Any dog owner knows the importance of keeping their canine kiddos healthy, happy, and in shape. However, when the scorching summer months roll in, it’s harder to exercise your dog outdoors due to the high summer temps. Some dogs, especially little ones, may do fine with getting exercise indoors, but other dogs prefer chasing a ball outside in the backyard or even accompanying you on a hike.
You can exercise your dog in the early morning hours or later in the evenings when outside temps are a bit cooler. But what if that doesn’t fit into your schedule? Luckily, dog cooling vests help keep your dog cool in sweltering temps.
In this guide, we’ll list 10 of the best dog cooling vests based on consumer reviews and a buyer’s guide to help you make the best purchasing decision for your needs.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
| Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall
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GF Pet Elastofit Ice Dog Vest |
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Best Value
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Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest |
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Premium Choice
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Kurgo Core Cooling Dog Vest |
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| Best for Puppies |
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POPETPOP Dog Cooling Vest |
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RUFFWEAR Dog Cooling Vest |
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The 10 Best Dog Cooling Vests
1. GF Pet Elastofit Ice Dog Vest – Best Overall
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Vinyl, PVA plastic |
| Machine washable?: | No |
The GF Pet Elastofit Ice Dog Vest uses Elastofit technology to absorb and release water through evaporation so your dog won’t stay too wet. Two adjustable Velcro closures allow for a proper fit, and it comes in multiple sizes, making it suitable for any dog breed size. You can expect between 4 to 6 hours of coolness for your dog, and don’t worry about the sun because this vest offers UV protection while your dog is wearing it.
To use, simply immerse the vest in water, ring out the excess, and put it on your pup—no refrigeration is necessary. This vest also uses anti-microbial technology that keeps pesky insects off and away from your dog, and it’s lightweight. Be sure to hand wash the vest after your dog has been in saltwater to protect the PVA plastic.
The vest may be stiff after drying out, and the cooling feature may not last 4 to 6 hours for some pups, especially for those with a thick coat. However, considering the price and ease of use, this vest is the best overall dog cooling vest.
2. Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest – Best Value
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Mesh, synthetic fabric |
| Machine washable?: | No |
The Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest uses water-retaining fabric with mesh layers to keep circulation and airflow going to keep your doggie cool. The vest has a slit to easily attach your dog’s leash, and you can adjust the chest for a perfect and comfortable fit. This vest also comes with reflective trim so you can keep an eye on your dog, and it’s lightweight for added comfort. Simply add water to the vest to initiate the evaporating cooling feature.
This vest comes in a fun tie-dyed pattern with a sturdy buckle for securing it onto your dog. The vest lacks any UV protection, so keep this in mind when you’re out in the sun. Also, the sizing chart may be off, meaning you may need to go up in size to ensure the vest is not too small for your pooch. It also doesn’t work well with a harness, but it’s affordable, cute, and will keep your pooch cool on hot, humid days, making it the best dog-cooling vest on our list for the money.
3. Kurgo Core Cooling Dog Vest – Premium Choice
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Mesh, polyester, synthetic fabric |
| Machine washable?: | Yes |
The Kurgo Core Cooling Dog Vest is machine-washable and easy to use. Wet and wring out the excess water, strap on your pooch, and you’re all set. This vest comes with a reflective strip that helps deflect the sun’s rays, and it’s easy to adjust by way of two adjustable strips. Kurgo offers a lifetime warranty on its products, which is a nice perk.
It has a two-way zipper for access to your dog’s harness so that the harness can be worn underneath. It also has an opening for a leash. A downside is the vest may dry out in roughly 15 minutes, and you may have to keep wetting the vest to keep your dog cool, depending on the activity. It’s also a bit pricey.
4. POPETPOP Dog Cooling Vest – Best for Puppies
| Breed size: | Small/puppy |
| Material: | Mesh, PVA |
| Machine washable?: | Yes |
For the puppy in your life, the POPETPOP Dog Cooling Vest will help keep your little one cool and comfortable on hot days. This vest uses evaporated cooling with PVA technology that is environmentally safe and chemical-free. The soft fabric is double-seamed and durable yet comfy, and it’s adjustable with its Velcro straps that make putting the vest on a breeze. To activate the evaporative cooling feature, simply wet, wring out the excess water, and put on your puppy.
A downside is the vest does not have an opening for a leash, making it not completely suitable for walks. Some consumers also stated that it’s hard to put on.
5. RUFFWEAR Dog Cooling Vest
| Breed size: | Text Here |
| Material: | Text Here |
| Machine washable?: | Text Here |
The RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Vest is one of the pricier options on our list, but it gets rave reviews due to its cooling features, ease of use, three-layered mesh material, and UPF 50+ protection, and side-release buckles. It has an opening for a leash and can be worn over a harness. This harness has reflective trim for added safety, and you can purchase a Beacon light separately for even more safety.
Your dog will have a full range of motion while wearing the vest, and the water-activating cooling system will keep your dog cool and comfy with wicking material. To activate the swamp cooler, soak the vest in water for a couple of minutes, wring it out, and put it on your doggie. The vest may dry out quickly, especially in hot and dry climates, and it’s expensive.
6. JOYPAWS Ice Cool Dog Cooling Vest
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Cotton, nylon |
| Machine washable?: | No |
The JOYPAWS Ice Cool Dog Cooling Vest is cool, breathable, and soft. This vest is made with three-layered construction: the outer layer reflects heat, facilitates evaporation, and offers UPF 50+ protection. The middle layer absorbs and stores water for evaporation, and the inner layer transfers the cooling effect to your dog from the vest. It has a belt buckle closer for easy fitting and a reflective band for added visibility.
This vest works by soaking the vest in water, wringing out the excess, and applying the vest to your dog. The vest doesn’t have a leash opening, so it may not work well for dogs that wear harnesses. Depending on your climate and your dog’s activity level, the cooling effect may only last for about 30 minutes.
7. JUXZH Truelove Dog Cooling Vest
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Nylon, mesh, cotton |
| Machine washable?: | No |
The JUXZH Truelove Dog Cooling Vest is made from a breathable soft mesh for added comfort. It has a double zipper along the back for easy on and off, and it has a back leash attachment complete with an aluminum D-ring buckle sealed with PVC for sturdiness. This vest is soft and lightweight and won’t hinder your dog’s movements while running and playing. It has reflective stitching for added safety at nighttime and comes in green or orange. To use the cooling feature, soak it in water, wring out the excess, and put it on your dog.
The sizing chart may not be accurate for selecting the size you need, and the vest may dry out quickly, leaving you to repeat the process often. However, the cooling feature may last longer for dogs with thinner coats.
8. DOGZSTUFF Dog Cooling Vest
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Microfiber |
| Machine washable?: | Yes |
The DOGZSTUFF Dog Cooling Vest uses microfiber to draw heat from your dog to keep him cool. It offers UPF 50+ protection, and it’s lightweight and comfortable. Velcro straps allow for adjusting, and it works with any harness and leash. This vest works the same way as the others: soak it in water, wring out as much excess water as possible, and put it on your dog before heading outdoors. It’s machine washable on the gentle cycle, or you can hand wash with mild detergent.
The vest may not hold up well, and it doesn’t seem to work on all dogs. Some consumers state that the mesh material does not hold water, therefore, not keeping a dog cool enough.
9. CoolerDog Dog Cooling Vest
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Nylon, neoprene |
| Machine washable?: | Yes |
If you’re looking for a vet-approved cooling vest, look no further than the CoolerDog Dog Cooling Vest. This unique vest uses both a vest and a collar for maximum coolness designed to keep your dog cool in vital areas. The cooling collar can either be worn with the vest or by itself, and this product comes with two sets of FlexiFreeze ice made from 100% USA water and contains no gels or harmful chemicals. TheFlexiFreeze ice is also flexible while frozen—simply insert the ice in the designated areas of the vest and collar, and you’re done. It’s also made from lightweight neoprene and chew-resistant nylon for long-lasting cooling.
The vest and collar sets are adjustable around the neck, chest, and everywhere in between to ensure a comfortable and proper fit. The FlexiFreeze ice will only keep your dog cool for roughly 30 minutes, so this vest may not be appropriate for longer times outdoors.
10. KYEESE 2-Pack Dog Cooling Shirts
| Breed size: | Any size |
| Material: | Cooling fabric |
| Machine washable?: | Yes |
For those looking for cooling shirts rather than vests, the KYEESE 2-Pack Dog Cooling Shirts may be an excellent option. These shirts are made from a cooling fabric that is breathable and lightweight for added comfort. These shirts are a more affordable option to keep your doggie cool, and they are easy to clean and wash.
These shirts work differently from vests—wet the shirt, wring out the excess water, and place it inside the freezer for about 10 minutes. After the shirt has been in the freezer for 10 minutes, take it out and put it on your dog. A downside is there is no opening for a leash, and they may not work as well as a cooling vest; however, these are affordable and may work in a pinch.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Cooling Vests
When it comes to dog cooling vests, there are a few things to consider before buying. In this section, we’ll discuss what to look for, along with the different types of cooling vests out there to help you understand what to shop for.
What Are the Types of Dog Cooling Vests?
There are three types of dog cooling vests: evaporation-based, one that uses ice or can be put inside a freezer, and reflective vests. Let’s break them down.
Ensure a Proper Fit
Usually, the manufacturer will give you a size chart to go by with instructions on how to measure to ensure the size you order will fit your dog properly. The vest should be snug but not too tight or too loose. The vest should also allow your dog to move freely without hindering your dog’s movements.
Vests That Work With a Harness & Leash
Some vests do not have an opening for a leash, and some do. It’s best to have the opening so your dog can go on walks with the vest on. The vest should also be comfy being worn over your dog’s harness. A vest without a leash opening can work for those times you don’t need your dog on a leash, such as at a dog park or on a hike with you. You know your dog the best, and you’ll know if you need this feature in the first place.
Know Your Climate
As we’ve mentioned, the climate you live in makes your choice for a dog cooling vest important. Remember that evaporation-based cooling vests do not work well in hot, humid climates. Rather, look for vests that use ice if you live in this type of environment. You should also avoid vests that keep your dog’s coat soaked, as this could cause chafing issues. Your dog’s coat should stay dry or, at best, just a little damp.
Conclusion
We hope our reviews for the best dog cooling vests help you make the best decision for your pup’s needs. To recap, the GF Pet Elastofit Ice Dog Vest provides 4 to 6 hours of cooling, offers UV protection, features anti-microbial technology to keep pesky insects away, and is affordable for the best overall dog cooling vest. For the best value, the Canada Pooch Cooling Dog Vest uses water-retaining mesh fabric, has reflective trim for added safety at night, and is lightweight, all at an affordable price.
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Featured Image Credit: Firn, Shutterstock
