The 8 best cooling dog collars and bandanas for 2021

HOT WEATHER is tough for dogs and when the mercury rises, the best cooling dog collars and bandanas will provide instant relief for your treasured companion. 

On sweltering summer days, dogs can be prone to overheating and a cooling collar or bandana will make a world of difference to the comfort of your four-legged friend. 

While many collars contain cooling gels that are naturally cooler than a dog’s body temperature, some need to be submerged in water and others can be put in the fridge and then worn. 

As soon as they are put onto your dog, all collars and bandanas will slowly start to heat back up, so it’s important to find out how long they will stay cool for. Depending on the type of collar you go for, they can lower your dog’s temperature significantly and provide cooling for anywhere between 30 minutes to a few days.

Doggy collars aren’t the only way to help pups from overheating in the warm weather: you’ll also find cooling mats for dogs, which are typically gel-filled and pressure-activated to start cooling, plus refreshing doggy paddling pools for when only a dip will do.

We’ve rounded up some of the best cooling dog collars available to buy now.  

This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.

1. All For Paws Chill Out Dog Bandana

All For Paws

(AD) All For Paws Chill Out Dog Bandana, from £5.99 from Amazon – buy here 

A simple-to-use bandana that works by being soaked in water, this best-selling product scores points for its durability and practicality – it has a non-toxic, ice gel pad inner core that removes heat from your dog’s skin, plus it’s really easy to pop on with a simple velcro fastening. 

Thousands of glowing reviews from shoppers praise the bandana for how well it stays on, how much their dog likes wearing it and its effectiveness at keeping their pooch cool, including this happy customer: “Our little terrier was laying there panting in the heat a few days ago, I put the bandana on him and he quickly stopped and was able to rest quietly.”

It comes in a fetching water ripple design and is available in four sizes, which range in price. 

2. Lautus Dog Cooling Collar

Lautus

(AD) Lautus Dog Cooling Collar, £7.49 from Amazon – buy here 

A sleek-looking collar that wraps nicely around your dog’s neck, this product is made from a “microperforation and cooling fibre technology”, which is a lightweight absorbent material that lets water evaporate quickly, which in turn creates a cooling effect.

A great slimline option for dogs not keen on bigger bandanas or cooling vests, this cooling collar velcroes on easily and online reviewers have reported even fussy hounds are happy to leave it on. 

It can be submerged in water for one minute, wrung out and popped on your loyal companion for sweet relief on sweltering days. 

3. Cool Club Pet Ice Cooling Dog Bandana

Cool Club

Cool Club Pet Ice Cooling Dog Bandana, from £5 from Pets At Home – buy here 

Starting at just £5 for the smallest size and going up to £10 for the largest, this simple, lightweight bandana is a great value option for summer days when your dog’s feeling the heat. 

Made from an airy mesh, it’s soaked in water then wrung out and velcroed together around your dog’s neck to keep them refreshed while out on walks or during hot days. 

While the brand says the bandana stays cool for up to six hours, shoppers agree that after three to four hours it’s worth popping in water again in order for it to achieve the same cooling effect. 

4. Dogsnug Cooling Dog Bandana

Dogsnug

Dogsnug Cooling Dog Bandana, £16 from Dogsnug – buy here 

One for the stylish pups in the pack, this patterned bandana is available in four different sizes and 10 fashion-forward prints, including this leopard look, which we’re rather taken with.

To use it, you submerge the bandana in water then tie it in a knot around your dog’s neck, with the widest part falling on your dog’s chest. The makers, Dogsnug, claims it stays cold for up to five hours. 

Designed to be reversible, with a different print on the other side, your dog will be cool in more ways than one when sporting this fetching neck accessory. 

5. Stock Show Cooling Bandana

Stock show

Stock Show Cooling Bandana, £23.56 from Amazon – buy here 

When your dog just wants to chill but still look good, this vibrant cooling bandana may be the answer. 

Part collar, part scarf and 100 per cent chic, this comfy, squashy product is made from a padded canvas cotton, which holds gel-based ice packs inside to keep your doggo happy in the heat.

It needs to be put in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes then can be worn by your dog for instant relief from sweltering conditions. It comes in one size, with an adjustable drawstring to adjust the neck strap, making it suitable for most sizes of pooch. 

6. Aqua Coolkeeper Cooling Collar

Aqua Coolkeeper

Aqua Coolkeeper Cooling Collar, from £4.85 from Vetsend.co.uk – buy here 

This clever collar works at keeping your dog comfortable using non-toxic HydroQuartz technology hidden inside. It’s activated once soaked in water, when it becomes a gel that absorbs your dog’s heat. 

While the collar itself will feel dry after an hour’s wear, it continues to cool the neck and in turn the dog’s body underneath – similar to keeping your wrists under cold running water. 

The makers claim the collar is effective for a whopping five days, and some reviewers agree that after three to four days their dog was much happier and panting less, but we’d suggest holding it under running water at least every day for the maximum cooling effect. 

It comes in three cute patterns and a massive range of sizes, from XXS to XXXXL. 

7. All Four Paws Chill Collar 

All four paws

All Four Paws Chill Collar, £29 from Amazon – buy here 

Unlike any other cooling collar in our line-up, this All Four Paws product is made from a non rigid silicone, which can be filled up with water then popped in the freezer. 

It provides cooling for one to two hours and its innovative design is most similar to a standard dog collar with a plastic buckle to secure it in place. 

It comes in four sizes, from S to XL, but it’s best suited to big dogs that can handle its heavier weight.

8. 3 Peaks Cooling Dog Bandana 

3 peaks

3 Peaks Cooling Dog Bandana, from £6.75 from Pets At Home – buy here 

There’s something a little bit bib-like about this 3 Peaks bandana, which let’s face it, only increases the cuteness factor and the extra material provides a bigger surface area to cool your dog’s neck and chest. 

Designed for dogs who love the outdoors, this breathable necktie can be immersed in water and it fastens at the back much like a traditional collar. 

Like all collars that require water in order for the cooling effects to work, water can then be re-applied while you’re out and about or it can be re-immersed at home. 

Do dog cooling bandanas really work?

In hot weather, dogs counteract the heat by panting as they are unable to sweat. To cool them down effectively, the most efficient areas to target are the neck, chest and paws. Cooling bandanas work well to cool the neck area, which in turn cools down the rest of your dog’s body. 

Cooling collars work by absorbing and locking in water, which evaporates and takes away excess body heat from your dog’s blood stream.

A cooling bandana or collar provides an easy, lightweight and often good value way for your pup to stay safe, comfortable and cool. Unlike a vest, which can bother some dogs, a collar is generally something they’re used to wearing and is a stress-free way to keep them cool.  

Where to buy dog cooling collars

Your local pet shop may have one or two cooling bandanas, but many independent stores have a smaller range and tend to focus on cooling mats or vests. 

If your dog doesn’t want a vest or mat (or needs a collar or bandana as well as), it’s best to go online, where pet retailers like Pets At Home have a small range, and other shops like Amazon also have a few options. 

Are dog cooling collars safe?

The vast majority of cooling products for dogs are safe and are made from breathable, non-toxic materials that won’t cause any harm to your dog when worn or if they’re chewed. 

However it’s always worth double checking what a collar or bandana is made of to ensure it won’t harm your dog if it does get eaten. 

Even with the right cooling collar or bandana, you should still take precautions to ensure your dog is safe in the sun, including: providing plenty of cool drinking water, giving them access to shade and only walking them in the mornings and evenings when temperatures are lower.

How much are dog cooling collars and bandanas

Prices vary slightly depending on how big your dog is, but generally they start at around £4 for a small dog and a collar with a simple design. 

They can climb up to around £30 for very large dogs and more technical collars. 

What is the best cooling bandana for dogs?

The best cooling bandana for your dog is one that’s comfy for them to wear, is easy to get on and off and provides lasting relief from the heat of the day, whether that’s by immersing it into water, popping it into the fridge or activating a gel inside that absorbs the heat. 

If it looks good and has a fun design it’s a great bonus and will keep your pooch looking as well as feeling cool. 

Enjoyed our roundup of the best cooling dog collars and bandanas? We’ve designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won’t break the bank.

Does your pup need more cooling power? Check out our edit of the best cooling mats.

You might also be interested in this roundup of the best dog nail clippers.