Best Cooling Mats and Pads for Dogs: The Top 5 for 2024
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 28, 2023
- This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best cooling mat for your dog is, then we recommend the Sealy Lux Quad Dog Bed as the best one.
If you live in a part of the world that is perpetually warm, then your dog would appreciate having the best dog cooling mat. Even if you do not live somewhere warm, dogs like to rest on the best dog cooling mat after rambunctious playtime, too. Older dogs also appreciate having a cool place to relax after a long walk.
The Best Dog Cooling Mats
These mats help keep your dog fresh on hot days or after rough-and-tumble play. They have features that dog owners appreciate.
The Sealy Dog Bed has revolutionized the dog bed industry. With Quad Layer Technology, the Sealy Dog Bed is unmatched in terms of craftsmanship, design and durability.
Sealy is best known for mattresses for humans, but the respected company manufactures orthopedic cooling gel beds for dogs, too. This cooling bed has Quad Layered Foam to support dogs of all ages. It also has a cooling gel that moves heat away from your dog. The mattress has a machine washable cover and hidden zipper so you can take it on and off easily.
The bed also has a Pro-Charcoal base to keep it smelling fresh. It has a waterproof liner for those occasional accidents, and it has a non-slip bottom for safety purposes. The bed comes in several sizes so all dogs can be cool and relaxed.
- Pros
- Good bed for dogs with physical health issues
- Cooling gel helps dogs relax
- Machine-washable outer cover
- Hidden zipper
- Memory foam conforms to dog’s body
- Cons
- Bolster does not have a cover
- Occasional quality-control issues
- Foam is stiffer than other brands
- Only comes with one cover
- Memory foam conforms to dog’s body
Revolutionary Self-Cooling Cushion.
The cooling pad is weight or pressure activated. As soon as your pet lies down, the cooling effect starts and lasts for up to four hours (depending upon conditions)!
The GreenPetShop Cooling Mat turns on when your dog steps on it. The pressure-activated mat does not require any electricity or refrigeration. After your dog gets off of the pad, the gel-cooling formula on the inside only needs about 20 minutes to reset for the next round. The pad cools immediately so your dog can get rapid relief on hot days.
The mat is portable and easy to clean with a damp cloth. You should not use it in direct sunlight, but you can put it outside in the shade, or inside in your dog’s favorite relaxing spot. It is easy to pack for travel, too. The GreenPetShop Cooling mat comes in several sizes for dogs up to 90 pounds.
- Pros
- Pressure activated
- Easy to clean
- Portable
- Recharges quickly
- No electricity required
- Cons
- Not machine washable
- Some dogs chew on the pad and gel gets out
- Does not store well
- Needs regular use or it shrinks and hardens
- No electricity required
The Original Elevated Pet Bed.
Keep your pet healthy, safe, comfortable and cool with a deluxe Coolaroo Pet Bed. Perfect for dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds and weights, Coolaroo elevated Pet Beds help keep your animal cool by increasing air flow to its fur coat and comfortable by reducing pressure on its knees, hips, elbows and shoulders.
This elevated pet bed uses airflow to keep your dog cool. The bed has recyclable and breathable polyethylene that is easy to clean and resistant to mold and mildew. Air flows all around the cot as your dog is about seven inches off of the ground. The powder-coated steel frame is strong and durable.
You can put the cooling mat inside or outside to meet your dog’s needs. It is suitable for dogs with arthritis as it takes the pressure off of their joints. You can quickly clean it with a hose and soapy water. These are available in several sizes for dogs of all sizes.
- Pros
- Easy to clean
- Durable frame and fabric
- Can be used inside and outside
- Cons
- Seven inches off of the ground can be tall for some dogs
- Some dogs chew through the fabric
- Screws in the frame come loose
Most comfortable cooling bed to date!
No electricity is required to operate the orthopedic Coolin’ Comfort Bed. Attractively designed to provide a cool spot for dogs. Simply add water just once through the easy fill cap and adjust comfort with the easy air valve.
The K&H Coolin’ Comfort Bed uses water to keep your dog cool. Open the cap, fill the bed with water, and let your pet get calm and comfortable. The bed is free of all toxins, like cooling gels. It has a nylon/vinyl exterior that cools quickly when you put water in the bed. It also has an air valve that lets you adjust the bed’s cushioning quality.
You can put this bed inside or outside, in a cool and dry spot. It has a foam core on the inside for added cushioning. It works to cool pets, but it also helps them find relief from arthritis and other physical issues. It comes with a two-year warranty. You can add essential oils, like grapefruit seed extract, to prevent bacterial growth on the inside.
- Pros
- No electricity or cooling gels needed
- Uses water to cool and comfort your pet
- Easy-to-clean vinyl/nylon exterior
- Portable
- Cons
- Must be filled and refilled with water
- Inside can develop bacteria
- Difficult to empty and store
- Portable
Triple Layer Cooling Design.
The Hydro Cooling Mat employs a “Triple Layer Cooling Design” that includes a waterbed cushion, a FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet (equal to nearly 8 trays of ice) and a 1/2” thick insulating foam insert. Together they make a very effective, long-lasting cooling solution for your dog that has 10x the cooling power of gel pads.
The CoolerDog Cooling Pad uses an ice sheet to keep your dog from overheating. When you put the FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet inside, the mat uses the ice, a waterbed cushion, and a layer of insulation to cool your dog quickly. Because you cover the ice sheet with two protective, padded layers, your dog’s skin is safe.
The ice sheet only uses water, so this product does not have any potentially harmful chemicals or gel. The rip-stop fabric has snaps on three sides so that you can connect several mats for larger dogs. You can wash the mat cover in the washing machine. Each set comes with the mat cover, ice sheet, waterbed cushion, and insulation insert.
- Pros
- Can customize the size by attaching several together
- Easy to clean
- No toxic chemicals
- Cons
- Must constantly refreeze the ice sheet
- Ice compartments break
- The mat sweats, so owner need to wipe them
Keeps your pet comfortable.
The Coleman Pet Cooling Mat keeps your pet comfortable. Its non-toxic gel stays 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature, yet needs no refrigeration. Easily wipes clean. Take it anywhere! It can be used by itself, in a pet bed, in the car, or in a pet carrier.
The CoolerDog Cooling Pad uses an ice sheet to keep your dog from overheating. When you put the FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet inside, the mat uses the ice, a waterbed cushion, and a layer of insulation to cool your dog quickly. Because you cover the ice sheet with two protective, padded layers, your dog’s skin is safe.
The ice sheet only uses water, so this product does not have any potentially harmful chemicals or gel. The rip-stop fabric has snaps on three sides so that you can connect several mats for larger dogs. You can wash the mat cover in the washing machine. Each set comes with the mat cover, ice sheet, waterbed cushion, and insulation insert.
- Pros
- Can customize the size by attaching several together
- Easy to clean
- No toxic chemicals
- Cons
- Must constantly refreeze the ice sheet
- Ice compartments break
- The mat sweats, so owner need to wipe them
Everything we recommend
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Table of Contents
How To Tell If Your Dog is Overheated?
Dogs can quickly overheat on hot days. The easiest way to tell if your dog is overheated is to pay attention to its panting. If your dog is panting loudly and rapidly, then it might be overheated. Dogs that are overheated can become disoriented and develop diarrhea from being dehydrated. Their gums might become discolored, too.
If your dog displays any signs of being overheated or dehydrated, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
How Do the Best Cooling Pads Work?
Cooling mats are pads that dogs sit on to help them avoid overheating. These mats have an element that keeps them from overheating. Often, the cooling feature is an insert or a pressure-activated gel that lasts a few hours.
Most cooling mats are safe for dogs, but you should always inspect the exterior to be sure your dog cannot get into the gel insert. Most beds will not get so cold that they hurt a dog’s skin. Veterinarians can recommend special cooling pads for dogs with health issues.
How to Choose the Best Dog Cooling Mat
Since dogs cannot control their environment as people can, a cooling mat can make a big difference in your pet’s life. Dogs will often rest on cold tiles in an air-conditioned room, but floor tiles don’t always do the job the same way a cooling mat does. When you choose the best dog cooling mat, you should consider their different features and options.
Size
One essential feature to consider is the size of the mat. Cooling mats come in a variety of sizes, so big dogs and little dogs have all the space they need. Before you buy a cooling mat, be sure it can support your dog’s weight.
Power and Time
Cooling mats come with different power sources. Some are perpetually cool, while others turn on when your dog sits on it. If you do not want to worry about turning the mat on or off, you should invest in one that turns on automatically. Your dog will quickly figure out how to power up the cooling mat if you buy one that has pressure activation.
Some mats come with timers, too. If you do not want your dog to sit on the cooling mat all day, then you should get one with a timer. You can set it to meet your dog’s needs. However, if you don’t mind the cooling mat being on, you can let your dog decide when it is time to get off of the cushion.
Refrigeration Requirement
Some of the best dog cooling mats have inserts that need to be refrigerated. If you do not want to keep putting cold packs in your refrigerator or freezer, then you should look for a mat that cools in other ways.
Cooling Elements
Each cooling mat needs to have an element that cools to help your dog. Some have cooling gel inside, while others are made of fresh fabrics like silk. Others need to have cold water put inside of them.
When shopping for a cooling mat, choose one that you can easily maintain. If you choose a cushion with the cooling gel inside, you have to be sure the gel stays in the mat. Some pet owners do not want to refill their dog’s mat continually. Special fabrics can be tough to keep clean.
Elevated
For some cooling mats, circulating air helps keep them comfortable in hot weather. To get air to circulate around the cushion, it sits on a base above the floor. Elevated cooling mats are similar to hammocks. These are usually for smaller dogs.
Maintenance and Washability
If your dog likes to play outside, then sit on its mat, then you probably want one that is easy to clean. Not every mat is easy to keep clean, especially if it has a special fabric or if it has a material on the inside. For many dog owners, the best cooling mat is the one they can throw in the washing machine.
Double Duty
Some cooling mats serve as heating pads, too. Some dogs, especially older ones, benefit from having heating pads to soothe arthritis or to warm them on cold days.
Still Trying To Decide On A Cooling Mat For Your Best Friend?
When shopping for the best dog cooling mat, you should always consider your dog’s behaviors and physical needs. For dogs that need extra support for their physical issues like arthritis, the Sealy Lux Quad Dog Bed is the best choice. This bed uses several layers of foam as well as a cooling gel to keep your dog relaxed and refreshed.
However, some dogs need more cooling and less foam. If this is the case, your dog will love TheGreenPetShop cooling mat. Your dog simply steps on the mat to activate the gel. Then, your dog can rest on the cooling pad for as long as it wants. Once your dog gets up, the gel refreshes in about 20 minutes so that it is ready for the next round.
Both require little work from pet owners. The other mats on this list require owners to fill them with water or ice sheets. The Sealy and TheGreenPetShop mats allow dogs to cool themselves down without relying on their owners. Dog owners are often busy and might not be able to attend to their overheated dogs immediately.
With the Sealy and TheGreenPetShop mats, dogs can take care of themselves. Owners only need to keep the cushion cleaned and put them in a convenient place. These cooling mats do not require any electricity. They are safe for dogs to use, and both come in several sizes so all breeds can be cool and relaxed in the heat.
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.