Due to the recent problems in Japan, air conditioners have been set at 82 degrees if they are turned on at all, in order to conserve electricity. Nuclear power plants all over Japan have been having problems or are not working at all. And this summer has been hot with temperatures up to and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Setsuden, or saving electricity because of the nuclear power outages, has created a strange niche market of unique keep cool products both for humans and for dogs. From spray cans containing cooling agents that can be sprayed on bare skin to scarfs that have been treated to stay cool for hours, the Japanese have made it there business in making products to beat the heat while conserving energy.
A Japanese dog clothing manufacturer, Alphaicon’s Summer Cooling Tank Top for dogs is made out of a material that will keep the wearer cool for hours. It is made to be sprayed with water and then acts like insulation to keep the dog comfortable.
Dogs do not sweat, but they can overheat. It is important to find ways to keep them cool and prevent overheating. For more information on the signs of dehydration and how to treat/prevent it in dogs, read this article.
The makers of the Summer Cooling Tank Tops admit it took a few tries to get it right. They had tried a terry cloth material but realized it stayed heavy and soaking wet and gave the dogs shivers instead of making them comfortable. But they finally got it right, and just in time. Sales have already gone up five fold since the start of summer even though they are not the most attractive dog clothes on the market. Dog owners who normally choose frilly and fashion forward clothing for their pets realize and believe in the benefits enough to buy it anyway.
There are some cooling tank tops for dogs on the American market now, but none that are able to work as well as the newest Japanese version, so far.
As for the cooling product inventions for humans, there is a spray that is in a can and starts as a pliable foam that can be molded to the body and then turns to a gel. As a chemical in the product evaporates, it cools. It can then be taken off with no harm (so far). There are also scarfs/shawls that are infused with a material that holds water and cools the wearer for hours. Some clothing is now being sold that has this material infused into it.
Hopefully the dogs in Japan can now stay a little cooler.
About the author:
Kayleigh has always loved animals and has spent time volunteering at the local dog shelter. The love of her life is her four year old Rottweiler, Lizzie. She enjoys writing for YeePet.com since it combines her love of animals with one of her favor...
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