TOKYO: A variety of cooling goods are being offered to protect the health and lives of pets amid scorching heat across the Japanese archipelago this summer, as dogs and cats are more vulnerable to high temperatures than humans.

Of people who leave their pets alone at home while they are away for work and other reasons, about 47 pct have items to keep the animals cool, according to a survey conducted in July by Aeonpet Co., which operates Petemo pet goods stores.

“Pet owners are beginning to recognize goods to beat the heat for their pets as essential summer items,” an Aeonpet official said.

Major furniture retailer Nitori Co. sells cooling beds for pets under its N Cool bedding series. The N Cool WSP beds, the coolest ones in the series, are especially popular, with sales in June more than doubling from a year before.

Tokyo-based home electronics maker Thanko Inc. offers a pet house equipped with a plate whose temperature can be set between 14 and 40 degrees Celsius.

A wider variety of goods that can be used when pets are taken for walks are also available. Neck coolers are a popular item, according to Aeonpet.

Koizumi Lifetex, an Osaka-based company that deals with interior items and pet goods, sells a bandana that feels cool after being soaked with water and shaken. The product is selling well, a company official said.

Tokyo-based Sweet Mommy Co. offers a battery-powered wearable fan, and sales of the product have increased substantially this year.

JIJI Press