Evaporation is the only cooling method available to a dog that does not involve shade or a bowl of water, and it is why a damp wrap around the neck helps. Blood passing close to the surface there gets cooled and carried on around the body. Soak this mesh wrap, wring it out and fasten it on, and it keeps doing that quietly for as long as the fabric stays damp.

The mesh is open enough for air to pass through it, which is the whole mechanism, because a solid fabric would simply sit warm and wet against the skin. It fastens with a hook-and-loop strap rather than tying, so you can set it snug without a knot pressing on the throat, and you can loosen or re-wet it in seconds. Three sizes and three colours are offered, and it washes and dries quickly between walks.

• Breathable mesh construction for airflow
• Hook-and-loop strap fastening, with no tying needed
• Soak, wring out and wear for evaporative cooling
• Three sizes: S, M and L
• Three colours: pink, sapphire blue and emerald
• Can be worn dry as a plain neck scarf

Honest limits. Evaporative cooling needs dry, moving air. On a muggy, still British afternoon it will do very little, and even on a good day the effect fades as the fabric dries, so plan to re-wet it. This is a small help at the edges rather than protection. On a hot day, walk early, stay in the shade and carry water, and treat a panting, unsteady dog as an emergency.

Who it's for: Owners of heat-sensitive dogs and cats who want a bit of extra help on warm days, used alongside the basics.