Cooling vests

Cara Sandler

Cara Sandler

Forums Enthusiast
Does anyone have a cooling vest that uses the gel packs and not water for their sheltie? What brand? I would like to get one for Spirit but she is way too small for the ones I've found online (she is 12" tall, 12 pounds, and her chest diameter is only 17"). Her coat is thick and it's very humid here so I don't think the vests that use evaporation will work well for her. Has anyone actually made their own vest? I need to figure out a way to keep Spirit cooler during the summer - she doesn't even want to go outside to go potty during the day :-( During agility class she is already on a cooling pad, with fans blowing on her, a reflective crate cover, and I hose her down, but she still seems really hot.
 
I know a traditional coat won't work but what I have in mind is sort of a vest with pockets to slide in the gel cool packs on her chest and stomach. From everything I've been reading, this sort of set up has been shown to be effective. I just can't find one small enough.
 
2GoodDogs said:
Soak her feet in cool water, spritz water on the belly. That works for my hot dog.
Click to expand...
I spray her all over but the minute she starts walking around everything evaporates and she's hot again. That's why I'm looking for a way to get cooling pads on her.
 
Cara,

I just bought the Ruffwear cooling coat and I'm going to adapt it. It has chambers in it that you can easily cut open and insert the get packs in and I'm pretty sure the extra small would fit Spirit (it's for 17" girth), It also comes in XXS. I'm either going to sew zipper on it where I cut or use velcro, haven't decided yet. I was able to buy mine at a regular store (as opposed to online) so I could look it over really well to see if I could modify it and also try it on Echo for fit. I bought mine at Zoom Room. They also carry them at REI. If you want me to take some pictures of it so you can see it, let me know.
 
Lanie said:
Cara,

I just bought the Ruffwear cooling coat and I'm going to adapt it. It has chambers in it that you can easily cut open and insert the get packs in and I'm pretty sure the extra small would fit Spirit (it's for 17" girth), It also comes in XXS. I'm either going to sew zipper on it where I cut or use velcro, haven't decided yet. I was able to buy mine at a regular store (as opposed to online) so I could look it over really well to see if I could modify it and also try it on Echo for fit. I bought mine at Zoom Room. They also carry them at REI. If you want me to take some pictures of it so you can see it, let me know.
Click to expand...
Oh, yes, please, a picture would be awesome! I can't believe it comes that small. Her girth is actually exactly 17"!!!!!

We don't have Zoom Room or REI down here in Florida :-( But if the vest looks like it will fit Spirit I will definitely order one!!!!!
 
Cara Sandler said:
Oh, yes, please, a picture would be awesome! I can't believe it comes that small. Her girth is actually exactly 17"!!!!!

We don't have Zoom Room or REI down here in Florida :-( But if the vest looks like it will fit Spirit I will definitely order one!!!!!
Click to expand...

Here's the link to the size small on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ruffwear-Swa...UTF8&qid=1469555754&sr=1-31&keywords=ruffwear
I've been looking all over for a solution as well. Echo has a very thick coat, even in summer. It's awfully warm to be running around like a maniac in hot weather with humidity. I think you can see the chambers in this picture.The large one in the middle that covers the whole back of it is easy to access from underneath the vest and a frozen gel pack will slide right in after I slice open the thin material.61QnZdpNhAL._SL1200_.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top