Everything You Need to Know About Dog Cooling Mats

If you’ve never heard of one before, a dog cooling mat is a product which has been specially designed to lower your dog’s temperature to keep them cool and prevent overheating during the warmer months. They can be especially useful if you have no air conditioning, or if your pooch is particularly susceptible to the heat.

Many parents opt to use a dog cooling pad to reduce the risk of their pet overheating, which can eventually lead to conditions like heat stroke or dehydration.

A cooling mat for dogs is usually made from a special gel-like formula, which are pressure-activated and work to release thermal energy through absorption. To put it simply, they absorb the thermal energy from your pooch, which cools the mat down to a much lower temperature – around 10° lower than the external environment.

A cooling mat for cats and for dogs, such as the Crufts Pet Cooling Mat, can be used for around 3-4 hours. However, once your dog has cooled sufficiently, the mat will need to ‘recharge’, which takes around 15 minutes.

There are three common types of cooling pads for dogs, each with their own benefits and drawbacks:

1.      Fabric cooling mats – Senior canine companions benefit from fabric based cooling mats, typically ones described as having orthopedic properties. They are usually made from memory foam which makes it easier for older dogs to climb in and out of their bed. It’s worth noting that these cooling mats don’t get as cold as ice or gel based mats.

2.      Ice cooling mats – If it’s seriously hot, ice mats are the best option for your pooch. They get as cold as ice (as the name suggests) so are the ultimate choice for really cooling down your pup. However, ice mats are not travel friendly – they require to be frozen and then naturally start to defrost and perspire once out of the freezer which isn’t very car friendly.

3.      Gel cooling mats – Often the most popular choice of the 3, gel based cooling mats offer a pretty serious cooling effect and are non-toxic. They’re usually easy to travel with and are typically activated by the pressure and weight of your dog. However, if your canine is a serious chewer, these mats may be non-toxic but could still give your dog a tummy ache if eaten (and these cooling mats will make an absolute mess too if ripped apart).

Aside from keeping your pooch cool in the warmer weather, the benefits of cooling mats for dogs can also be beneficial for those with certain health issues, such as:

If you’ve got an older pooch, a cooling mat can be a great option, as the cold may be able to reduce swelling and inflammation around their joints and decrease any pain associated.

Similarly, using a cooling mat for 48 hours after surgery is thought to help to reduce any inflammation around the operated area, speeding up recovery and minimising pain to keep your pup as comfortable as possible.

There are plenty of dog cooling mats on the market, so when you’re deciding which are the best cooling mats for dogs, but specifically which one is best for your pet, there are a few main factors you’re going to want to keep in mind to ensure your pooch can make the most out of their cool new mat. Some can come in the form of a cooling dog bed, if nighttime is usually warm where you live! From size to comfort, these are some of the most vital things to consider.

Having the right sized mat is quite possibly the most important factor when buying a pet cooling pad.

If the mat is too small, your dog isn’t going to reap the full benefit, simply because they can’t lie on it properly – it needs to be able to keep their whole body cool! Equally, you need to make sure the mat isn’t too big if you’ve got a smaller pooch, as it may not be efficient – especially if it’s pressure-activated.

Another factor to consider when it comes to the size is where you’ll be putting it. If you plan to put it inside your dog’s crate, then you should start by taking the dimensions of that to ensure your cooling mat will fit.

Practicality is a huge consideration when it comes to finding the right cooling mat for your pooch. You need to decide how you’ll want to use it, for example, do you need to be able to move it around easily, or will it stay in one place? If you’ve got a dog who loves getting muddy, then you need a material that can be cleaned easily.

All of these factors are key considerations to make sure you can get as much use out of your mat as possible.

Now comes your dog’s opinion!

Perhaps the most important factor to consider is the comfort level the mat can offer, because even with all of the above features taken into account, your dog may simply not find some mats comfortable to lie on! Try to aim for a mat that’s either soft to the touch or has plenty of padding for that extra comfort factor. The Rosewood Chillax Core Mat is a perfect option, with its soft cushion like material and extra padding.

Are you searching for the best dog cooling mat for your canine companion? At Jollyes, we have a wide selection to choose from, in a range of sizes from a variety of loved and trusted brands.

The Rufus & Rosie Multi Purpose Cooling Mat offers relief to your pooch and lowers their body temperature whenever they’re getting a bit hot under the collar! Featuring adorable patterns, this dog mat is gel based and can be refrigerated for an extra cooling effect

This canine cooling mat is activated through the weight and pressure of your pooch! Not only does it become a perfect naptime spot, but it also helps maintain their body temperature and prevent overheating and issues like heat stroke. This cooling pad will help your pup drift off into a peaceful snooze as it creates the perfect space and temperature for your pet to relax. This cooling dog mat is non-electric and it’s easy to use, lightweight design makes it ideal for travel!

Looking for something a little luxe? Bring that five star resort feeling to your back garden this summer with the Rufus & Rosie Cooling Lounger. Perfect for letting your furry friend sprawl out next to you, this lounger acts as a sophisticated resting spot for your pooch whilst cooling them down in the sunshine thanks to its cooling properties.

Combining a canine favourite with a cooling mat is the Rufus & Rosie Sprinkler Dog Cooling Mat! Offering buckets of fun thanks to the sprinkler feature, simply connect your garden hose to the nozzle and watch the rim of the mat fill with water to create the gentle sprinkler. From chilling on the mat in the mist to leaping through the sprinkler, this mat ticks every box for your furry friend this summer.

When you’re trying to keep your dog cool in the summer, you don’t have to rely on cooling mats alone! There are plenty of other such as cooling toys and treats, including Frozzy’s frozen yogurt for dogs, as it’s not safe for dogs to eat ice cream. To help keep their temperature down, cooling vests and collars are also great option. 

A dog cooling vest is usually soaked in cold water and put into the fridge or freezer for a little while, before being wrapped around your dog using Velcro straps. This helps to keep your dog cool wherever they go, rather than requiring them to always lie down on their mat – this is a bonus if your dog is particularly boisterous and loves to run around!

Cooling toys such as water sprinklers and freezable toys such as the Rosewood Chilla Soak Shark or All For Paws Chill Out Ice Ball are perfect for your pooch to play with during those summer heatwaves. Simply fill with water and freeze overnight to make play time that little bit cooler!

Whether you invest in a cooling mat for your pup or go all-out with a cooling blanket for dogs, cooling toys and vests – your dog is sure to thank you when the hot weather arrives! To keep your pooch happy all year round, make sure you explore all of our dog accessories so you’ve got everything you need to keep their tails wagging with glee.

Cooling vests are usually soaked in cold water and put into the fridge or freezer for a little while, before being wrapped around your dog using Velcro straps. This helps to keep your dog cool wherever they go, rather than requiring them to lie down on their mat at all times – this is a bonus if your dog is particularly boisterous and loves to run around!

Cooling toys such as water sprinklers and freezable toys such as the Rosewood Chilla Soak Shark are perfect for your pooch to play with during those summer heatwaves. Simply fill with water and freeze overnight to make play time that little bit cooler!

Whether you invest in a cooling mat for your pup, or go all-out with cooling toys and vests – your dog is sure to thank you when the hot weather arrives! To keep your pooch happy all year round, make sure you explore all of our dog accessories so you’ve got everything you need to keep their tails wagging with glee.

Offer relief to your pet in the scorching heat by opting for the Smart Choice Pet Water Sprinkler, which is fun, easy to install, and a great activity for your furry friends. The water sprinkler is made of premium quality PVS material, which is pet-friendly and completely safe. The Smart Choice water sprinkler is among essential pool accessories for your pets that offer great fun and kill their boredom.

This dog pool connects easily to the garden hose to fill the water and can be functional within minutes. Engage your pets in physical activities like jumping and rolling in the water in this fresh water fountain and lift their mood. Measuring 100 cm x 100 cm, this sprinkler is a great way to take out your pet’s pent-up energies and lower their body temperature. You can also arrange a pet pool party and let them have fun for hours. This outdoor fountain is lightweight, easy to set up and carry if you are travelling with your pet.

For more doggy cooling essentials, shop our dog and puppy range online and in-store.