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 shortlist:
• Best cooling mattress for dogs: All For Paws Chill Out Cooling Dog Mat - View offer on Pets At Home
• Best travel friendly cooling mat for dogs: Pecute Dog Cooling Mat - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best aesthetic cooling mat for dogs: Volwco Dog Cooling Mat Pad - View offer on Amazon UK
• Best cooling bed for dogs: Scruffs Cool Bed - View offer 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 cooling 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 cooling mats for dogs below.
Best cooling mats for dogs
Best cooling mattress for dogs
Pets At Homewww.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 plastic noodle mattress that is comfy as well as refreshing for your furry friend to lie on. The zip-fastened cover can easily be removed for cleaning and is machine washable in cold water.
Pros
- Padded
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best travel friendly cooling mat for dogs
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's safe for your hound and it contains a soft 8mm sponge layer to cushion their body as they relax.
Customer review: "Very good pad, the outer fabric is tough and matted which is great as I have another pad but it’s smooth making it difficult for my dog to get up due to slipping. This one is great he doesn’t slip and it’s really cool to the touch. My dog seems to love it and there is a lot of gel in it. I’ve leaned in it a couple times and was amazed at just how much there is. Is feels weird but is good as it’s comfortable for my dogs arthritic hips. Highly recommend and will be buying another."
Pros
- Waterproof, scratch-resistant and wear-resistant
- Easy to clean and store
Cons
- Mats are hard-wearing but not indestructible so pets may still be able to cause damage by biting and clawing
Best aesthetic cooling mat for dogs
AmazonThe Volwco Dog Cooling Mat Pad could easily be mistaken as just an ordinary blanket, thanks to its aesthetic embroidery giving it a more subtle design. It won't look out of place in their dog bed or draped across your sofa. Made from a 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.
Customer review: "this was very pleasant surprise! It is lightweight fabric, but it is cool just like gel pads. Husband and dog fights over it in hot weather :)"
Pros
- Can be used inside beds and crates
- Soft, lightweight material
Cons
- Only available in one size
Best cooling bed for dogs
AmazonMade 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.
Customer review: "We have one in the car and one in the house, Lilly is only a tiny dog Cavalier but loves to lay full length this is the perfect bed. Also, the gel pad is great for the summer, you can take it out which is also great. Love it and I know Lilly does."
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
Best strong cooling mat for dogs
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.
Customer review: "I did my research before buying and was won over by knowing ‘scruffs’ makes quality reliable products that I’ve had no problems with in the past. The cool mat itself has been a saviour - my dog loves it and we take it everywhere, used throughout the house, on her bed, in the car, in the garden - she goes from panting where she’s clearly warm/too hot to laying on this cool mat and being relaxed and cool enough to stop panting and many a time has fallen asleep on it… excellent product, keep up the good work ‘Scruffs’."
Pros
- Choice of sizes
- No freezing or fridge required
Cons
- Some reviewers would prefer if it didn't take an hour to cool down again
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 bold and vibrant floral 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 sit on it, so it's ideal for using when you and your dog want to spend some quality time together in the garden.
Pros
- No additional water or chilling required
- Fun summery print
Cons
- Recommended for dogs up to 10kg so may not be suitable if your dog is above this weight
Best cooling mat for dogs for daily use
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.
Customer review: "Exactly what was needed by my two girls very hot dogs and the comfort to be able to have some cool in the heat of the last few weeks, would most definitely recommend"
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
Best cooling mats for dogs FAQs
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 Pets, Homes and Garden 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.