The Best Cooling Mat For Dogs
As temperatures start to go up around the country, you may be thinking ahead to the toasty summer months. However, summer comes with its own issues for pet owners. Like humans, dogs can overheat when the temperature spikes, and all that fur and lack of opposable thumbs can make it harder to cool down.
Some people may recommend a cooling mat to help keep your pup chilled, but you may have questions about how they work? Do they work? And, what should you be looking for in a cooling mat to begin with? Let's take a look.
Key Takeaways
Dogs can overheat quickly in warm weather, and cooling mats can help by dispersing body heat using methods like gel, water, or breathable materials. The best cooling mat is one that suits your specific needs.
Table of Contents
How a Cooling Mat Works
There are a number of cooling mats on the market, with multiple means of cooling your dog down in hot weather. A number of these mats use gel or foam to help cool your dog, or may be water-based. Other mats may use more breathable materials to avoid trapping heat unlike standard dog beds and blankets.
Almost all of them use methods based on the principle that your dog’s body heat needs to be dispersed away from them, preventing heat buildup and helping your dog feel cooler for longer.
These all have their own pros and cons that we will look at, but you will have to examine what your own personal needs are. For example, many gel mats need to be refrigerated beforehand, unlike newer designs like Sparkpaw’s cooling mats, which activate on contact and don’t require water or refrigeration.
While cooling mats are a big help, you will likely have to incorporate other cooling methods as well to keep a safe body temperature, even under shade or inside the house, such as fans and airconditioning, freely available cold water, or dog cooling vests for outdoor excursions.
How Different Types of Cooling Mats Work
Most brands use different systems in their mats, but all should fall into a specific cooling category or method.
Water Cooled Cooling Mat
Water-cooled mats help cool your dog’s body by using water convection to dissipate heat. These mats tend to be quite effective, but they become less useful in direct sunlight, as the water inside can heat up and become too warm.
They also need to be filled with fresh water from time to time, and can become very heavy depending on their size. Some dogs may also be reluctant to lie on it if the surface moves too much.
Evaporative Cooling Mat
Similar to a water-cooling mat, an evaporative mat uses water to cool. The difference is that an evaporative cooling mat is usually thinner than a water-based one, since it doesn’t contain any fluid. Rather, the mat itself acts as a sponge, absorbing and holding water, and as the water evaporates, it pulls the heat out and away.
They are typically lightweight, easy to travel with, and easy to use. The downside is that the mat has to be re-wet periodically and normally won’t function if dry. It will also make your dog’s fur damp.
Elevated Cooling Mat
An elevated cooling mat is one suspended above the ground. Normally, the mat's base is also made of a light, breathable material.
This cooling mat may not have any special cooling properties, but instead optimises airflow so that breezes can pass below the bed and blow the heat away from your dog.
This cool pet pad can work well for dogs by relieving pressure. However, since the bed is higher than normal, it can make it harder for disabled dogs, dogs with poor health, elderly dogs, or small dogs like Dachshunds to be able to climb up safely onto it. It also doesn’t make for a good crate mat as it can reduce space in a sleeping space.
Pressure Activated Gel Cooling Mat
A gel mat is a mat that is filled with a non-toxic gel, normally carboxymethyl cellulose or polyacrylamide[1], which causes the gel mat to activate under your dog’s body weight, producing a cooling effect. After your dog gets up, the gel mat redistributes the heat through evaporation.
The average gel mat needs some time to ‘reset’, as they only stay cool for 1 - 3 hours, but this normally only takes around 20 - 30 minutes to do.
While the chemicals in a gel mat are non-toxic, they may not be the best fit for dogs that regularly chew up their bedding, as ingesting large amounts of the gel can cause stomach upsets or obstructions. A gel mat can often be heavy, depending on the size, making it less portable. They are also not very effective in direct sunlight or extreme heat, and may sell for a higher price.
Phase Change Material (PCM) Cooling Mat
Similar to the gel mat, these mats use special chemicals to store and redistribute heat to keep your dog cool. PCM mats use bio-based or salt-based materials to absorb heat when solid and slowly melt, providing consistent temperature control.
The nice thing about PCM mats is that they stay dry, helping to prevent discomfort and skin conditions in dogs. They also tend to use non-toxic materials, but they can still cause stomach issues if ingested by destructive dogs.
A PCM mat has many of the same downsides as a gel mat, in that they don’t stay cold forever and need to be ‘reset’ every so often. They aren’t so effective in very hot weather or direct sun. While rare, some PCM mats can also get exceptionally cold quite quickly, which can be a problem for elderly dogs.
Airflow Fabric Cooling Mat
An airflow cooling mat is a soft cloth mat that works similarly to an elevated mat, with a layer of breathable, moisture-wicking material that allows airflow beneath the mat, without the added height of the elevated version.
These mats may not get as cold as some other options, but they can be a good middle ground for an everyday cooling mat that's easy to clean, transport, and add an extra comfort to crates or cars. They also stay dry, so there’s less smell, wet fur, or possibility of mold.
Qualities to Look For in Deciding on the Best Cooling Mat
To find a cooling mat your dog loves, you’re going to have to examine some qualities to get the best fit for what you’re looking for.
Durability
Like any dog bed, a good cooling mat needs to be durable. This is especially true for ones that contain chemicals or other ingestible agents, but all mats need to last a while. Make sure the material is high quality, and always check the reviews.
Non-chemical/hydro mats should always use breathable materials for maximum comfort and temperature regulation. These are materials like cotton, linen, and hemp, or specialized synthetics such as mesh and microfiber.
You may need to pay more for good quality.
Size
A good dog cooling mat should fit your dog well. If the mat is too small, then your dog will not be able to cool down effectively and may not have enough room to lie down comfortably. However, if the mat is too large, it may not deflect heat efficiently.
Always check the measurements and whether the brand caters to large, medium, or small breeds.
Easy to Care For
Making sure your dog's cooling mat is well cared for is essential to making sure it functions correctly.
Most of the waterproof options may be fine to wipe clean with some warm water and an unscented mild soap, but these wet mats can be prone to developing mold. Always make sure you follow the care instructions thoroughly, and allow any water to completely dry before storage.
Some options, such as the material or elevated mats, may be machine washable or have a removable cover. Make sure that you know how to clean and protect your cooling mat before purchasing one.
Ease of Use
Some dog cooling mats require setup beforehand, or need to be placed in an area with good surface temperature or out of direct sunlight. Make sure you understand how to set it up beforehand.
Not every gel mat requires refrigeration, but check whether yours does, so you can be prepared before a heatwave starts. You will also need to see how often your cooling mat needs to be reset, refrozen, or re-wet on a hot day.
Ideally, a good dog cooling mat should be non-slip to prevent any accidents and injuries.
Fit for Purpose
The best dog cooling mat for you may depend on what you need it for.
For example, if you are looking for a general-purpose, lightweight mat to keep your dog comfortable on a hot day, one that you can place inside a crate or a hot car when traveling, or one to keep your dog cool when they sleep at night, then you may want to avoid the liquid or wet options
On the other hand, a water or gel mat may be a good thing to have in a heatwave, or a bring-along for an outing on a hot day, where quick, comfortable cooling is a must. However, make sure you have one that doesn’t require a lot of setup.
If you have an elderly or sickly pet, it may be better to look for extra cushioning and avoid beds that are difficult to climb into and that offer little support. Also, avoid options that may get too cold or wet.
Comfort Control No-Pull Dog Harness Set Snow Cone
Other Advice for Avoiding Heatstroke
A tool is only useful when used correctly; likewise, a good dog cooling mat should be used effectively to combat heatstroke.
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Inspect the mat - especially if it’s been in storage - to make sure there are no tears or leaks that can compromise its usefulness
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Make sure the cool pet pad has been activated correctly and is functioning properly
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As far as possible, avoid placing your cooling mat in direct sunlight or anywhere with a very high surface temperature. The mechanism may not be able to direct the surface heat AND your dog’s body heat together. It may also get damaged.
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Provide cold drinking water. Hydration is an extremely important step in dog cooling, as their natural way of cooling down is through evaporation and panting.
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In extreme heat, try to provide additional cooling mechanisms such as fans or air conditioning to help the mat work to the best of its abilities
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Keep monitoring your dog to make sure the mat is still functioning, and that there are no obvious signs of heatstroke - an emergency that requires a veterinarian - such as-
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Restlessness
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Excessive panting
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Vomiting
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Lethargy
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Fainting and seizures
Conclusion
Dogs can easily overheat in warm weather, making cooling mats a helpful tool to keep them comfortable.
Cooling mats work by dispersing body heat, using different methods such as water, gel, breathable fabrics, or airflow. Water and evaporative mats can be more effective but often require setup, while gel, airflow or pressure-activated options are more convenient for everyday use.
When choosing a mat, factors like durability, size, ease of cleaning, and overall comfort are key to ensuring your dog actually uses it. It’s also important to match the mat to your needs, whether for travel, home use, or extra support for older dogs.
For a simple, low-effort, non-wet option, cooling mats that activate on contact, like Sparkpaw’s Frostcore Cooling Covers and Mats, can make keeping cool a breeze.
FAQs
Do Cooling Mats for Dogs Actually Work?
Yes, a cooling mat’s effectiveness depends on how you use it, but almost all dogs can benefit from using a cooling mat in hot weather.
Is a Cooling Pad Good for Dogs?
Yes, cooling pads are good for all dogs. A cooling mat may be an especially good option for brachycephalic breeds, dogs with black fur, and elderly dogs, as all of these dogs may struggle more in hot weather.
What Are the Disadvantages of Cooling Pads?
This depends on the type, but the biggest disadvantages are
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water consumption (Evaporative mats)
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Need for regular maintenance
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Potential mold or skin discomfort from moisture (Water mats)
What is the Best Thing to Cool Dogs With?
Giving them cold water to drink is the fastest way to cool a dog, but it is safer to prevent them from getting too hot in the first place by using cooling mats or fans.
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