Cooling Pads for the Dogs

[Athy]

Hey, everyone, I would like to pick your brains about cooling pads! I am looking into buying a couple of crate pads that will help cool the dogs down when we are out in the heat of summer. I've looked at some that have gel, some have water cores, and some I don't know how they work!

What do you guys think? Do any of you use cooling pads in your crates? I have also seen cooling coats at the dog shows - what do you all think about them?

Anxiously awaiting your insights!

Athy

[doberdogsfd]

I have never used the cool pads but have seen a lot of the Mastiff, Frenchie and Pug folks do.

We always have a cooler with ice and H2O with us ringside with cool cloths.
I do use the coats but not when we are ringside waiting to hand a dog off to a handler.
A bit much to have to strip down and get off when the handler is taking a dog in. The handlers prefer to use the cloths also...faster.

I go no where with the dogs, without a cooler and ice in the summer. Load up the cloths and a spritz bottle with icy cold H2O and carry it in there also.
The spritzer comes in handy to spray water into their mouths and spray them down while ringside.

I have a coat and matching neck wrap for everyone. But frankly, I use my cloths more then the coats.

Cheryl

[pretty dobe]

I've had the ones that have the pellets in them and I gave them away to a rottie owner......They weighed the dogs down and the dogs didn't want to walk and they looked so sad...... The light ones made with the cloth that holds the wet are light and look nice. I have a boxer gal in CA that makes them with nice selection of contrast to make them look nice, can snap them or not when you use them. Might be a couple more days before I can make it into my work room for her information though.

[doberdogsfd]

I had one of those too. They are very heavy when they are wet. Not a fan either.

Sharon Marinelli makes a nice product. I like her coordinated neck wraps with the coats. :) The neck wraps are nice because they stay put!

I have a really spiffy custom one for Vaako...Sandy made it for him. What I like about her is, she will search high and low to find a material for you. No one else has V's pattern which I love.

Cheryl

[Athy]

What about crate pads or beds? I saw them at the Cherry Blossom Cluster. I see that some are gel, some are "mystery materials", some have water channels. I can't help but think they'd make her more comfortable if we're at an outdoor show and we're waiting for a class or are in between (as in waiting for stays or something like that). Anyone use those things?

Athy

[Elaine]

There was a vendor at our show last September who markets a line of pads, vests, neck collars etc., that have some high-tech gel that feels cold to the touch for an extended period of time (I forget if it was days or weeks). I sort of recall that the technology came from the military... and they have a line marketed for horses, as well as dogs and people It was amazing how cool the material felt. It is some clear gel… that fits in baffles… I thnk it would be great to lay on in the heat.

[doberdogsfd]

Like I said, nope...never used them. Bull Mastiff, Pug and Frenchie folks use them all the time.

Give them a shot Athy and let us know what you think. I would however, be certain that a puppy isn't chewing them or digging them. Not sure what the gel is made from, but I wouldn't assume it isn't a possible issue if ingested.

Cheryl

[Elaine]

I wish I had contact information for the vendors who have booths at our show, but they do not advertise in our show catalog, so when the show is over, they’re gone. In hindsight even a quarter page ad would give us contact info. I sort of recall that the gel material was not toxic… but I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t be harmful if ingested.

Which of course reminds me that it’s that time of year again… when I will be hitting you all up (i.e., extending the fabulous opportunity), to place an ad in our MCKC Show Catalog. The deadline is not until the middle of July... so there is lots of time to come up with something really special. Full page ads with a photo are only $62.50 (can't beat that price with a stick). The line forms over here to the right. :cool::rolleyes:

[Athy]

Well, she wouldn't be lying on it unattended for any length of time but still, no matter what, you have to be convinced that it's going to be super difficult for the dog to get to the gel. It only takes a minute.

I'll do some googling and see what I can find....

Athy