When summer hits, those high temperatures show no mercy. But can you imagine how much more our furry friends must feel the heat? Humans have the luxury of changing into shorts and T-shirts, but our dogs are stuck with their full, furry coats year in, year out. Fortunately, there are dog cooling mats that help cool down your pet in the warm weather. These mats work using non-toxic gels or cold water to keep your dog cool when they lie on them.
So when panting just doesn’t seem to help your dog cool down, get a dog cooling mat.
Dog Cooling Mat Reviews
We’ve scoured the market to find the best dog cooling mats available in the UK.
Pecute Dog Cooling Mat
The Pecute Dog Mat is perfect for the big dogs in your life. This waterproof self-cooling dog mat is filled with a non-toxic gel designed to absorb your dog’s body heat and keep him cool. Easy to clean and easy to transport, this mat is sure to be to your and your dog’s satisfaction. We love this mat and its our top pick with great performance for excellent value for money.
Features
- Made of scratch and wear-resistant 300D Oxford composite PVC
- 1-year guarantee — love it, or get your money back!
- Foldable for storage or travel
- Can be used both indoors, outdoors, and in the car
- Use as a standalone mat or as a topper
GoPetee Dog Cooling Mat
This is a relatively sizeable cooling mat measuring 50 x 90cm. It is pressure activated, meaning that as soon as your pet’s paws touch the mat, it starts working. It is made of non-toxic gel and sponge, making it safe and comfortable for your pet.
Features
- Made of non-toxic gel and sponge
- Easy to fold and stow away or carry
- Automatically re-cools itself as soon as your pet gets off it
- Great for travel, indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to clean thanks to its hand-washable material
ALL FOR PAWS Chill Out Fresh Breeze Dog Mat
If you have a medium-sized dog, then this mat is for you. The All For Paws Dog Mat comes in three different sizes: small, medium, or large. Cooling is activated by air flowing through the “plastic noodle” mat. The plastic noodle not only allows excellent air circulation through the mat; it offers a nice comfortable spring. It is relatively affordable too.
Features
- Washable cover
- Comes in three different sizes
- It’s an excellent playmat
- Handle makes it easy to carry
- Quick-dry material
ADEPTNA Self Cooling Gel Mat
Whether you use it standalone or in your dog’s bed, the Adeptna cooling mat will undoubtedly give your pet a cooling, refreshing experience. It is perfect for medium-sized dogs, and even your cats can take advantage of it (if your dog will share). It is non-toxic, pressure-activated, and you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
Features
- Foldable for storage and transportation
- Non-toxic
- Cools down automatically, though you can freeze it
- Made of polyester and PVC
- Great for dogs with sensitive skin
Scruffs Self-Cooling Mat (L) Blue
The Scruffs dog mat is ideal for larger dogs or a litter of pups thanks to its size. Like most of the other mats on this list, it is self-cooling and filled with non-toxic gel. The mat will cool 5-10 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature and resets in one hour. It is, however, easily torn, so keep it covered with a sheet for protection.
Features
- Large enough for extra-large dog breeds
- Does not require refrigeration
- Non-toxic
- Easy to clean and dries quickly
- Resets to cooling temperatures if left unused for an hour
Mega_Jumble Self Cooling Gel Pet Mat
This dog mat is perfect for smaller dogs, and just like the rest, it is pressure activated. The unique factor about this mat is that it is designed for dogs recovering from surgery. Mega Jumble has, therefore, made this mat very safe for your dog to use. Additionally, it is great for dogs with sensitive skin. If using the mat outside, place it in the shade, or it won’t be as effective.
Features
- Filled with non-toxic gel
- Scratch-resistant and durable
- Very easy to clean
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Great for dogs post-surgery or with sensitive skin
RSPCA Pet Cooling Mat
This is a relatively large mat with dimensions that measure 80 x 95cm. It is made of polyester and PVC materials and filled with non-toxic gel. Your pet activates this gel as soon as they step on it, which starts the cooling process. The RSPCA mat can also be used as a topper for your pet’s existing bed, making nap time all the more comfortable for your dog.
Features
- Easy to clean
- Non-toxic gel
- The cooling feature is pressure activated
- Great for both outdoor and indoor use
- Foldable for storage and transportation
Branger Dog Cooling Mat
This mat doesn’t use gel to cool your pet but instead uses a breathable mesh, high-quality cotton, and FreeCool ice silk. It is a great alternative to traditional gel cooling mats, especially if your dog loves to chew on them. However, users note that this mat loses its cool quickly, so avoid putting it in warmer spaces.
Features
- Easy to clean with soap and water
- Non-toxic as its made with natural, premium materials
- Can be used as-is or in dog crates
- Great for older pets to soothe aching arthritic joints
- Humans can use it as a seat cushion!
What To Consider When Buying a Dog Cooling Mat
Dog cooling mats aren’t always the first thing on your mind when you walk into a pet store, so it’s okay if you’re clueless as to what you should look for. That’s why we’re here to support your shopping experience.
Here are the main things you should consider as you shop around for your mat.
Easy to Clean
Dogs will pant and dribble all over their cooling mats. You want to look for a mat that is made of an easy-to-clean material. This should be a material that can be wiped down with water and dries quickly. Preferably, you’ll want either nylon or vinyl. Avoid highly absorbent materials as these ones will retain too much moisture making them hard to clean and dry. Additionally, highly absorbent material such as cotton may be too warm for your dog in the hot weather — which beats the mat’s purpose.
Portability
You may need to carry your cooling mat with you when you bring your pet along on errands. Therefore, look out for a mat that is easy to fold and stow away in your car’s boot or back seat. Additionally, it should not be too heavy. No need to lug around a wayward mat all over the place!
Versatility
Look for a cooling mat that you can set up at home, outside, and away. Additionally, a mat that you can use in the car is a good investment since you won’t have to buy one for the house and one for the car.
Size
Dogs vary in size, and so do cooling mats. Ensure that you buy a mat that is just the right size for your dog. A mat that is too small won’t cool down a large dog effectively.
Durability
Ensure that the material the cooling mat is made of is durable and can withstand wear and tear. Most dogs like to chew on anything that looks chewable — and the cooling mat is no exception. Your mat should, therefore, be chew proof. Also important to note is that most cooling mats are filled with gel as their cooling agent. This gel must be non-toxic! Should it leak thanks to your dog’s sharp teeth, you don’t want to expose it to something that could make it sick.
Benefits of Having a Dog Cooling Mat
There are many reasons why a dog cooling mat for your furry friend is a worthwhile investment. Here are the main benefits of purchasing one for your pup.
They keep your dog cool.
Of course, this is the most obvious benefit of this product. Even in the humid and hot days of summer, you can count on these mats to keep your beloved pet cool and comfortable. It’s especially good if you buy a dog mat that you can use in the car for those summer road trips, too.
Provides relief for arthritic and painful joints.
Some of the pet cooling mats that we reviewed also provide comfort for painful joints. If your pet is arthritic, had surgery, or has sore joints, this mat will provide much-needed pain relief thanks to its cooling properties. Think of it this way. When we have swollen joints or a mild injury, doctors recommend putting the body part on ice — the cold reduces swelling.
Promotes better quality of sleep.
Just like humans, dogs will not sleep well if they are too hot. A good cooling mat will help to regulate your pet’s temperature. Many users of the dog mats above, especially the Adeptna, mention how much their dog loves to sleep on the mat.
Combat heat stress.
Heat stress can lead to heatstroke, which is deadly even for your dogs. By helping to keep your dog cool, if even for 20 minutes, a cooling mat will keep heat stress at bay and keep your pet as happy as always.
Great for older dogs.
Older dogs have a lower tolerance to heat than a younger dog or pup would. It is not only ideal for regulating their temperature but is also great for achy joints and any skin sensitivity brought on by old age.
Conclusion
Remember that buying a cooling mat does not mean that you can leave your pet locked up in a hot car and let the mat be your open window. A cooling mat will not mitigate the effects of heatstroke. It will only keep it at bay. Dog cooling mats only stay cold for a little while until your dog’s movement allows it to recharge. They also may not work well if in too warm of a setting. That being written, purchasing a cooling mat for your dog is a responsible move as a pet owner. It will add to their happiness on those hot summer days and help keep them from overheating.
So go ahead and make this worthy investment. Even if your dog does not take to it immediately, consider placing it in their favourite lounging areas around the house. It’ll only be a matter of time before your furry friend realizes that the mat works better at cooling them down than the bare floor does.
