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest |
| Best For Hiking | Kurgo Core Cooling Dog Vest |
| Best Budget Option | Dog Cooling Vest Harness |
Picture yourself relaxing on the beach with your dog beside you, basking in the rays of the sun in your favorite lounge chair. Do you notice that your dog is panting hard, drooling, or acting lethargic? There is a possibility that your dog might be overheating. What can you do to help your poor pooch in situations like that? It might be a good idea to consider a dog cooling vest! Cooling vests for dogs regulate your pet’s body temperature and allow it to cool off when needed.
How do you choose the best one for your pooch? If you need to lower the body temperature of your dog, you can use ice packs to accomplish this, or you can try using a more comfortable cooling vest to do it. These vests are ideal whether hiking, enjoying sizzling summer days, or treating medical conditions. Here are our picks for the best dog cooling vests. Your dog will stay cool, comfortable, and safe with them.
Check Chewy- Harness compatible
- Three layer cooling, with the outermost layer reflecting harmful sun rays
- UPF 50+ protection not only cools, but protects from burns
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Soft fabric has excellent water-retention
- Leash and harness compatible
- Totally natural cooling system - no chemicals
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Lightweight fabric is easy to pack on a hike without added bulk
- Adjustable to fit most dogs
- Note: requires moisture to work. Best for hikes near water
Check Chewy- Dog cooling and anxiety vest in one
- 'shirt' design covers the back and chest
- Very lightweight, easy to pack in a backpack or purse
Top Picks: The Best Dogs Cooling Vests Today
#1. Best Overall: RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Vest
The RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Vest is our top recommendation for dog cooling vests. A swamp cooler is a type of air conditioner that cools and humidifies the air through evaporation. With advanced features and multiple layers, the RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler uses the same technology to create a cooling vest for dogs. The RUFFWEAR Swap Cooler vest is the best dog cooling vest on the market today for that reason.Â
Dogs are kept cool and protected from the sun by three layers. In the outer layer, the sun’s rays are repelled, preventing heat stroke. In the middle layer, there is a moisture layer that allows the water to evaporate during use. Lastly, the inner layer is a soft mesh that is comfortable for your dog and prevents its fur from getting wet. Wearing the Ruffwear vest is like wearing a 50 SPF shirt. The fabric is durable and flexible, and the trim is reflective.
A soft, UV-protecting fabric, reflective trim for low-light visibility, and compatibility with a harness or leash are some of the key features of this product. Whether hiking, kayaking, or going to the beach, this cooling vest will keep your pup cool. A wide range of sizes is available, including XXS, XS, S, M, L, and XL. There was a downside, however, in that some owners found the vest to dry out too quickly. A higher price tag also comes with it.
Pros and Cons of the RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Vest
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The three-layered construction will keep your dog cool at all times. | Owners have complained about the vest drying out too fast. |
| A wide range of sizes is available to fit virtually every breed of dog. | It is a more expensive cooling vest for dogs. |
| Wearing the vest provides protection from the sun up to UPF 50+. | |
| Most dog harnesses are compatible with the vest. |
- Harness compatible
- Three layer cooling, with the outermost layer reflecting harmful sun rays
- UPF 50+ protection not only cools, but protects from burns
2. Best for Walking: Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest
You can’t go wrong with the Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest on those hot summer walks.
During hot summer walks, does your dog need something to keep them cool? Take your furry friend for a stroll in comfort when it’s hot outside with the Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest. Wearing this vest is easy because it is comfortable, lightweight, and easy to put on. The straps can be adjusted to ensure a perfect fit. You can choose from bright holographic colors and cute graphics.Â
For daily walks, this vest is excellent for keeping your dog cool. Among its key features is a soft, water-retained fabric, and no chemicals are used in the cooling process. Available in different sizes based on back length, the sizes range from 18 inches to 32 inches for the vest. Consequently, this vest is perfect for dogs with long backs and long torsos. In addition, it can be easily attached to a leash or harness. There has been some feedback from customers that they wish there was a buckle on the back so that it wouldn’t flap around.
Pros and Cons of the Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| With bright holographic colors, this vest will keep your pup looking stylish and feeling cool. | Customers have recommended a buckle at the back to prevent the vest from shifting around. |
| A great fit is ensured by adjustable straps. | |
| For dogs with longer bodies, the vest’s long cut is ideal. |
- Soft fabric has excellent water-retention
- Leash and harness compatible
- Totally natural cooling system - no chemicals
3. Best for Hiking: Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest
Pack the Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest if you’ll be going on many hiking adventures with your pup.
A slow, gentle cooling effect is achieved with this dog cooling vest that covers your pup’s chest, back, and neck. You can use this cooling vest to safely lower your dog’s temperature when he overheats while hiking or running. Water is necessary for this vest to work, so it’s perfect for outdoor adventures near or in the water. If you will be hiking for a long time, many customer reviews recommended you bring water to keep the vest wet. UV protection is provided by the sun-deflecting fabric used in its construction.
The key features include lightweight, flexible fabric, deflecting sunlight to support cooling, and being easy to put on most dogs. Furthermore, it works well with leashes and harnesses. Various sizes are available, including S, M, L, and XL. However, some dog owners have commented that the vest does not seem to be long enough to cover their dog’s entire torso. The vest runs smaller on the chest than other Kurgo coats, according to the manufacturer.
Pros and Cons of the Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The fabric is sun-deflective, providing UV protection. | The vest tends to run smaller on the chest than other Kurgo outerwear. |
| On long hikes, your dog will be comfortable wearing this fabric since it is incredibly flexible. | |
| It connects easily to leashes and harnesses. |
- Lightweight fabric is easy to pack on a hike without added bulk
- Adjustable to fit most dogs
- Note: requires moisture to work. Best for hikes near water
4. Best Budget Option: Dociote Dog Cooling Vest Harness
Check out the Dociote Dog Cooling Vest Harness if you are looking for a dog cooling vest at an affordable price.
The cooling vest is available in different sizes to fit pups of all sizes, including small, medium, and large breeds. Using it is simple. Put it on your pup after soaking it in cold water and wringing it out. Online reviewers have praised the cooling vest’s effectiveness but complained about its inconsistent sizing. It may be helpful to order two sizes to see which one works best for you.
Most dogs will find this vest comfortable and lightweight. Additionally, your pet will be able to cool off instantly. The garment has sewn edges to prevent chafing, is machine washable, and is easy to put on. There are six sizes available: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.
Pros and Cons of the Dociote Dog Cooling Vest Harness
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A dog cooling vest that is affordable and works well. | The sizing has been noted to be inconsistent. |
| It is possible to wash the vest in the washing machine. | |
| Dogs wearing the vest will not chafe due to the sewn edges. |
- Dog cooling and anxiety vest in one
- 'shirt' design covers the back and chest
- Very lightweight, easy to pack in a backpack or purse
How to Choose the Best Dog Cooling Vest
Your dog needs plenty of exercise to be healthy and happy. However, this can be difficult to accomplish when the weather really heats up. After all, the extreme heat can cause your poor pup to overheat. This is why a dog cooling vest can be such an important purchase that you make for your pup. One of these can help keep your pup cool despite how high the temperature outside gets.Â
A cooling vest is essentially a garment that provides your pup with extra cooling through the process of evaporative cooling. Materials specially designed for cooling vests help speed up evaporation. By cooling the air around your dog, these conductive layers further aid in cooling her. Your dog can cool off while the air around her gets cooler from the evaporation.
When it comes down to choosing the best one, there are 4 main factors to keep in mind:Â
- Size
- UV protection
- Leash clip feature
- Comfort
In the following sections, each of these factors will be discussed in more detail:
Size
It is important that cooling vests fit properly in order to work effectively. The fit of a dog’s clothing matters a lot since no dog enjoys wearing clothing that is uncomfortable. Choose a style and size that are suitable for your pet’s body type if you want her to wear her cooling vest. In order to determine the best fit for your dog, always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
UV Protection
UV protection is also an important feature of the best cooling vests. In a cooling vest, the majority of cooling occurs through evaporation. In addition, some of the nicer designs also protect your dog’s back and sides from the harmful rays of the sun as well.
Leash Clip Feature
Ideally, cooling vests should be compatible with harnesses or collars and leashes. The cooling vest you choose should be compatible with your dog’s harness or collar if you are not in an enclosed area, so make sure it will work with your dog’s leash or harness. The vest can be used as a harness if it has a leash clip.
Comfort
Wearing a dog cooling vest should be a fun experience for your pooch. This is why comfort is another factor to take into consideration. Some of the better ones come with sewn edges to prevent chafing. Furthermore, the cooling technology is important, since wet fur can cause irritation for your dog and even cause chafing. So look for cooling vests that don’t leave your pooch feeling drenched in water.
Up Next:
- The Best Tactical Dog Vests — Our informative review of the best tactical dog vests will help you choose the right one for your pet.
- Check Out The Best Dog Booties — When your dog is hiking, taking long walks, or out in the weather, dog booties protect and support his paws. Take a look at the best dog booties available!
- The Best Cooling Dog Beds: Updated — We reviewed the best dog cooling vests, so why not check out the best dog cooling beds?
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | RUFFWEAR, Swamp Cooler Evaporative Vest |
| Best Cooling Vest For Walking | Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest |
| Best For Hiking | Kurgo Core Cooling Dog Vest |
| Best Budget Option | Dog Cooling Vest Harness |
The Best Dog Cooling Vests: Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do cooling vests for dogs really work?
Yes, they work. They help lower your dog’s temperature gradually, which is the safest way to do it. They allow dogs to regulate their body temperature, even when they’re exercising in the hot sun.
How do dog cooling vests work?
Each type of cooling vest works differently. An evaporative vest works by using evaporation to reduce the dog’s body temperature. As the water evaporates from your dog’s body, it removes heat. The vest lowers the temperature gradually and helps the dog’s body regulate itself. To use this type of vest, you must get it wet.
Iced or chilled cooling vests work differently. If you’ve ever tried to cool your dog down with ice packs, you know how this type works. These vests are cold to the touch and supply an instant cooling sensation. Use caution when working with ice packs or chilled cooling vests. If the vest is too cold for your dog, place a towel or other soft cloth under it.
How long can a dog wear a cooling vest?
Most evaporative cooling vests last one to three hours. If you’re taking your dog out during a heatwave, let him wear the vest during your walk. Remember, getting too cold can be equally dangerous for a dog. Dogs should not wear cooling vests all day, and they should not wear them to sleep.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
