Wearable fans for hot dogs and cats to beat Japan’s torrid heat

A Tokyo apparel company has collaborated with veterinarians to develop a wearable fan for pets, hoping to attract worried owners of dogs — even cats — who can’t shed their fur coats in Japan’s scorching summer heat.The device comprises of an 80-gram (3-ounce) battery-powered fan coupled to a mesh costume that blows air around an animal’s body.

Sweet Mommy’s president, Rei Uzawa, says she was inspired to create it after watching her own pet chihuahua weary every time it was taken for a walk in the hot summer heat.”There was almost no rainy season this year, so the hot days came early,” she explained.

“In that respect, I believe we designed a product that is appropriate for the market.” After the rainy season ended in late June, Tokyo saw the longest heatwave on record, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for nine days.

“I typically employ dry ice packs (to keep the dog cool). But I think having this fan will make walking my dog simpler “Mami Kumamoto, 48, is the owner of two dogs: a tiny poodle named Pudding and a terrier named Maco. It comes in five different sizes and is priced at 9,900 yen ($74).