Dog cooling mats are one of our essential dog cooling products for when temperatures soar. The best cooling mats for dogs are filled with a non-toxic gel that is activated by your pooch when they fancy lying down and basking in the sunshine, with no need to put them in the fridge or freezer. They absorb the heat produced by your pooch and help to bring their core temperature down.
As much as our pooches love a bit of sun-soaking, they can quickly overheat in warmer weather. Larger doggos, overweight hounds, pooches with thick coats and breeds with flat faces, like bulldogs and pugs, in particular, will suffer on hot days. That's why it's vital to have somewhere that's cool for your dog to relax when it all gets too much.
Best cooling mats for dogs at a glance:
• Best cooling mat for dogs: Pecute Dog Cooling Mat – View on Amazon UK
• Best cooling bed for dogs: Scruffs Cool Bed – View on Amazon UK
• Best self-activated cooling mat for dogs: Scruffs Self-Cooling Mat – View on Amazon UK
Pet cooling mats come in all shapes and sizes to best suit the needs of your pooch. You can have one to put a protective and cooling layer between your hound and the ground, or they can be used for a host of other reasons. They can be inserted into cages, crates and kennels, pop onto your sofa for chilled snuggles or laid on the back seat of the car while travelling.
Some of the best cool mats for dogs are designed to be like an actual dog bed but with cooling elements to keep your pooch's temperature down while they're having a snooze. They can have gel inserts like individual cooling mats or they can have cooling layers sandwiched into the cushion section. They're also made of breathable material to allow the heat from your dog's body to escape. Whether you're looking for a mat to use at home and out and about with your pooch, or a bed to cool down your hound while they're getting some much-needed shut-eye, we've rounded up all the best dog cooling mats below.
Best cooling mats for dogs
Best cooling mat for dogs
Pecute/AmazonMade from a high-quality and tough outer material that is easily rolled up, the Pecute Dog Cooling Mat is ideal for use at home but is also a great option for when you're travelling with your pet. It's filled with a non-toxic gel so it doesn't require refrigeration or dunking in water to activate the cooling technology and it contains a soft 8mm sponge layer to cushion their body as they relax.
With over 16,000 reviews on Amazon, It's a popular choice with other pet owners stating that it works well to keep their pups cool as it's cool to the touch. Opinions are mixed on the durability as some reviewers found their pooch was able to cause damage with their nails and teeth but others felt it was made from a very durable material and that it is well made.
Pros
- Easy to roll out so just as good for travel as for using it at home
- Contains a 8mm layer of sponge inside to keep your pooch comfy while lying on it
Cons
- Mats are hard-wearing but not indestructible so pets may still be able to cause damage by biting and clawing
| Sizes available: | XS (40x30cm), S (50x40cm), M (65x50cm), L (90x50cm), XL (120x75cm), XXL (140x90cm) |
Tested
Made for chilling out in every sense of the phrase, the Scruffs Cool Bed is just what your hound needs when they're trying to snooze in the heat. It has a foam base for enhanced comfort and support with a breathable mesh on top for improved airflow around your pooch as they sleep. Lying on this bed is typically five-10 degrees cooler than room temperature.
We appreciate the slightly padded sides, which provide a comfortable spot for your dog to rest their head, as demonstrated by Gina for Take a Break Pets below. The cooling mat is designed to stay cool for an hour at a time. While this might not seem very long, it only needs a brief break to allow the cooling technology to reactivate.
Pros
- Comfortable and cooling
- Made with breathable mesh for improved airflow
Cons
- Needs to be left unused for one hour to reset the cooling properties
| Sizes available: | Medium (75x53x11cm), Large (90x60x12cm), XL (100x75x12.5cm) |
Best self-activated cooling mat for dogs
Scruffs/AmazonLooking for a tough self-cooling mat for your dog? We'd recommend this Scruffs Self-Cooling Mat. It's made using a durable material and can be used by simply placing it on the floor, placing it in their pet bed or in a crate or cage to keep them cool while travelling. Just like the other option from Scruffs above, the non-toxic gel inside helps to make the mat between five and 10 degrees cooler than room temperature.
Some cool mats for dogs require popping in the fridge or freezer or dunking in water to activate - not the Scruffs Self Cooling Mat! It activates by your pup lying on it. Customers appreciate the levels of coolness and comfort this mat provides their pooch, saying it offers great value for money, but some wish it didn't take an hour to reset the cooling technology after it's warmed up.
Pros
- Choice of sizes
- No freezing or fridge is required, it's activated by your pup lying on it
Cons
- Some reviewers would prefer if it didn't take an hour to cool down again
| Sizes available: | Small (40x50cm), Medium (76.2x62.2cm), Large (91x69cm), XL (119.4x74.9cm) |
Tested
Best dog cooling mat for different breed sizes
www.onlinehomeshop.com
There will be no hot dogs around when using the Aqua Coolkeeper Pet Cooling Mat during the summer, just cool canines. Inside each square of this mat is Hydroquartz gel that is designed to absorb your dog’s body heat to provide cooling relief through evaporation. It also has a super stylish red paisley print thorough, which we LOVE.
Senior Home & Pets Writer Rosie Floyd tested this mat with her three dogs, Gina, Barney & Bella. All three dogs took turns to seek out cooling relief from the sunshine after a run around in the garden and although it’s available in one size, a Yorkshire Terrier cross, Cockapoo and Labrador Retriever cross all were able to make the most of it without being left out. The mat has Velcro in the middle so you could use this as two separate smaller mats for smaller dogs or one big one. We did need to dunk this in water before the dogs could lay on it to activate the cooling gel but it does have good absorption qualities as it didn’t get us or our dogs wet despite it being soaked in water.
Pros
- Provides cooling relief through evaporation as it contains Hydroquartz gel
- Super stylish print
Cons
- Needs to be dunked in water to activate the cooling technology
| Sizes available: | One size (80x90cm) |
Best cooling mattress for dogs
All For Pawswww.petsathome.com
A cooling mattress that is designed to allow air to flow through is just what your pooch needs when they want to take naps in the sunshine. The All For Paws Chill Out Cooling Dog Mat is made with a springy padded mattress that is comfy as well as refreshing for your furry friend to lie on.
If you're using this cooling mat outside or your hound hops on for a snooze after going out for a toilet trip, it may soon get dirty but as the zip-fastened cover can easily be removed and machine-washed in cold water, it'll soon be looking as good as new again. Only available in a size medium, this could be too big or too small depending on the size of your dog so be sure to check out the dimensions to see if it's the right fit for your hound.
Pros
- Padded so it's super comfy for your pooch to sleep on while cooling down
- Easy to clean with a removable cover and can be machine washed in cool water
Cons
- Only available in size medium, so may be too big/too small for some breeds
| Sizes available: | Medium (75x50x6cm) |
Most summery cooling mat for dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
How fun is this Sunny Daze Round Printed Cooling Mat for Dogs from Pets At Home? We love the cute strawberry print. The ideal size for small dogs, all you need to do is unfold in a shady spot and the mat will be ready for your pooch to chill out on.
The gel inside is activated by your pooch simply sitting on it, so it's ideal for use when you and your dog want to spend some quality time together in the garden. There's no removable cover on this one so when you need to give it spruce up, it's wipe clean only.
Pros
- No additional water or chilling is required as it's self-activated
- Fun strawberry print
Cons
- Doesn't have a removable cover so it's wipe clean only
| Sizes available: | One size |
Best cooling mat for dogs for daily use
Rosewood/Viovetwww.viovet.co.uk
Looking for a mat that your dog can use for long periods of time? Check out the Rosewood Chillax Cool Pad. It's designed to be cooler than the surrounding temperature for up to three to four hours of constant use and automatically recharges as your dog moves about as it's activated by weight and pressure.
Some reviews mention this mat was smaller than expected so reviewers suggest this may not be the right mat for large or giant breeds, but there was ample room for small and medium hounds to lie down. They also mention it's simple yet effective and did a good job at helping their pup to keep their cool.
Pros
- Automatically re-charges as your dog moves
- Provides cooling for up to three-four hours of constant use
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned it was smaller than expected
| Sizes available: | Large (60x90cm) |
Best lightweight cooling mat for dogs
Volwco/AmazonThe design of the Volwco Dog Cooling Mat Pad means that it won't look out of place in your pup's dog bed, draped across your sofa or tucked up inside a dog crate. Made from a soft, lightweight fabric, you can easily move it from room-to-room and from inside the house to out in the garden depending on what your pooch feels like.
Unlike some of the other dog cooling mats on our list, it's only available in one size so may be too big or too small for some dog breeds so make sure you check the dimensions before you order. Despite only being available in one size, customers online have found it's the perfect fit for their dog's crate or bed and like that it's made from a lightweight fabric.
Pros
- Can be used inside dog beds and crates
- Made from soft, lightweight material
Cons
- Only available in one size so may be too big/too small for some breeds
| Sizes available: | XL (100x70cm) |
How we chose the best dog cooling mats
All of the best cool mats for dogs have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered cooling relief, durability and portability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog cooling mats to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
Our verdict: What is the best self-cooling dog mat?
In our opinion, one of the best self-cooling dog mats is the Pecute Dog Cooling Mat which is why it's taken our top spot as the best cooling dog mat overall. It doesn’t require you to fill it with water, freeze or chill the mat in any way before your pooch lays on it as it works by absorbing your dog’s body heat to prevent them from getting too hot or dehydrated in warm weather.
We also think the Scruff Self-Cooling Mat is a great choice for pet owners looking for a self-activated mat for their pooch. It's designed to be typically five to 10 degrees cooler than the room temperature but your pooch will need to leave it unused for one hour for the cooling properties to completely reset.
Best cooling mats for dogs FAQs
Are all dog cooling mats the same?
No, not all dog cooling mats are the same, with the main difference being the cooling technology. Some of the best dog cooling mats are filled with cooling gels to provide cooling relief and others are made with breathable materials that allow air to flow around your pooch to prevent them from overheating. Some may be self-cooling that are activated purely by your hound laying on them whereas others may require you to put them in the fridge or freezer or soak in water to help with the cooling. Whatever the differences are, cooling mats for dogs all have the same aim and that’s to keep your dog nice and cool to prevent them from getting too warm.
Do you put dog cooling mats in the freezer?
You don’t necessarily need to put dog cooling mats in the freezer. Ones that are activated by your hound just simply laying on them, such as ones with gel inside, should work without needing to precool but there are others, such as water-based mats, that can benefit from going in the fridge or the freezer on particularly hot days. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that when a dog that is very hot lays on something that is very, very cold, it can cause them to go into shock so we wouldn’t recommend your pooch laying on a mat that has come straight out of the freezer.
Do cooling mats for dogs actually work?
Cooling mats for dogs work in the same way as your pooch lying on a cold surface around the home, such as concrete outside and tiled kitchen floors. The heat from their bodies is transferred into the cool area until they reach the same temperature. That’s why you’ll find your pooch is constantly moving around your home in hot weather in an attempt to find the coolest spot.
The mats are filled with a cooling effect to offer your pooch that same feeling as finding a cold floor to lie on. However, they’re much more comfortable for them and offer joint and limb support, too. The best cooling mats for dogs are designed to activate with weight and pressure applied to them and they’re also made with breathable materials. This is to draw the heat away from your dog’s body to cool them down.
They do work wonders for cooling your bed down over time, but if you’re looking to give your pooch more instant relief, we’d recommend getting them a dog cooling vest or bandana to wear while they’re lying on their mat.
What are the signs of heat exposure and dehydration in dogs?
Pooches rely on the heat being released through their paws and through panting on hot days as they can't sweat as we humans can. However, they struggle to do this in hot environments, which is why overheating can happen so easily. It's important to know the signs of a dog that is struggling with heat exposure and dehydration as it can be very dangerous for dogs, and even fatal in some cases. With the help of Battersea, we've put together some of the signs to spot if your dog is struggling with the heat.
• Excessive panting or salivating/dry mouth and gums
• Bloodshot or sunken eyes
• Lethargy or unsteadiness
• Skin lacking elasticity
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
It's important that you contact a vet immediately if any of these symptoms occur in hot weather.
Ways to keep dogs cool in summer:
Dog food nutrition experts at Years.com have revealed the best natural ways to keep dogs cool and avoid dehydration and heat stroke.
Lay them on cool towels
"Soak a towel in some cool water and ring out any excess before using it as a mat for your dog to lay on or wrap it around their body. Always avoid using freezing cold water as this can cause shock."
Set up a paddling pool
"If it’s not too hot outside, find a shady spot and set up a paddling pool for your dog to splash about in. Not only is this a great way for them to cool down but it’s also a fun activity."
Avoid walks in the sun
"Anything up to 19 degrees is suitable weather to walk your dog, any hotter than that and the pavement will be too hot for your dogs' paws and they could also suffer from dehydration. Avoid taking walks when the sun is at its peak and opt for early morning or evening strolls when the weather is cooler."
Put their favourite chew toy in the freezer
"Pop your dog's favourite chew toy into the freezer and in a few hours they’ll be able to keep themselves occupied whilst regulating their body temperature."
Make them an ice cream
"Like us, our dogs will enjoy a nice cold ice cream to help cool themselves down. There are plenty of dog-friendly ice cream recipes that you can make which involve frozen fruits and peanut butter."
Give them cool water
"Dogs can become dehydrated quickly so keep topping up their water bowl with cool water or pop some ice in there to keep it cold."
Open up the windows
"If there’s a bit of a breeze outside, open up all of your windows and circulate air through your home to keep it cool for your dog."
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home and Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.