Summer is HERE, and that means so is the 90-100+ degree weather; so if you’re looking for ways to keep your dog cool during your travels, your walks, or even just at home, look no further!

I’m originally from Las Vegas, where we can experience dry, intense heat as high as 117 degrees, and while it doesn’t get that hot everyday, it is still very normal for it to hit at least 100 everyday throughout the week. I now live in Los Angeles, where the weather is 10x better than Vegas, but there are still days where it can get pretty toasty, especially during the summer.

If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably somewhere just as hot and looking for ways to make the days more manageable for your pup. You’re likely waking up earlier to walk when it’s cooler, waiting until the evening when the heat dies down, or maybe you have a working dog or service dog who needs to work outside with you and you’re worried about the heat.

All that to say… I’ve found all the gear that helps my dog beat the heat and I’m here to share it all with you!

First, understand there will be limitations. You could have all of the best cooling gear in the world, everything anyone’s ever recommended, but that doesn’t mean they won’t still feel hot. Not everything is made for every dog or every type of “heat” (dry heat vs humid heat). Age also plays a role in how well they tolerate heat. There will be days that are just TOO hot for your dog, and you’ll have to leave them home where the A/C is blasting, or you may have to switch up your adventures planned for the day. If the risk for overheating is high, it’s important to make the best, safest decision for your pet and to not rely on cooling gear alone. DO NOT risk it.

In-Home

Let’s start with the things I have inside the home. You might be thinking that cooling equipment indoors is unnecessary; there’s air conditioning, wood or tile floors, fans, and open windows, but for some pet parents (like myself), those aren’t always reliable or enough, and we may need a little more help in making sure our dogs are comfortable in their own home.

dog standing on a raised Veehoo cot — I love a good cot! Perfect for training and keeping your dogs cool and comfy at the same time.

Raised Cot

Raised cots, also known as elevated dog beds or place cots, aren’t just perfect for training; they’re also great for keeping the dogs cool. The bed is typically made of a breathable, slightly stretchy mesh material with four legs, and is raised a few inches off the ground, providing air flow through the mesh and beneath your resting pup. I personally have the Veehoo raised cot stationed in my living room, where my dog can lie on it when the wooden floor just isn’t enough for her. These raised cots are a multipurpose dog bed that can be used indoors or outdoors, for cooling, training, and are more comfortable on your dog’s joints than the hard floor.

Cooling Mats

There are two types of mats I have so let’s talk about them both.

One cooling mat you might not have heard of is the Rywell cooling mat. It’s a more like a thin blanket, but it still has a mild cooling effect. The mat is made of Arc-chill fabric, which is a pressure‑activated material developed in Japan. The blanket also has a thermochromic (color-changing) coating, so when your pup lies on it for awhile, the part of the blanket where your dog’s warm body was laying fades to white —but don’t worry, the color will reappear shortly! These mats are thin, lightweight, and easy to pack or carry, making it a convenient cooling blanket to keep in your car, in your home, or in your bag!

The most commonly seen cooling mats out there are the gel cooling mats, and the main brands I see and use are Coleman and Chillz.

These are flat mats made from durable PVC, nylon, or vinyl on the outside, and usually a non-toxic or water-based gel on the inside. So if your dog is a chewer or in their chewing phase, this might not be the right product for you, yet. The gel mats are instantly cool to the touch, so you don’t need to freeze them (though you can if you’d like, just layer something over it so it’s not uncomfortable for your dog). These mats keep your dog cool by absorbing body heat when they lie on it. Because this is portable, easy to clean, and lightweight, there are are my preferred cooling mats to use. They’re great whether used indoors, in the crate, or outdoors (just not in direct sunlight and be careful not to set it on something that might poke a hole in them!)

I have the gel cooling mat in my bedroom, so when the carpet or the plush bed is too warm for my dog, she has her mat alternative to lie on. I also use the gel cooling mat when we travel —not just to keep my dog cool, but to also act as a bed or place for her in different environments. (We love multipurpose items around here!) The cooling blanket I have is laid out inside our car kennel, and, if I don’t have the gel one on me, at least I have that as a backup!

Presently, I have both the cooling gel mat and the cooling blanket, and I have to say the gel mats have been in my life for a very long time, and will continue to be my main mat! Honestly, I just might also buy one for myself it feels so nice!

Frozen Treats

We all crave a frozen treat during the summer, whether that be an organic smoothie, ice cold popsicles, a milky ice cream, or fruity acai bowls. You know who else would also love a sweet treat? Your dog! What a nice surprise it would be for them to enjoy a frozen snackie on a hot day.

There are countless recipes out there for you to try, so I won’t go into details on WHAT to make, but I will share with you what I use to make them.

West Paw Toppl

The West Paw Toppl is a flexible yet durable rubbery toy that’s shaped like a cup with a rounded bottom. There’s a hole on the side and there are soft ridges inside that can hold treats or act as a bit of an obstacle for your dog to work around. Layer these with as much or as little as you’d like and pop them in the freezer! The Toppls come in many sizes and colors and while 1 frozen Toppl can be sufficient in cooling, two can be stacked together to increase the difficulty and last longer for your dog! (Think… double-scooped ice cream!) — I once timed my dog while she had two frozen Toppls stacked together and she went at it for a whole hour!

Diggs Groov

If you’re using the traditional wire-crates, the Diggs Groov looks like a popsicle and it’s a great cooling and enriching snack that can also double as a training aid for crate training! Spread your dog’s favorites on both sides, pop on the shell to keep everything in place, and leave it in the freezer! When you’re ready, you can insert it into the dog’s crate, giving them a cooling snack and a little mentally enriching activity.

Lickimat

A lick mat is a flat mat with bumps, ridges, squares, or dots, that is designed for your dog to lick over and over. My first introduction to lick mats was the brand Lickimat, and they continue to make great lick mat products that I use and love! You can add as little or as much as you’d like, spreading whatever your dog enjoys like yogurt, kefir, or broth and sprinkling a few extra goodies like blueberries, strawberries, or bananas! For non summer days, these can be used as is, but since I always opt for making things a longer lasting treat, I always freeze anything that goes on my Lickimats. Lickimat has all kinds of products that you can freeze from mats that lay flat on the floor, bowls that wobble, and cups that stand just to name a few!!

Woof Pupsicle

The Woof Pupsicle is an interactive, rubbery toy that unscrews so you can place pre-made treats, or your own homemade frozen goods with their treat tray. (Not to toot my own horn or anything, but Lovely loves the frozen snacks I make instead of the pre-made stuff.) I enjoy pre-prepping several frozen balls in a container so that I always have one ready when needed.

A simple ice cube tray would also suffice in making small and quick-to-consume frozen treats, but honestly, when you turn their snackies into a long-lasting form of enrichment…?? Multipurpose baby!!

Outdoors

We’ve talked about the equipment you can use indoors (though I would say those options are great for outdoors too!!), so now let’s talk about my favorite gear for the great outdoors!

Cooling Vests and Harnesses

When going out on hikes or even daily walks on warmer days, it can get hot fairly quickly. Dogs can’t just regulate their temperature by shaking off their fur coat, and cooling off under the shade just isn’t enough to maintain a cooler body temp, so these vests or harnesses are, in my experience, the best way to keep their body temperature down. I mainly use Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooling vests and harnesses. Their gear is made up of 3 layers:

A soft, meshy, wicking outer layer, which reflects heat, provides shade, offers UPF 50+ and facilitates evaporation
A middle layer that acts similarly to a reservoir and absorbs the water for evaporation.
A mesh lining, which helps to keep your dog dry.

When dry, their cooling gear provides sun protection and shading. When wet, it uses fast evaporative cooling to keep your dogs cool, making these vests perfect for dry heat. Humid heat, however, is another story. The vests and harnesses work by evaporation, which draws the water out of the vest and pulls heat away from their body. In humid conditions, evaporation slows down because there is already moisture in the air. That means that the water on the cooling vests evaporate very slowly, if at all, and end up being a wet and heavy vest on your dog, trapping heat instead of releasing it.

Ruffwear Cooling Vest

My first introduction to cooling vests was Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooling Vest. This vest provides full coverage over the back, chest, and belly. As the water evaporates from the vest, it also pulls heat away from the body, effectively cooling down you dog. Of all the cooling wearables, this one provides the most coverage, and, in my opinion, seems to stay cool the longest. There’s an insert area at the back of the vest, where you can connect to your dog’s harness if they’re wearing one underneath. The vest goes over your dog’s head, and the tummy coverage tucks neatly into the slits where you’ll find one adjustable clasp on each side of your dog.

Ruffwear Cooler Core

I also have Ruffwear’s Swamp Cooler Core; a small cooling attachment for their brand of regular harnesses. This does exactly what it’s called: it cools their core. It’s made up of the same material and layers as the Swamp Cooler Harness and Vest, but provides the least amount of coverage. I use these on days that feel a little warm, but may not necessarily warrant the need for full or half coverage. If it might be a little warm out but you don’t want to soak a whole harness or vest and put it on your dog, this small add-on helps provide a little bit of chill to your dog’s tummy.

Lovely, a mini Goldendoodle wearing a gray Ruffwear Samp Cooler Harness — Lovely rocks her Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Harness majestically.

Ruffwear Cooling Harness

A couple of years later after Ruffwear came out with their Cooler Vest and Core, they released their Swamp Cooling Harness, which was fit my needs the most. It had the look of a harness but worked like the cooling vest. On the back, there is a metal ring leash attachment and a sturdy handle; perfect for quick lifts. It serves the same purpose as the vest, but it has less coverage. The vest easily slips over your dog’s head, with adjustment points all over, including two clasps on each side.

I find the vest keeps my dog cool for about 5-6 hours, whereas the harness lasts about 4-5 hours. Either way, it’s easy to re-wet when necessary!

Shoes

Shoes are not simply for looks and believe it or not, there will be days that your dog really needs them. Have you seen those dogs on walks who are constantly lifting up their paws? It’s because it’s too hot out and their paws are burning. If the floor is too hot for you to place your hand on for 7-10 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. The right kind of shoes are meant to protect your dog’s paws from harm, discomfort, and long-term damage. Shoes aren’t just for the summer though, since they come in handy on rocky trails, and muddy, snowy, or wet conditions. I have shoes for rain, shine, and hiking adventures so let’s talk about them!

Ruffwear’s Grip Trex Dog Boots

Ruffwear’s Grip Trex dog boots have been a part of my cooling gear for many, many years. They are my go-to for hikes and daily use because they’re solid, have great grip and they’re breathable; so I don’t have to worry about blocking airflow in my dog’s paws. These shoes perfectly protect your pup’s paws during hikes on rugged terrain, running, and general walks. I also find that the shoe’s grip also helps give my dog a little boost when scrambling up rocks during hikes. These are not waterproof, but they do dry quickly (though it might take awhile longer for your dog’s paws to dry up too!)

Since many dogs may not have the same-sized paws in the rear as they do in the front, Ruffwear sells these shoes in sets of 2, so you can buy the right size for the front and back.

Wagwear Wagwellies

Although I found the Ruffwear Grip Trex dog boots solid, durable and breathable for my dog, I felt like I didn’t need such thick shoes on my average day-to-day outings. That’s when I found Wagwear’s Wagwellies. No, they’re not Crocs, but they are flexible, light, super cute, and exactly what I’m looking for on hot summer days. It’s easy to slide your dog’s paws in them, and the wrap material goes well above the ankles with a nice long Velcro strap so you can ensure that your dog doesn’t kick off their shoes! Since these do have holes in them, your dog’s feet can get wet, so do keep that in mind when you’re out. Their shoe sell in a set of 4 and sizes range from XXXS-XXXL, so you should definitely be able to find the right fit for your dog!

Typically what I carry for myself! Sunglasses, a hat, one fan, one type of bowl, water bottle, sunscreen, & an umbrella!

Water + Bowl

Not only do I carry water for myself, but it’s important that I have enough water for my dog too. I actually prefer to bring water for the both of us rather than carry a bottle for me, and a water/bottle contraption for my dog. To carry as little as possible, and to avoid buying unnecessary items, I carry one bottle and one small bowl.

A collapsible or foldable water bowl is ideal for carrying, storing, quick unpacking, and cleaning. I use a regular collapsible bowl you might see everywhere, for regular outings, and I love using my Kurgo Zippy Bowl for longer trips.

The collapsible bowls are made of silicone and are reinforced with a plastic rim, and are shallow, so they’re ideal for quick sips. The Kurgo bowl is waterproof, holds alot more water, and folds and zips up into a triangle when you’re done!

If You’re Still Reading This…

…kudos to you! I won’t go into too much detail, but I want you to keep yourself cool too; not just your pups. So for my own self, I always carry water (enough for me and my dog), a hat, sunglasses, an umbrella, and sometimes a little fan. If it’s so hot that these won’t be enough to keep me cool, I probably wouldn’t be outside anyway and I definitely wouldn’t have my dog out either!

Lastly, keeping your dog cool in the summer heat doesn’t have to be complicated — just intentional. With the right gear, frozen treats, and small adjustments to your routine, you can help your pup stay safe, happy, and comfortable all through the high temps! Whether you’re heading out for a walk, planning a weekend adventure, or just hanging out at home, these tips and tools are tried-and-true ways to beat the heat. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay cool!

Have a favorite way to keep your dog cool? Share it in the comments or tag me on socials — I’d love to see how you and your pup are beating the heat this summer!

You can find the curated Amazon list of my favorite cooling gear >>HERE!<<

Here is a list of any current links and discount codes available:

West Paw: PUPSCOUTS | 10% off at checkout
Diggs: Link provides 12% off at checkout
Wagwear: Link or PUPSCOUTSDOGTRAINING | 10% off at checkout
Ruffwear: https://alnk.to/9bw45iv
LARQ: https://get.aspr.app/SHyue

Disclaimer:

While I am a professional dog trainer, the information shared on this blog is based on my training, experience, and best practices in the field. Every dog is unique and this content is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for an in-person assessment or medical advice from a licensed veterinarian. Please consult with a professional before making any decisions related to your dog’s health, diet, or behavior. The author and business are not liable for any harm, loss, or damage resulting from the use or misuse of the information or products mentioned on this site. By using this site, you understand that I am not responsible for any outcomes that result from applying the information or using the products mentioned here.
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