Cooling vests for Husky and Malamute

Two heavy-coated Arctic breeds in the same summer heat — that's a real concern. Heatstroke is a genuine risk for dogs like Huskies and Malamutes in warm weather; they were built for cold, not sun. Cooling vests work through evaporative cooling, which means you wet them and the water slowly evaporates to draw heat away from the body — but they work best in lower humidity, so if you're in a humid climate they're less effective than in dry heat. To point you in the right direction: what's the climate like where you are, and are these two dogs active outdoors or mostly resting during the hottest parts of the day?

That's a classic situation with those breeds — the young one doesn't know when to stop, and the older one is already feeling it before the day really gets going. 28–30°C is well within the danger zone for both of them, and the Malamute's age means his ability to regulate temperature is less efficient than it used to be. The humidity in southern England is moderate, so evaporative cooling will work reasonably well. The thing I'd focus on is coverage — Huskies and Malamutes have dense double coats, so you need a vest that sits close enough to the body to actually conduct cooling through the fur. Can I ask: are they similar in size, and roughly what do they weigh?

Good to know — you'll need two different sizes, but the same product works well for both. I'd recommend the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler for each of them. It's a well-made evaporative cooling vest that uses three layers — an outer shell that holds water, an inner layer that wicks moisture toward the dog's skin, and a reflective outer face to deflect radiant heat. For double-coated dogs it's one of the few designs that actually gets cooling contact through the coat rather than just sitting on top of it. The Husky would likely be a Medium or Large, and the Malamute would want an XL — Ruffwear's sizing chart uses girth measurement, so measure around the widest part of their chest before ordering. Wet it thoroughly before putting it on, re-wet every 20–30 minutes in direct sun, and keep the Malamute out of the midday heat regardless — at 8 years old, the vest is a support tool, not a substitute for shade and rest.

The vest handles active cooling while they're outside, but I'd pair it with a few practical habits rather than more products. Keep walks to early morning or after 7pm, offer water constantly, and for the Malamute in particular watch for signs of heat stress — heavy panting that doesn't slow down, glazed eyes, stumbling, or gums going pale or bright red. Those are vet-immediately signs. If you want something for indoors, a self-cooling mat like the Green Pet Shop Cooling Mat gives them somewhere to lie that pulls heat passively — no water or electricity needed. But the Swamp Cooler is your main tool for outdoor time, and for both dogs it should make a real difference.

That's the right call. The Malamute is the priority — age reduces heat tolerance significantly, and it's easy to miss the early warning signs when he's just lying in the garden looking calm. The Husky will tell you loudly when he's had enough; the Malamute probably won't. Ruffwear Swamp Cooler is on Amazon UK in both sizes, and the sizing guide on the listing is accurate if you go by girth. Stay cool out there.