You love your dog to death and want what’s best for him or her at all times. You’re willing to brave the summer heat to make sure your healthy pop gets ample exercise. This is why you need the best dog cooling vest.
When you take your pooch for a run on a hot summer day, you see its tongue hanging out and your furry friend is doing an awful lot of panting. This is happening because your pooch is getting extremely hot when summer temperatures soar.
Here’s the thing:
Your pup doesn’t need to suffer in the blistering heat any longer. In fact, you can keep your pooch cool and comfortable by getting your furry friend the Best Dog Cooling Vest.
I evaluated 6 of the top dog cooling vests and used specific criteria that I tested each product to see how they stack up against one another. The criteria I used include:
- Ease of Putting On & Taking Off
- Safety
- Cooling Effectiveness
- Overall Design
- Sizing
It can feel downright difficult to find the best dog cooling vest for your favorite pooch. But if you use this information shared today as a guide, you’ll discover budget-friendly vests, cooling vests for large or small dogs, lightweight vests, and much more.
Keep reading because your fur baby is worth it!
6 Best Dog Cooling Vest Picks
Best Dog Cooling Vest For Large Dogs
SGODA Dog Cooling Vest Harness
Editor’s Comments:
The SGODA Dog Cooling Vest Harness is the Editor’s Choice for favorite cooling vest. This vest performs admirably and keeps dogs extremely cool during the summer and it protects against UV rays and it reflects heat to keep your pup comfortable on a strong sunny day.
- Material/Fabric: Cotton
- Sizes: XX-Small To XX-Large
- Cooling Method: Soaking
- Closure Type: Zipper
- Brand: SGODA
Overall Score:
96
The Bottom Line:
This dog cooling vest was chosen as the editor’s choice because it’s safe, easy to use, very effective when it comes to cooling down dogs, it’s made using a great design, and the sizing was fairly spot on, although not perfect.What’s Good
- 3-layer cooling fabric
- Comfortable moisture wicking mesh material
- UV ray protection
- Adjustable sizing
- Velcro straps
What’s Bad
- Stretches after first use
- Attracts dirt
- Hard to clean
Summary
Dog owners will seriously appreciate the cooling capabilities of the SGODA Dog Cooling Vest Harness. This product was designed to fit dogs of all shapes and sizes from XXS to XXL and every size in between.
First of all, I really appreciate how easy it is to use a SGODA Dog Cooling Vest. After trying out a number of these different vests, I can say with absolute certainty that I had the easiest time putting this one on my dog and taking it off again. I didn’t have to struggle with my dog at all, which is definitely a blessing.
I also appreciate that this dog Vest is incredibly safe, because safety is one of the biggest priorities that I have when it comes to my pooch. It’s heat reflective so it fights back against the harmful rays of the sun. And it’s also designed in a way where it fits snugly on my dog, so I never have to worry about him getting strangled or choked by the material.
The cooling effectiveness of this vest is the best out of all of the other vest that I tried and reviewed. My dog seemed the most cool and comfortable while wearing this vest, even on the hottest summer days when the sun was at its strongest.
The overall design is great because the vest fit very snugly and comfortably on my dog and he didn’t struggle while wearing it. The sizing fit my dog very comfortably the first time, although the vest can stretch after its first use, so the sizing isn’t quite the same after it’s used the first time.
Related article: How Tight Should A Dog Cooling Vest Fit?
Best Cooling Vest For Small Dogs
DOGZSTUFF Cooling Vest
Editor’s Comments:
This is a phenomenal dog cooling vest and it’s one of my top picks for good reasons. The vest is lightweight, made of evaporative cool microfibers, it provides UV protection, and it fits dogs of all shapes and sizes.
- Material/Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Sizes: X-Small To X-Large
- Cooling Method: Soaking
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Brand: DOGZSTUFF
Overall Score:
94
The Bottom Line:
Overall, I feel this is a great option for small dogs because it really seems to fit them perfectly from what I’ve observed. It’s available in Rose Red or Dark Blue and it instantly cools dogs as soon as they begin wearing the unique cooling microfibers.What’s Good
- Unique microfiber fabric
- Absorbs the sun
- Draws out excess heat
- Full body UV protection
- Lightweight design
What’s Bad
- Bunches up
- Doesn’t stay in place
- Dries out quickly
Summary
I consider the DOGZSTUFF Cooling Vest my top pick for a number of reasons, but I particularly love this vest for small dogs because it keeps them cool, protected, and comfortable during the hot summer months.
For example, it was almost as easy to take this vest off and put it on as the SDOGA vest mentioned above, but the Velcro strap was slightly more difficult to use, but it really wasn’t a big deal at all. In fact, it was the second-best product in this category.
For overall design and safety, I graded this product with very high marks because the design is simple to use and operate, plus they did a good job creating it with lightweight material that is made of evaporative cool microfiber and UV technology. This keeps dogs safe and protected while spending time in the sun.
Was it effective at keeping dogs cool? Yes, it definitely does a great job in this area. Although, you may need to re-wet the vest from time to time for maximum effectiveness.
The sizing was also very effective, which I find impressive. It fit my dog nearly perfectly based on the sizing chart recommendations, so I was pretty happy with that.
Related article: How Does A Dog Cooling Vest Work?
Best Budget Dog Cooling Vest
Evaporative Cooling Dog Vest
Editor’s Comments:
For the pet owner looking to buy an affordable dog cooling vest, the Evaporative Cooling Dog Vest is definitely a great option because it’s the best value and perfect for those on a budget.
- Material/Fabric: Mesh, PVA
- Sizes: X-Small To X-Large
- Cooling Method: Soaking
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Brand: Coppthinktu
Overall Score:
91
The Bottom Line:
Overall, this dog cooling vest has a unique and interesting design and incorporates buckles instead of Velcro which some people prefer. There is a harness hole on the back for a D ring, which is great because you’ll need it if you plan to take your dog for a walk while wearing this vest.What’s Good
- 3-layer construction
- Mesh cooling fabric
- Size adjustable slider
- Plastic buckles
- Soft breathable fabric
What’s Bad
- Sizing too small
- Doesn’t work for high humidity
- Packaging marked wrong
Summary
Dog owners on a budget will certainly appreciate the affordable price of the Evaporative Cooling Dog Vest. It’s the most inexpensive option out of the 6 different products that I’ve reviewed today. But don’t convince yourself that it’s cheap just because it’s inexpensive, because nothing could be further from the truth.
For example, you’ll feel really good about the ease with which you can put it on and take it off of your dog. It gets a little bit awkward because of the slightly odd design, but it’s still very easy to accomplish nonetheless.
It’s a great cooling vest from a safety perspective as well. I love the fact that it has UV Ray protection and three-layer construction to keep the moisture off of your dog and absorbed into the vest, to keep your pup very comfortable during the oppressive heat.
The cooling effect is more than adequate, although it didn’t stay as cool as some of the other vests that I’ve tried. But it did last for quite a while before it needed to be re-soaked and cooled down again.
Finally, I like the unique overall design of this vest. They incorporated buckles into the design instead of Velcro, which might be appealing to some people who preferred this type of fastener. The sizing for this product was on point too. The company provides a handy sizing chart that they shared along with the product listing.
Related article: Best Dog Treat Pouch
Best Dog Cooling Vest – No Soak Required
Horay World Dog Cooling Vest
Editor’s Comments:
I think you’re going to like this dog cooling vest because it’s a great choice for those who do not want to soak their vest and water. It keeps dogs cool for up to four hours using an innovative cooling pack design.
- Material/Fabric: Mesh
- Sizes: X-Small To X-Large
- Cooling Method: Ice Pack
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Brand: HORAY WORLD
Overall Score:
93
The Bottom Line:
This dog cooling vest clearly passes muster because it consistently maintains coolness even during the most extreme heat, it uses an innovative design to keep dogs safe and protected, and even prevents heat stroke during the boiling hot summer months without using evaporative cooling technology.What’s Good
- Protects all dog breeds
- Keeps dogs safe from heatstroke
- Maintains coolness for 4 hours
- Advanced cooling technologies
- No dangerous chemicals
What’s Bad
- Loud Velcro straps
- Coolness doesn’t touch dog’s skin
- Expensive
Summary
The Horay World Dog Cooling Vest is one of my favorite recommendations because it’s very different from the typical vests of this nature. It doesn’t need to be soaked before you put it on your dog. It incorporates innovative cooling packs, which last for up to four hours.
The good thing about this vest is that it’s easy to put on and even easier to take off, which is always important when it comes to dogs. You do not want a difficult vest to deal with because it’ll be a huge struggle between you and your pup. This vest was perfect in this regard.
I also love that it’s incredibly safe because safety is always one of my biggest priorities for my pooch. It’s a great choice during the summer because it eliminates heat stress and even prevents heat strokes, which is exactly what I want out of a cooling vest.
The cooling effectiveness is solid because it lasts for four hours. If you plan on staying out longer, you may not like this vest as much. The cooling packs need to be put in the freezer to make them effective once again.
The sizing and overall design were more than adequate and above average as well. This vest fits well, it’s comfortable, and it was the proper size for my pup.
Best Lightweight Dog Cooling Vest
LUCOLOVE Lightweight Dog Cooling Vest
Editor’s Comments:
The last thing I ever wanted was a heavy cooling vest weighing my dog down, and thankfully the LUCOLOVE delivered on its promise in spades. The material is very lightweight and easy for my dog to handle.
- Material/Fabric: 100% Polyester Microfiber
- Sizes: X-Small To XX-Large
- Cooling Method: Soaking
- Closure Type: Velcro
- Brand: LUCOLOVE
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
At the end of the day, this dog cooling vest is a fine choice because it is made of moisture-retaining fabric, the material is breathable, and it fits very well so it’s easy for dogs to wear while hiking, going for long walks, or playing in the park.What’s Good
- Breathable material
- Comfortable design
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- Available in 6 sizes
- Available in 3 colors
What’s Bad
- Vest is too long
- Doesn’t fit pugs right
- Poorly stitched Velcro
Summary
The LUCOLOVE Lightweight Dog Cooling Vest is a great option and one that I’m proud to recommend. It has many bells and whistles including breathable fabric, a camouflage design, and a color scheme, and it fits extra-small to extra-large dogs and larger.
Right away, I was very impressed with this dog cooling vest because it was so easy to put on my dog and it was just as easy to take it off. I didn’t have to struggle with my pup and try to wrestle him in and out of the vest, which is always nice because it keeps everyone calm and relaxed.
The safety that this cooling vest delivers is satisfactory, to say the least. After it’s soaked in water, it does an adequate job of keeping dogs cool and comfortable even in the hot summer sun. Your dog will remain safe and healthy with the dual microfiber layer and breathable material that retains moisture.
The cooling effectiveness is where this product really excels. I like that you only have to soak it in water once and it will help keep your dog cool and protected from the heat. It has full-coverage UPF50+ protection as well to help reduce overheating.
The overall design and sizing were more than satisfactory too. The vest fits my dog snugly and comfortably and it was a perfect size, so I have no complaints in either of these areas.
Best Dog Cooling Vest For Humid Weather
Pecute Dog Cooling Vest Harness
Editor’s Comments:
Dog owners will really appreciate the Pecute Dog Cooling Vest for its ability to keep dogs cool and comfortable during the most humid days of the summer. This is a great choice for everyone with dogs living in Florida or other hot and humid climates.
- Material/Fabric: 3D mesh cloth, Absorbent cotton, Polymer resin
- Sizes: Small To X-Large
- Cooling Method: Soaking
- Closure Type: Buckle
- Brand: Pecute
Overall Score:
92
The Bottom Line:
More than anything else, dog owners should appreciate this cooling vest because of its ability to combat the humidity. Dogs can get very overheated and uncomfortable in humid climates, so this vest will help keep them safe, sound, and healthy and humid climates.What’s Good
- Lightweight mesh
- UV protection
- Available in 4 sizes
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- UPF 50+ sun protection
What’s Bad
- Cooling is mildly effective
- No ring to hook a leash to
- Multiple soaks required
Summary
The Pecute Dog Cooling Vest is an impressive choice and it’s my favorite vest for dogs that spend time in humid weather. It has adjustable Velcro straps, it’s made of lightweight mesh, and it provides much-needed UV protection to keep dogs safe and cool during the humid summer days and nights.
For instance, the ability to put it on and take it off with ease is very evident with this cooling vest. I never had any trouble putting it on my dog or taking it off and I highly doubt that you will either.
Safety is paramount when it comes to our dogs and this vest is definitely safe. The coat is lightweight and very comfortable, yet it has UV protection built into the design, which is perfect because it will keep your dog’s body safe from the ultraviolet rays beaming down from the sun.
The cooling effect is more than adequate. The one caveat is that if you intend to keep your dog outside for a long time in the sun, you will need to soak the vest and cool it down again for it to achieve maximum effectiveness for your pup.
The overall design is a little odd, but it isn’t such a big deal that I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a little awkwardly shaped yet it fits dogs very well, and the sizing was spot on in my opinion, which was really good because sometimes these companies get the sizing wrong.
Buying Guide To Selecting The Best Dog Cooling Vest
Are you ready to buy the best dog cooling vest for your pup this summer? I provided plenty of great recommendations above, but for one reason or another, you have to ignore my recommendations and go along on your own path.
Don’t worry about it if this is the case. In fact, I’m here for you regardless. And I’d like to take it a step further and share my process for selecting the best dog cooling vests that are available today. I want you to know the things that make a cooling vest amazing.
Why? I share this information freely because my readers need to know what to look for when choosing the best dog cooling vest.
I already did the leg work by performing research and analysis, and I even tested each one of the 6 products that are recommended above.
How did I do it?
I evaluated each dog cooling vest by seeing how they measured up in 5 specific categories that were the most relevant to these fests. I use the criteria below to create a rating system for each product, and I feel you should follow these guidelines as well.
My criteria are as follows:
- Ease of Putting On & Taking Off
- Safety
- Cooling Effectiveness
- Overall Design
- Sizing
How come I chose the specific categories? My research led me here and I determined that each one of these categories is the most relevant for the best dog cooling vest.
To learn more about each category, please keep reading to discover my thoughts and feelings about them below.
Ease of Putting On & Taking Off
This category likely doesn’t surprise anyone who has owned a dog for more than five minutes. We know how fussy they can be about putting on clothes! If you want the best dog cooling vest, you need to consider how easy it will be to put on and take off your pup.
So, before I narrowed down my research to the 6 products that I’ve shared above, I actually scrolled through dozens of different dog cooling vests to find out more about each of these products. And the main thing that I looked for immediately was whether or not former customers had a tough time putting them on or taking them off.
My dog can be a real pain in the butt, to put it bluntly, when I have to put clothes on him for any reason. But I always want him to remain cool and safe during the summer, so wearing a cooling vest is an absolute must when we go for a walk in the middle of the afternoon in the hot Georgia sun.
When considering the ease of putting on or taking off a specific cooling vest, keep the following in mind:
- Have other customers complained or found it difficult to take the vest off or put it back on again?
- Do other dogs seem to struggle and fuss whenever the cooling vest is being put on or taken off?
The best way to get answers to these questions is to read reviews from former customers. They’ll share their triumphs and tragedies with you so that you can learn from their mistakes.
How These dog cooling vests Compare In The Ease of Putting On & Taking Off Category
Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance when choosing the best dog cooling vest for your dog. The whole point of the cooling vest is to keep your dog safe and protected from ultraviolet rays and humidity during the hot summer months.
If you do not think a particular cooling vest is going to keep your dog safe, you should avoid it like the plague.
How can you tell which cooling vests are safe? Consider the following thoughts before making your final choice:
- Are customers complaining and saying the product doesn’t keep their dog cool?
- Does the cooling vest fail to provide adequate UV ray protection?
- Is the cooling vest known for its inability to keep dogs cool in humid climates?
You can find answers to these questions online by reading reviews from previous customers.
How These dog cooling vests Compare In The Safety Category
Cooling Effectiveness
The entire reason to buy a cooling vest is to keep your dog cool when he gets incredibly hot and blisteringly brutal outside. You want your dog to feel cool and comfortable when you take him or her for walks in the hot summer sun. That’s why the best dog cooling vest will be able to keep your dog cool.
So, you’ll obviously have to figure out if the vest is effective at keeping dogs cool. If the vest is known for its ability to stay cool for many hours at a time, then you’d definitely have a good vest on your hands.
Consider the following when determining cooling effectiveness:
- What type of cooling mechanism does the vest provide? (E.g. soaking, cooling packs, mesh material, etc.)
- How long will the vest remain cool on a hot summer’s day?
Answering these questions will guide you toward choosing the Best Dog Cooling Vests to keep your dog comfortable and safe during the hot summer days and nights.
How These dog cooling vests Compare In The Cooling Effectiveness Category
Overall Design
This category should be fairly self-explanatory but I want to share a few pointers with you as well so that you absolutely get it right.
When determining the effectiveness of the overall design, please consider the following:
- Does it fit all-sized dogs?
- Is it safe for your dog to wear?
- Does it have UV protection built-in?
- Is it made of comfortable material?
- Is it made of breathable material?
- Is the cooling mechanism effective?
- Do the cooling capabilities last for a long time?
How These dog cooling vests Compare In The Overall Design Category
Sizing
Finally, the best dog cooling vest isn’t going to be effective if the sizing is all screwed up. You must find the right vest with a proper and correct sizing chart so that you know the best size to fit your dog.
For the most part, you should look for specific products that have a sizing chart available on their product listing page. This will provide specific measurements or sizes based on length, chest, and neck size.
If you accidentally purchase the wrong size, the vest might be too large for your dog and it will not be able to keep it cool because the vest needs to touch their fur to be effective.
On the other hand, the size might be too small, which would be very uncomfortable for your dog and make it difficult for them to walk, run, and play.
How These dog cooling vests Compare In The Sizing Category
Best Dog Cooling Vest FAQs:
How Do Dog Cooling Vests Work?
For the most part, each vest is going to work differently and have a different use depending on the design and the way that it was made.
The most common type of vest is known as an evaporative vest. It works using evaporation to reduce the body temperature of your dog. As the evaporation process begins working and it pulls water from your dog’s body, it also removes heat at the same time, helping to keep your dog cool on the hot summer days.
Vests that incorporate ice packs obviously work very differently. These vests are very cold and provide instant cooling as soon as they are put on your dog. Your dog will immediately begin cooling down as soon as you take the vest out of the freezer and put it on your dog’s body.
The Best Dog Cooling Vest: How Do I Determine The Right Size?
The best way to determine the proper size to choose for a cooling vest is to get your dog’s measurements. The measurements are needed to determine the best size to meet your dog’s needs.
Typically speaking, when a company creates a cooling vest, they base their sizing on the circumference of the dog’s neck, backlink, and chest size. A typical sizing chart looks very similar to the following:
- XS: Back length 10″ * Chest 14″-17″ * Neck 10″
- S: Back length 11″ * Chest 16″-19″ * Neck 11″
- M: Back length 13″ * Chest 19″-24″ * Neck 13″
- L: Back length 15″ * Chest 23″-28″ * Neck 15″
- XL: Back length 17″ * Chest 26″-32″ * Neck 18″
- XXL: Back length 21″ * Chest 29″-35″ * Neck 21″
- XXXL: Back length 25″ * Chest 34″-41″ * Neck 23″
How Long Do Ice Pack Cooling Vests Typically Tend to Stay Cold?
The answer to this question depends on a number of different factors. The biggest factor of all is how hot it will be outside when you bring your dog for a walk. If it’s 100° and humid, the cooling vest isn’t going to stay cool for very long.
On the other hand, if it’s 85° and sunny, the cooling vest will certainly last a lot longer and remain cold for a much longer time.
As an example, if it’s really humid and very hot, the cooling vest may only stay cold for 1-2 hours. On the other hand, if it’s sunny and warm but there isn’t too much humidity in the air, the cooling vest could remain effective for as many as four hours before it becomes warm to the touch.
Here is how all the dog cooling vest products compare in overall scoring against each other:
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