WHEN the weather warms up, our four-legged friends may need a hand to stop them from overheating – and the best dog cooling mats provide just that.
Of course they’re not just for dogs, you may need a cat cooling mat to keep your feline happy and stress-free on hot days, and the great thing about pet cooling mats is they come in all shapes and sizes.
Yes, even if your fur baby is a rabbit, rat or hamster, you’ll find a cooling mat to suit them.
Not all cooling mats function in the same way. Some need to be refrigerated or charged up first and work their magic by cooling down your pet's skin and therefore dropping their body temperature.
Others are made from material that is designed to absorb heat and prevent your pet from overheating.
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You can use cooling mats to protect your pet during stuffy car journeys, pop one in their bed or crate to help them sleep on hot nights, or use them outdoors alongside a pet paddling pool to keep your pet comfortable and chilled during a heatwave.
There are designs to fit every situation and taste. Or why not make a style statement – fruit-design cooling mat anyone?
Best pet cooling mats at a glance:
- Best cooling mat for dogs: Lauva Pet Dog Cooling Mat
- Best for cats: Cool Club Raised Air Dog Bed with UV Canopy
- Best pet cooling mat for small pets: Snuggle Safe Coolpad
- Best value: Scruffs Self-Cooling Pet Mat
- Best pet cooling mattress: Scruffs Dog Cool Bed
Lauva Pet Dog Cooling Mat
- Lauva Pet Dog Cooling Mat, £19.99 from Amazon - buy here
This pet cooling mat works to cool both pets and their owners down.
Made with a pressure-activated, non-toxic gel, it delivers a continuous cooling feeling for your pet and absorbs their body heat so they don't overheat or get dehydrated.
The mat is said to keep your furry friends 7-9 degrees below ambient temperature - which is ideal after long, hot walks or park hangs.
The folding design packs away easily for storage or travel, and it recharges automatically every 20 minutes.
It has a bevvy of five-star reviews from customers who are impressed with its quality and how much their pets are enjoying it.
SnuggleSafe Coolpad
- Snuggle Safe Coolpad 30 x 25cm,£10 from Amazon - buy here
Got a small animal in your home that needs cooling down this summer? This SnuggleSafe cooling pad – another pressure-activated, gel-filled design – is just the right size for rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters.
It self-charges and instantly cools on contact, so there's no need to refrigerate or freeze it. And, it's non-toxic and bite-resistant, so you can rest assured that it's totally safe for your pet to use unsupervised.
It can also keep small cats and miniature dogs cool in hotter weather and is ideal for use all summer long – indoors or outdoors in the shade.
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How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 8 x 158 x 197mm, Best suited to: Rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters
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Danish Design Cooling Mat for Dogs
- Danish Design Cooling Mat for Dogs, from £18.49 at Waitrose - buy here
This highly-rated option can be nabbed from supermarket-giant Waitrose in three different sizes (small, medium and large).
It works well as either a standalone mattress or a topper to your companion's bed – we reckon it would also be great as a travel mat for summer beach trips because it folds away well.
The mat is filled with a pet-friendly non-toxic gel and is naturally cooling, ensuring very happy, chilled pets!
You don't need to put it in the fridge or freezer for it to work, but you can do so for half an hour if you need a longer-lasting chill.
It's also very durable, so is easily cleaned – no matter how muddy the paws.
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 40 x 50cm (small), 50 x 90cm (medium), or 70 x 100cm (large) Best suited to: Dogs, cats and smaller pets
All For Paws Chill Out Fresh Breeze Cooling Dog Mat
For pet owners looking for something more than a basic cooling mat, this springy mattress could be just what you want. It's the perfect cross between a comfy dog bed and a refreshing cooling mat because the springy design is well-ventilated, allowing air to flow through it freely for maximum comfort.
Both you and your pet can sleep easy knowing that the cooling, zip-fastened mattress cover is machine-washable, too. Just remove the cover and stick it in the washing machine on a cold wash.
The mattress is available in small and medium sizes to suit your breed. So, if you have multiple dogs, you can tailor their bed to their size.
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 36 x 50 x 6cm, Best suited to: Dogs, cats and smaller pets
Esoes Fruit Ice Cooling Gel Mat
- Esoes Fruit Ice Cooling Gel Mat, £13.99 from Amazon - buy here
This fun, fruity, gel-filled pet cooling pad looks like a treat in the garden or sitting room and comes in a selection of fruit prints, including lemon and watermelon designs.
Not only does it work for dogs and cats who need a refresh, but it also doubles as a sofa or chair cushion and a pet pillow, with a rim for pets to rest their heads on.
It's filled with a cooling ice crystal gel that starts to cool as soon as your pet steps on it. You don't need to cool it in the fridge first or plug it in.
Perfect for giving your garden that tropical feel... while keeping your pet refreshed.
How to use: Pressure activated, Diameter: 35cm, Best suited to: Dogs, cats and smaller pets
Branger Pet Cooling Mat
- Branger Pet Cooling Mat, from £7.99 at Amazon - buy here
For those who aren't into the idea of a gel-filled cooling mat, this ice silk, cotton and breathable mesh mat is a pleasing alternative. It absorbs your pet's body heat, which in turn keeps them cool.
The non-toxic design can be wiped clean with soap and water, and works well on its own, in crates, in the car or in your dog's bed.
It's also designed to help soothe aching joints and arthritis in older pets.
Customers like it for guinea pigs and cats as well as dogs, and recommend it for anyone with an animal who might be tempted to chew through the gel-filled designs.
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 25 x 21.3 x 2.3 cm, Best suited to: Dogs and cats
Scruffs Self-Cooling Pet Mat
- Scruffs Self-Cooling Pet Mat, from £19 at Amazon - buy here
This pet cooling mat is a well-reviewed choice. Its main selling point? It's typically 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature, which is exactly what you want during a heatwave.
The gel-filled design stays cool for about an hour; to reset it, just leave it unused for another hour.
Choose from four different sizes, including L and XL to accommodate larger breeds.
One post reads: "My dog likes her cool mat and does sit on it frequently. Easy to fold to transport to the car and other places."
Another reviewer writes: "My dog is a very large puppy. She has scratched at the mat but it has stood up to this."
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 50 x 40cm (small), 76 x 62cm (medium), 91 x 69 (large) and 119 x 75cm (XL), Best suited to: Dogs, cats, and smaller pets
Scruffs Dog Cool Bed
- Scruffs Dog Cool Bed, from £40 at Dunelm - buy here
Trying to sleep during a heatwave is really difficult for humans. But, can you imagine the added irritation when you're a dog or cat that is covered in fur? This bed is ideal for that situation.
It has a foam base and polyester filling for support and comfort, but its cooling inner mat also provides cold relief. You don't need a fridge or freezer for this one because it's filled with non-toxic cooling gel and will stay at a chilly 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature for most of the night. Just leave it unused for an hour to reset the cooling properties.
This mat is available in medium, large and extra-large sizes, so it'll fit even the most giant dogs.
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 53 x 75 x 11cm (medium), 60 x 90 x 12cm (large), or 75 x 100 x 12.5cm (extra large), Best suited to: larger dogs and cats
Cool Club Raised Air Dog Bed with UV Canopy
If your pet loves laying outdoors in the summer, this luxurious cooling canopy bed is precisely what they need. Humans know to wear sunscreen and stay in the shade in extreme heat, but we can't always control how much UV exposure our pets get (especially cats with cat flaps who come and go as they please).
Pets can still be sunburnt and get heatstroke (which can be fatal), so it is important to protect them from the sun. While a regular cool mat will keep their body temperatures down, this one also has a detachable canopy that provides up to UV 50 protection.
That way, your dog or cat can enjoy the sounds of the birds and the cool breeze blowing through their fur, but they'll be doing so in a safe, shady spot.
How to use: Pressure activated, Dimensions: 105 x 76 x 90cm, Best suited to: Cats
Are pet cooling mats safe?
Pet cooling mats are typically filled with a non-toxic gel that's pressure-activated, so they're completely safe for pets to use.
That being said, you'll still want to supervise your pet to make sure they don't chew their mat; if they ingest anything, it could lead to tummy troubles.
There are also non-gel cooling mats made from breathable ice silk available for dogs and cats. These are more like thin blankets for your pet to lie on in the heat and there's nothing to spill out if they do burst – so if you own a 'chewer', this may be a good option for you.
What is a pet cooling mat?
A pet cooling mat is exactly what it sounds like, it's a mat or blanket that is designed to keep your pet cool when the weather is warm.
During the summer months, it can be particularly hard for our furry friends to cool off, and it is easy for them to overheat, which can be very dangerous for their health.
Cooling mats are a way to lower their body temperature, which is especially useful if your pet is a bit of a sun worshipper!
How do pet cooling mats work?
With gel mats, the gel inside is activated by pressure – so when your pup (or cat) sits on the mat it cools them down.
Once warmed, this gel then recharges and cools down again when the pressure (aka your pet) moves off it.
If you have a water-filled pet cooling mat, it's similar to a water bed in the way that the cool water absorbs heat from your pet's body.
Are pet cooling mats any good?
Pet cooling mats can be incredibly useful, as keeping our beloved furbabies cool can be a huge worry in summer, especially for those of us whose houses get particularly warm.
Using a pet cooling mat will reduce stress for owners of particular breeds, larger dogs, dogs with thicker coats and dogs with shorter snouts – all of whom can struggle in the heat.
How much do cooling mats cost?
The price of a pet cooling mat varies depending on the technology behind it and the size. Typically, they'll cost between £10 and £50.
On average, the cheapest option in our roundup is the Snuggle Safe Coolpad from Amazon (£10), and the most expensive is the All For Paws Chill Out Fresh Breeze Cooling Dog Mat from Pets at Home (almost £50). You'll find that the mats get more expensive the bigger and the more bed-like they are. For example, the large version of the Scruffs Dog Cool Bed costs £70.
Where to buy cat and dog cooling mats in the UK
You can buy cooling mats for pets both on the high street and online, at pet stores, homeware retailers and supermarkets. Good places to visit online include:
- Amazon
- Dunelm
- Pets at Home
- The Range
- Waitrose
- Wilko
Do you put dog cooling mats in the fridge?
Some dog cooling mats are designed to be chilled in the fridge before use, and it's the refrigeration that activates their cooling power. However, others do not need to be and should not be put in the fridge — especially if they have electric components. Check the instructions before using your cooling mat.
Can humans use pet cooling mats?
Humans can use pet cooling mats, as long as they don't have a weight limit. For example, if it's a canopy bed that can only take the weight of a pet, humans cannot lie on that. But, if it's a simple, flat gel cooling mat, humans can easily use these.
It's worth noting, though, that cooling mats for people do exist. Amazon, homeware retailers and some supermarkets sell cooling gel mattress and pillow pads that work in the same way and they'll probably be more effective because they're the appropriate size for humans.