Crate Coolers
Frozen water bottles are one way to help cool a dog crate. I’ve been using them this summer to further cool my dog’s crate in my (air-conditioned) car. Select heavy plastic drink bottles; one liter bottles are a good size. Fill the bottle nearly to the top and freeze solid. Tie these bottles securely to the back or sides of the crate, especially if the crate will be in your car. Left loose, they could seriously injure your dog if you stopped suddenly or had an accident.
I would stay away from the rectangular plastic “ice substitutes” that are meant to be frozen and then placed in a cooler to keep food cold. If your dog is a chewer, the shape and texture of these packs would probably be appealing. While they often say “non-toxic” on the label, I wouldn’t want my dog ingesting that undisclosed liquid.
As always, please consider your dog and the situation. Is your dog a dedicated chewer? Is he addicted to empty soda bottles? You may want to find another way to keep him cool, or use the frozen water bottles with close supervision.
