Do they work and are they safe for dogs?

Your dog’s crate should be a comfortable safe haven. But during the hot summer months, you can think twice about confining your puppy, even for short periods of time. Aside from upgrading the AC (a good idea, if possible), how can we keep our dog’s den from becoming an unbearably hot box?

One solution that is often offered is a crate fan for dogs. They have divided the world of pets; While some pet parents think kennel cooling fans are great, others consider them unsafe or ineffective at combating heat.

To unravel the truth about kennel fans, we enlisted the help of two canine experts: Dr Corinne Wigfall, BVM BVS, a veterinarian who works with Training SpiritDogand Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, vet consultant and writer for NotABully.org. With their guidance, we’ll learn which dog parents might want to consider crate fans — and who might be over.

How do barrel fans work?

To learn how — or rather, “if” — crate fans work, it’s helpful to understand that dogs and humans cool down differently. While humans lower their body temperature through the evaporation of sweat from their skin, dogs mainly cool down by panting.

Fans are great for speeding up the evaporation process, making us feel cooler – but they don’t actually lower the temperature of the room. And since dogs don’t sweat like we do, it begs the question: can a barrel fan help dogs?

The answer is yes – but with some significant limitations.

Dr. Ushi Phillips explains: “Cage fans can help dogs cool down by quickly moving air around them. So even though the fan doesn’t actually make the air cooler, it can help dispel the hot air and speed up convection heat transfer.”

But that cooling effect only works at moderately warm temperatures, around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Dr. Ushi Phillips told Rover once the temperature rises above 90 degrees, the fan becomes useless and actually has could make things worse.

The Cool Pup is an example of a hanging barrel fan.

“Fans work best when the heat index (a combination of air temperature and humidity) is lower than the dog’s body temperature. In cases where the heat index is higher than the dog’s body temperature, the extra air circulation can actually make the dog hotter! “

For maximum cooling capacity, enclosure fans are best paired with an additional cooling method, such as cooling collar or one cooling jacket. However, on scorching hot days, the dog cage fan simply won’t cut it. And they are certainly no substitute for air conditioning and plenty of cold drinking water.

If you’re looking to make your dog more comfortable in their cage on moderately hot days, you can choose from several different types of cage fans.

Hanging fan Combines well with wire crates and usually clamps onto crates at a position of your choice. A common example is Interesting Pup, has two speed options and a built-in thermometer to help you adjust the temperature. It’s battery operated for on-the-go use, which we like. But some reviews say it eats up the battery quickly, which we don’t like.

Standing barrel fanson the contrary, tend to be both stronger and sturdier, like this crib fan from Lucky duck. It offers maximum airflow, waterproof design and rechargeable battery. The balance between power and a long-lasting battery is a premium, but depending on usage its durability could be worth it.

Mini barrel fan They don’t pack a lot of power, but they tend to be more precise, adjustable, and budget-friendly. Little clip fans like Mikikin allows you to adjust airflow where you need it, and run their three speed options on a USB rechargeable battery. A dense mesh keeps feet (and young children’s fingers) away from the blades.

What the experts say about the cooler box fan

The general consensus is that kennel fans have their place, but dog parents should lower their expectations.

While fans can help keep dogs comfortable in moderate temperatures (70 to 80 degrees), they are less effective during heat waves. So when should you use one? “If your dog’s crate is in an air-conditioned space, a fan will almost always help keep your dog cooler,” says Dr. Ushi Phillips. “But if you’re outdoors or camping, the decision to use it isn’t always so clear-cut.”

Even with their limitations, there are cases where dog crate fans come in handy. Dr. Corinne Wigfall mentions that, when combined with AC, a crate fan will make traveling in the car with your pet much more comfortable. She also considers battery-powered fans a good backup in the event of a power outage.

Are dog kennels safe?

When used correctly, both experts agree that crate fans are very safe for dogs. Battery-powered fans are generally recommended as a safer choice than wired fans, which pose a risk of electric shock (especially for people who chew a lot).

Another minor concern raised by Dr. Ushi Phillips is that fans can dry out a dog’s eyes, mouth and throat, and they can blow dust into the cage. But she reassures dog owners that “unless the dog has a specific condition or you are in an area with a lot of dust, these issues are usually nothing more than a minor annoyance.” .

Vicakorn via iStock

Dr. Wigfall also points out that, unlike AC, it is difficult to regulate the temperature with a fan. “With fans, it is difficult to control the actual temperature compared to air conditioning units, where the temperature can be set to turn on and off when the temperature is satisfactory. So your pet may be more at risk of becoming too cold or remaining too hot.”

Finally, Dr Ushi Phillips offers one last word of caution: “It should be pointed out again that fans are best for keeping dogs comfortable, not for keeping them completely safe from the heat. Some owners may rely too much on fans to keep their dogs safe from the heat.”

In other words, a crate fan can cool your dog down – but it won’t protect them from overheating on very hot days.

Final Judgment

In the right circumstances, a dog cage fan is a useful and safe way to regulate a dog’s body temperature. And there are some dog parents who may appreciate one fan more than others.

Both of our experts agree that brachycephalic (Flat) breeds, such as Pugs and Boxers, can get more miles from cage fans because they struggle to cool down effectively through panting. Additionally, overweight dogs, dogs with long or double coats, and many senior dogs are good candidates for a crate fan.

For optimal safety in hot temperatures, Dr. Wigfall offers this advice: “If your dog needs to be kenneled for short periods of time, make sure the kennel is located out of direct sunlight during the day. A cool, airy room.” She added that ideally the room would have AC. And, of course, access to cool water is important.

twinterphoto via iStock

Ultimately, barrel fans work best when combined with another tried and true cooling method, such as frozen toys or snacks, that also provide richness. Cooling mat According to Dr. Ushi Phillips, is another useful item to consider. “Cooling mats come in many variations, but by placing it on one side of the crate (rather than the entire crate) you can give dogs another way to choose what is most comfortable for them.”

For pet parents who aren’t sure if their dog will like a fan, Dr. Ushi Phillips offers this helpful advice: “You can also set the fan so it only affects half the crate. . You can then observe if your dog prefers the cooler side to the fanless side.”

How do we choose?

The kennel fans featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive review of customer reviews across multiple retail platforms, and interviews with experts. veterinary medicine. We prioritize convenience, durability, battery life, and power. We are also guided by our own experience of living and playing with our own much-loved and steadfast pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

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