Cool Coats
![]() |
Teller models his Cool Coat from Saratoga Horseworks |
The reflective mesh coats do reflect the sun when the dogs are outside, but really don't seem to work to make the dog cooler inside, in the shade, etc - even if you wet the lining. I bought one for Murphy when they first came out and returned it in virtually like-new condition.
Cool Mats
![]() |
Canine Cooler |
Here is a step by step for making your own Miracool Mat: http://www.crystals.us/CICoolTies.htm
The vinyl bladder model seems to be more effective for slightly longer periods of time, but the mats are heavy to cart around (containing 1-2 gallons of water) and always seem to spring leaks at the seems - even when treated with kid gloves.
Zentek Mats
Finally a magic bullet for keeping dogs cool in the summer! Or so they were advertised. I bought two of them, slightly smaller than would normally fit my dogs on the theory that they would choose to lay on them or they wouldn't. I didn't want to force the mats on them in crates, both dogs run really hot so I wanted them to tell me if they made a difference. Teller is FAMOUS for pushing a bath mat out through the bars of his crate in the van when he was annoyed that it was too hot (he'll happily sleep on bathmats when it's cold outside). He made a similar review of the Zentek mat. Not taking his word for it I decided to ride home from the LEAP trial sitting on the Zentek. The ambient air temperature was well above 80, my body heat certainly above 85 degrees and I found the Zentek mat to act like any other fabric - definitely holding heat in and making me feel HOTTER than I would have felt with my legs directly on the car seat. I had high hopes though!!!
Shade Cloths
It's possible with some thought and preparation to keep dogs cool(ish) and safe in a car. Be very clear that emphasis is on "thought and preparation" in that statement. Cars, dogs and heat can be a deadly combination - so take care and monitor your dogs. Mesh shade cloth covering the entire surface of the car - all windows and doors open (easier with a van), light colored cars can make a dog's environment just about equivalent to chilling in the shade. More on that in this post. You'll want to get cloths that are larger than you think you need. I use two 10'x12' cloths to cover my van. Best pricing on these cloths are at Pet Edge and (occaisionally) Horse.com.
Water Jugs
One of the least expensive ways to keep your dog cool is to change his climate. A/C works when we're at home - but what about on the road? I like using frozen water jugs. It's hard to re-freeze jugs when we're on the road - but it's relatively easy to use hotel provided ice to fill a jug and place that jug in the dogs' crates. Dogs can decide how to interact with the jugs. Even a jug filled with ice cubes will help.
No comments:
Post a Comment