How to Keep Your Pet Cool in the Summer Heat
Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
There are a variety of beds, cots, and mats that might help your dog or cat get less hot while they snooze the day away, in addition to the fans and ACs that you may already be running to keep yourself cool. Cooling beds and elevated cots
There are loads of pet beds that are made with 'cooling gel foam,' but they don't actually reduce your pet's body temperature — they simply don't get quite as hot as some beds might without the gel. 'Synthetic foam (memory foam, polyfoam) retains more heat than more breathable materials (latex, cotton, etc.) do. So the 'cooling gel' is typically added to offset the extra heat retention of the foam, rather than being objectively cooler than a material with better breathability,' said deputy director Courtney Schley, who has overseen coverage of sleep products for Wirecutter.
Of the beds we tested, a couple did the job as advertised — they warmed up less than our control bed made from regular non-gel foam. The FurHaven Velvet Waves Perfect Comfort Cooling Gel Bolster Cat & Dog Bed, the 'cooling' version of our main dog bed pick, performed the best. The surface temperature of the bed rose an average of nine degrees Fahrenheit after laying on it for 5 minutes, versus an 11 degree increase on the standard bed. This is in line with FurHaven's claims that the foam 'reduces sleeping surface temperature by 1-2 degrees.' While it's not the most dramatic result, if you want to take a little bit of an edge off of the heat in your pet's bed, this model is a good option.
We also tested the Barker 4" Orthopedic Crate Bed with the BarkerChill+ optional upgrade added on top. It did about as well as the FurHaven, with its surface temp rising about 10 °F after five minutes of use, but it's roughly $100 more expensive than the FurHaven (for a size medium). Barker also sells 7' foam beds that you can add the cooling option to, so if your pet needs extra cushioning underneath them, the Barker is still a great, albeit pricey, option.
If your dog prefers a breathable, elevated bed, the K&H Original Pet Cot and the Kuranda Chew Proof Aluminum Dog Bed, are great options for both indoors and out. The Kuranda is more expensive but its thick aluminum frame makes it more durable and resistant to chewing. Cooling mats and blankets Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
'I have a part of my house which has a stone floor. And when it's hot, that's where the cats lie. They starfish out on the stone floor and cool themselves down,' said Hall.
If you don't have stone or tile flooring, a cooling mat might be your next best option. These flat, thin pads got less hot than the cooling beds in our testing. Instead of foam, they're made with a pressure-activated gel that absorbs some of the heat from your pet's body.
All the mats we tested cooled better than any of the beds we tried. The Arf Pets Self-Cooling Solid Gel Pad and The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad both got only about four degrees warmer after five minutes of using them indoors (versus the FurHaven cooling bed's nine degree increase under the same conditions).
These mats are more portable than many beds, but since they're filled with gel, they can get heavy depending on the size. And their cooling effects can fade quickly in direct sunlight or on extremely hot days.
Both manufacturers claim their mats are non-toxic, but you still shouldn't let your pet chew on the materials, and always make sure you're monitoring your animal when using one of these. Dave preferred the blanket-like Pelsbarn Cooling Mat to the gel-filled options. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
While both of these mats felt chilly and refreshing on my back after coming home all sweaty from a walk, my dog Dave, their intended customer, wasn't so into them. He's generally not into slick or slippery surfaces, and he'll rarely lay on an uncarpeted floor if there's a softer option available. So Dave often parked himself nearby on the Pelsbarn Cooling Mat. Even though this model is called a 'mat,' it feels more like a blanket. It's not filled with pressure-activated gel, but instead is made of something called 'Ice Silk' fabric, which has hollow fibers that can absorb body heat, and a breathable layer on the bottom.
Given its differences, I was genuinely surprised that the Pelsbarn performed just as well as the gel-filled mats at keeping the heat in check, increasing by only about four degrees after five minutes of use. It also cooled far better than the PetFusion Premium Cat & Dog Cooling Blanket, which is soft and light, but warmed up more than even the foam beds had. The Pelsbarn mat is also lighter than the gel mats, so you can easily pack it for a picnic, and it's machine washable. Keeping cool on the go Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
Keep an eye on the weather report. If it's going to be very hot out, 'exercise your dogs in the early morning or late in the evening,' said Klein. Tyra Davis, a veterinarian based in Hammond, Louisiana, has a handy rule she always tells her clients: No play in the heat of the day.
If your pup needs a bathroom break during the warmest part of a hot day, keep it short and try to stay in shady, grassy areas
If it's safe to go outside and not excessively hot, a harness, vest, or gaiter that uses evaporative cooling can help extend the time your pup can spend with you outdoors. Evaporation in general 'is your best help in trying to cool a dog down,' said Klein. It's similar to how people sweat: as the moisture evaporates from our skin, it makes us feel cooler. (You can also pour or spray water directly onto your pet, or get them into a pool, lake, or other body of water, said Hall.)
Evaporative cooling garments can be helpful but they won't work as well in high humidity, since the moisture is less likely to evaporate. You also need to keep tabs on them and make sure they stay wet, otherwise they can become another insulation layer making your pet even hotter.
If you're using any of these products, Klein emphasized that 'you should use common sense and take breaks, offer the dog plenty of water, and periodically check to see if there's no chafing or rubbing,' especially on the elbows or groin. Also, consider your dog's health, sensitivities, and coat to make sure it's right for them. 'Some of the cooling vests might be too cold for dogs that are older or have arthritic joints. A breed like a whippet has very thin skin versus a dog like a golden retriever, which is double coated. It might be more beneficial for that golden and it might be uncomfortable for that whippet,' said Klein. 'I think we have to treat each dog very individually and assess the dog, the climate, and the product,' he added. If you're ever in doubt, check with your vet. Cooling harnesses Dave modeled the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Harness on a hot day in June. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
The Swamp Cooler Dog Harness from Ruffwear, which has been making a version of this harness since 2008, uses three layers that work together to pull moisture and heat away from the dog.
The inner and outermost layers are made from a bluesign-approved polyester mesh, while the middle layer is kind of like a felt, according to Peter Kearns, head of product at Ruffwear. This middle layer 'holds a significant amount of water,' said Kearns, so it acts as a sort of a sponge or reservoir. 'And that action of having the water pulled away from that reservoir through that outer layer, that's what's cooling the dog down, lowering the total surface temperature,' Kearns explained. Dave also tried on the Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Harness, which fit him just as well as the Ruffwear. He did not seem to have a preference. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
The Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Harness works similarly to the Ruffwear. It uses three layers of fabric from Coolcore, which makes performance apparel for humans. These layers work together to wick, transport, and, finally, evaporate moisture (and with it, heat) away from the surface of a dog's body, according to Tara Hoth, director of product and innovation at Canada Pooch.
These harnesses performed equally well in my testing, both remaining wet and cooler than the air even after two hours in direct sunlight on a 76 degree day. Only the Ruffwear can be machine-washed (Canada Pooch says the Max Chill Harness should be spot-cleaned only, but I ran it through the machine a few times, along with the Ruffwear, and it came out fine). Neither harness can be tumble dried. And the Ruffwear required a little extra cleaning as it trapped a few small bits of dirt and debris in between the top two layers. Kearns suggested using a brush to dislodge these bits and then flushing them out with water.
The buckles on the Canada Pooch are bulkier than on the Ruffwear so they may be easier to grasp, but we found them slightly more difficult to snap in place. Cooling vests The Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Vest draped well on Dave's body so that we didn't need to use the leg straps (shown here on his rear haunch). Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
If you think your dog might benefit from something with more coverage, a cooling vest may be a better option. These vests look like little capes. Since they touch more surface area of the dog's body, they might help to cool them down a bit more. But they might take some getting used to — unlike with the harnesses, Dave seemed a little confused when he tried on the vests for the first time.
The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Vest and Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Vest are both made with the same evaporative cooling layers as their harness counterparts — the vests just have more material.
The Canada Pooch vest is made from a more flexible material than the Ruffwear, so it drapes a bit better over a dog's body, and it features rear leg straps that can help keep it in place. Because the Ruffwear vest is slightly stiffer, it can stick up a bit near a dog's rear when they bend down to sniff something. The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Vest was a bit stiffer than the Canada Pooch, and the size medium was too short to cover Dave's back (a large may have fit better). Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter Cooling gaiters and snoods Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
If you want something that's simple to pop on your dog, a gaiter or snood is lower profile, lower cost, and lower effort to use than a vest or a harness, but it likely won't cool as much either.
The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Neck Gaiter and the Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Snood both performed the best out of those we tested. They each stayed wet and cool for about two hours in direct sunlight on a warm day. The Frisco Summer Cooling Pullover Dog Gaitor is about a third of the price of the Ruffwear and Canada Pooch options, but it dried up the fastest.
The Canada Pooch comes in fewer sizes than the Ruffwear but it has a cinch toggle around the neck so you can adjust the fit. The Ruffwear comes in six sizes, but they're not adjustable. No matter which you choose, be prepared for your dog to look like a scarf-wearing hipster in the summer. Boots Dave agreed to test the WagWellies Mojave boots, but he made sure no one was looking. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter
Since the ground can often be hotter than the air above it, a breathable pair of boots may help protect your dog's paw pads from getting scalded (good luck getting shoes on a cat's feet). 'Artificial grass, black tarmac, all those things are going to absorb the radiant heat from the sun,' said Hall. These surfaces can reach up to 140 °F in the sun, Hall warned. And even with outside temperatures as low as 77 °F, the pavement can reach 125 °F, according to the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
You can test the ground by touching the back of your hand to it, said Hall, not your palm, which will be slightly more calloused and less sensitive. 'If you can't keep your hand in contact with the ground, it's not safe to be walking your dog without protective booties on,' she said. Natural grass, shady areas, and paler surfaces will be cooler, so try to stick to those.
Hot weather boots should be breathable while also protecting their paw pads from getting scalded. We like the Wagwear WagWellies Mojave, which look like Crocs. They're dotted with holes that make them breathable, and also allow water to drain out if you get caught in a summer storm.
The Ruffwear Grip Trex boots have a thick, durable sole and a breathable woven mesh upper that make them great for longer hikes over rough terrain. They don't have big holes like the Mojaves, so if you're on a hike, these can help keep dirt and large debris from getting inside the shoe.
The Mountain Ridge Tough Boots with Grip are less expensive than the Ruffwear and Mojave boots, and are easy to put on. They're sold in singles, so you can buy spares, but they're not as breathable, and they provide a thinner barrier between your dog's paws and the ground.
Whether your dog is wearing boots or not, check their paws frequently to make sure they're in good shape. Kiddie pools
If you have the space for it and your dog enjoys getting wet, a kiddie pool can be a fun way to help cool them off. The Funsicle QuickFun Wading Doggy Pool is a good option, but we haven't tested it, mostly because Dave thinks water is the enemy. The Frisco Outdoor Dog Swimming Pool is more expensive, since it has a convenient drain hole and folds up for easy storage.
Steer clear of inflatable pools since it only takes one sharp dog claw to leave you with a flat piece of wet plastic. And always use caution: since brachycephalic dogs can drown easily, Hall warned against dunking these flat-faced breeds in water where that might be a possibility. Always supervise your dog when they're in the water, whatever their breed.
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- New York Times
Is It Wrong to Push Ozempic on My Spouse?
My husband's lifestyle is very sedentary, with minimal exercise (20 to 60 minutes a week), though he does eat a largely healthy diet. I've watched him struggle with his weight over the 15 years we've been together, cycling through various approaches to diet and exercise. Even when he succeeds in losing weight, it always comes back, and now he seems to have given up. As we both approach 50, I worry that his B.M.I., which is 30, and his B.R.I. (body roundness index, a measure of abdominal fat) are high (he can't even button some of his shirts around the middle), which could lead to other health issues. I've already tried encouraging him to move more and eat better, but I can't schedule every one of my workouts for us to exercise together, and he dislikes some of the routines I do, anyway. He's also very sensitive about his weight. Is it wrong for me to try to get him to take Ozempic? I'm hoping that losing weight will help boost his energy levels, which might lead to more self-care. I know it's not my body, and I'm not his doctor, but as his wife I also know it will fall to me to care for him if health issues arise. — Name Withheld From the Ethicist: It's natural to worry about the health of someone you love — especially as the years accumulate and the lines between caring for yourself and caring for your partner begin to blur. Long-term relationships involve a particular kind of vigilance: You notice the wince, the shortened breath, the unbuttoned shirt. This isn't control; it's love in the form of everyday attention. Obesity really is correlated with health problems, and if your husband could lose weight sustainably, his life might improve in ways that matter. Historically, weight loss has been a story of perpetual disappointment — diets abandoned, exercise routines that peter out, New Year's resolutions that start wobbling the following evening when it becomes clear that celery sticks are an imperfect substitute for chocolates. GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, have helped many people break that cycle. Still, even sound advice can land wrong if it touches a nerve. If your husband is sensitive about his weight, the real challenge isn't knowing what's best; it's finding a way to talk about it that feels loving, not critical. Try to keep the focus on the prospect of his feeling fitter and on your hope for more good years ahead. Maybe suggest he talk to his doctor — not as a directive but as a way to explore options. You're not pushing him to 'fix' himself; you're looking out for him. If it turns out to be a difficult conversation all the same? Loving someone can mean risking that discomfort — for the sake of all the days you haven't yet lived together. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
