Unlike us, dogs are not able to perspire, relying only on their primitive panting behavior to release excess heat trapped inside their bodies. Even thin coated pooches can suffer from excessive heat since the panting mechanism is simply insufficient to cool their body down especially on warmer days. While you can put them in a fully air-conditioned room or aerate their kennels or dog crates with an electric fan, you’ll end up with a heftier energy bill at the end of each month.
A dog cooling mat can help address these issues by cooling off your dog’s body while saving you hundreds of dollars on your annual energy expenditures. Sadly, not all pet chilling units are designed in exactly the same way. You don’t need to worry though as we’ve prepared a listing of the best-rated dog cooling pads in the market. This list is the product of long and thorough research to provide your dog only the best.
The 10 Top Rated Dog Cooling Pads
| Editor's Picks | Product Name | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Arf Pets Self-Cooling Dog Mat | Check Price on Chewy | 4.1 |
| Longest Chilling Effect | The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Dog Pad | Check Price on Chewy | 4.3 |
| Easy to Use | K&H Pet Products Cooling Dog Bed | Check Price on PetSmart | 4.4 |
| Multi Purpose | Nesutoraito Washable Summer Cooling Mat for Dogs | Check Price on Amazon | 3.9 |
| Most Comfortable | Dogbed4less Premium Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mat | Check Price on Amazon | 4.4 |
| Portable | Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Dog Pad | Check Price on Amazon | 4.2 |
| Scratch Resistant | Chillz Cooling Mat For Dogs | Check Price on Amazon | 3.9 |
| Easy to Clean | The Original Elevated Pet Bed by Coolaroo | Check Price on Chewy | 4.6 |
| The Most Unique Design | Furhaven Pet Dog Bed | Check Price on Amazon | 4.4 |
| All Year Round | KROSER Pet Bed Mat | Check Price on Amazon | 4.5 |
| Most Durable | CoolerDog Dog Cooling Pad | Check Price on Amazon | 4.4 |
| Best for Medium Dogs | CoolDog Reusable Ice Mat for Keeping Dogs Cool | Check Price on Amazon | 4.0 |
| Best for Small Dogs | NACOCO Pet Cooling Mat | Check Price on Amazon | 4.2 |
1 Best Overall: Arf Pets Self-Cooling Dog Mat
- 3 hour cooling effect
- Automatic solid gel recooling technology
- Made of latex-free, non-toxic materials
- Durable and flexible waterproof materials
- Cleans easily
Arf Pets’ canine cooling mat is quite expensive yet enjoys the trust of a number of dog owners who happen to vouch for its effectiveness in lowering the body temperature of their respective furry 4-legged friends.
What separates the Arf Pets from similar products is the duration of its cooling effects, reaching up to 3 hours before your pet needs to move out of the pad to allow it to dissipate the collected heat into the surrounding air. Within 15 to 20 minutes, it should be ready to absorb your pooch’s body heat again. There really is no need to plug it in any socket or attach it to any battery power as the gel only needs several minutes to release trapped heat into the immediate environment.
The solid construction of the Arf Pets dog cooling mat is something that we admire. Again, it may look flimsy but if we are to trust the reviews of consumers, it is definitely a tough and durable product. The gel embedded into its design is also made of non-toxic materials so there should be no worries in that department. It’s also waterproof allowing for a simple wipe to get it clean.
2 Longest Chilling Effect: The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Dog Pad
- Pressure activated gel temperature lowering technology
- Durable, sturdy, and waterproof construction
- Machine washable
- Folds easily
- Convenient design
- Automatic recharging
If we have to consider the number of pet cooling pad reviewers as the sole parameter for its effectiveness, then The Green Pet Shop’s Premium Cooling Pet Pad should easily take the number 2 spot.
The Green Pet features the same technology like the rest in this list, instantly activating its cooling effect with the mere presence of your pooch’s body on the durable, mold resistant, and waterproof panel. What is really astounding is that, depending on the core temperature of your doggie including its body size, the temperature reducing effects of the Green Pet can last as long as 4 hours whereas other products can only manage 2 hours at best. We firmly believe this is something that most dog owners will appreciate in the Green Pet Shop pet cooling pad. The longer its chilling effects the better it is in bringing comfort for your pet. At any rate you’ll be ensuring the optimum wellness of your doggie as it will not have to be irritated with the extreme heat trapped inside its body.
The Green Pet is machine washable; however, we understand that it’s best cleaned using a clean piece of cloth that’s soaked in a solution of mild soap and water.
3 Easy To Use: K&H Pet Products Cooling Dog Bed
- Cool Core water-activated cooling mat design
- Water-refillable design with easy-fill cap and secure valve
- Up to 22-degrees Fahrenheit cooler than dog body temperature
- Heavy-duty vinyl and nylon shell
- Easy to clean
- Available in 2 colors and 3 sizes
Cooling your dog should never be a problem with the Cool Bed III from K&H. Unlike other pet cooling beds that require you to put the contraption into your fridge or some other cooling mechanism, the Cool Bed III relies on the cooling efficiency of water to bring your dog’s body temperature down to as low as 22 degrees.
Filling the Cool Bed III with water is very easy since it already comes with an easy-twist, easy-fill cap that is also guaranteed to be leak proof. Once the bed has been filled with water and adjusted to the preferred level of ‘softness’, you can easily place it on any surface and your dog will already be treated to one of the most effective ways to cool down on a hot summer day. There’s no need to refill the Cool Bed III for up to a year, especially if you choose to add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract in the water to help keep bacteria and other germs at bay.
With its tough vinyl, nylon exterior, the Cool Bed III offers so much more than a simple cool place for your pet to lie down. It’s a great choice for keeping your hound comfy and well-rested regardless of how hot it can be outside.
4 Multi Purpose: Nesutoraito Washable Summer Cooling Mat For Dogs
- Double-sided thin fabric cooling pad
- Topside cools while underside prevents heat build-up
- Non-stick to repel pet hair; machine washable
- Foldable and durable so great for traveling
- Available in four sizes
This versatile cooling mat from Nesutoraito is thin enough to fit in most spaces without adding bulk but is also double-sided for both cooling and comfort. The top surface is made from a lovely soft fabric that is naturally cool to the touch but can also be popped into the freezer for 10 minutes to increase the chill when the heat is on. Meanwhile, the reverse side is made from a breathable mesh fabric which can help prevent heat build-up while your pooch sleeps. Available in four sizes and a nice choice of colors, this cooling mat is great for home use as well as traveling although it can slip a bit on wooden floors. Maintenance is good too, as the fabric repels pet hairs and the whole mat can be popped into the washer for a good clean.
5 Most Comfortable: Dogbed4less Premium Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mat
- Gel-infused cooling memory foam
- 4-lb foam density rating
- Ultra Fresh antimicrobial treatment
- 300g premium quality velour fleece fabric cover
- Anti-slip, waterproof, eco-friendly SBR rubber backing
- Easy to clean and wash
- Resistant against stains, wrinkles, and dirt
It may not be an actual bed, but the Dogbed4less Pet Mat is something that you’d definitely want to consider if you want your dog to have one of the best cooling surfaces it will ever rest its tired body on.
Featuring a unique design that integrates cooling gel right into its 4-lb rated memory foam that easily conforms and hugs the undulating shape of your dog’s body, this doggie cooling mat is perfect for those who simply cannot sleep because it’s too hot. The use of memory foam makes it great for canines with joint problems or those that are recuperating from an illness or surgery or even elderly hounds that may already have reduced mobility. It also comes with the Ultra Fresh treatment that effectively renders the pet mat’s surfaces free from harmful microorganisms especially mold and mildew. Underneath is an eco-friendly backing made of waterproof and anti-skid SBR rubber, keeping the Dogbed4less pet mat in its place.
It may not have a fancy or stylish design, but the Dogbed4less pet mat is effective not only in keeping your dog cool and comfy but also in supporting its tired body. It’s a luxury pet mat that is versatile enough to be used on almost any other surface.
6 Portable: Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Dog Pad
- No-freeze cooling gel technology
- Stays 5-10 degrees below room temperature
- Stay-cool gel is non toxic and pet-safe
- Durable and pet-safe material
- Wipe down cleaning and folds for transport
With no need for refrigeration or air conditioning cooling, the Coleman Pet Pad is a good addition to your pet care kit. With its stay cool gel, the pad just needs the pressure of your dog’s weight to click into action, meaning it can stay 5-10 degrees cooler than the temperature around them. Not only is this a good cooling pad for those hot summer days, but it can also be used as a physio pad if your pooch suffers from joint pain and needs a little cooling relief. The simple but effective way this pad works, coupled by the pet-friendly fabric that can be easily wiped down, means this is a great pad for traveling in the car, crate and also when camping or vacationing away from home. This pad is not the coldest in this review, it will take its temperature 10 degrees below room temperature so comfortably cool rather than nicely chilled but it is versatile, durable and easy to use.
7 Scratch Resistant: Chillz Cooling Mat For Dogs
- Gel temperature lowering technology
- No-freezing needed
- Made of non-toxic gel substance
- Puncture resistant, lightweight, and portable constructions
- Available in 3 color patterns and sizes
Currently enjoying the accolade of many pet owners, the Chillz large dog cooling mat from Hugs Pet Products is a great temperature lowering contraption that is perfect for all types of dogs as it is available in 3 sizes as well as 3 design patterns.
For those who prefer a simpler and unpretentious design, the blue Chillz offers a great choice. Of course, for those who want some flair for their pooches, they can always choose the Realtree Pink or the Realtree Xtra Green.
The Chillz looks and feels flimsy, though, having a certain thickness that is somewhat short of one’s expectations for a comfortable pad. It looks more like a thick blanket rather than a pad. Regardless, the use of gel technology that doesn’t require any freezing or chilling processes to provide for its chilling effects should be great in providing comfort for your pooch. It’s puncture resistant, too, although we’ve noticed quite a handful of consumers saying that theirs were punctured after repeated intense scratching and clawing from their respective pets.
At any rate, the non-toxic nature of the gel should provide you with peace of mind in the event that your doggie happens to be a very rabid clawer. The other good thing we noted about the Chillz and which many dog owners also report is that it may really look very ineffective but dogs really do love chilling out on this thin mattress type of temperature lowering gizmo. It’s priced relatively less expensive, too, so you get the best value for your money.
8 Easy to Clean: The Original Elevated Pet Bed By Coolaroo
- Keeps your pup off the hot ground
- Air flow is increased and material is breathable
- Flea, mite, mold and mildew resistant
- Lightweight, yet strong steel frame
- Easy to clean
Easily one of the best dog beds on the market, this option is raised above the floor. This design helps the air flow freely under your pup, and keeps them off the hot floor, helping your dog to stay cool in the warmer months.
The lightweight, yet strong steel frame is powder coated and the fabric itself is extremely easy to clean – just rinse it down, outside. It’s sturdy enough to hold medium and large dogs, while being suitable for use indoors and outdoors. Best of all, it’s flea, mite, mildew and mold resistant, due to its durable fabric.
9 The Most Unique Design: Furhaven Pet Dog Bed
- Raised edges is ideal for snuggling
- Gel-infused memory foam is gentle on joints
- Cooling gel foam and faux fleece is ideal for all seasons
- Comes in a wide range of colors and sizes
At first glance, this option doesn’t look like a cooling bed for dogs. However, you’ll be pleased to know that this option is suitable for all temperatures. The upper fleece is suitable for winter months, while the middle layer is a gel-infused memory foam, which works to wick away heat and keep your dog cool in the summer.
As well as this, the sides are raised to help your dog to feel more comfortable. At the same time, this dog bed comes in a wide range of different colors and sizes, meaning you’ll always find an option that suits your home.
10 All Year Round: KROSER Pet Bed Mat
- Reversible design for different seasons
- Made with high density foam
- Won’t fold or crimp over time
- Machine washable for easier cleaning
- Breathable fabric
This choice is great if you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to meet the needs of all the seasons. On one side, there’s a soft, self-warming plush, which makes sure your dog is always comfortable and warm. On the other, a breathable, canvas fabric helps to wick away heat and keep your dog cool and comfortable.
Between the two is a high density foam that maintains the temperature, while the sturdiness of the material ensures that your dog bed won’t fold or bend when in use. This means your dog will always be happy and healthy, regardless of the temperature. Best of all, everything is machine washable, for easier clean-up when you need it.
11 Most Durable: CoolerDog Dog Cooling Pad
- Consists of multiple layers to keep your dog cool
- Waterbed cushion for comfort
- Flexible ice sheet allows you to place ice in the mat
- Closed cell foam insulation stops heat conduction
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Another option that uses multiple layers to help provide your dog with the right temperature, this dog bed is able to keep your dog cool and warm, depending on when you need it. Suitable for use indoors and outdoors, this dog cooling pad is safe and comfortable.
The secret to this cooling bed for dogs is the additional insert. Owners can easily freeze this sheet and place it within the two cushions. It’s an old-school way to keep your dog cool – but it definitely does the trick! On top of this, closed cell foam helps to stop heat conduction, so your dog stays cool, even without the use of the sheet.
12 Best For Medium Dogs: CoolDog Reusable Ice Mat For Keeping Dogs Cool
- Non-slip base for greater grip
- Provides an insert for adding ice
- Purified water insert is safe for dogs
- Designed for small to medium dogs
Another simple but effective option, this lightweight choice is great for bringing along with you on your travels or simply to keep your dog cool when the house gets a little too warm. The non-slip base helps to keep your dog’s bed in place, while the insert is set up to easily freeze.
Speaking of which, the insert is made up of purified water for your to freeze when you need it, making it completely safe for dogs – even pups who like to chew! This option is designed for small and medium sized dogs, so isn’t ideal for keeping larger dogs warm.
13 Best For Small Dogs: NACOCO Pet Cooling Mat
- Durable and comfortable
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Mesh base provides breathability
- Made with cooling materials
- Machine washable
A simple yet affordable option that is ideal for travel or casual use around the home and in the garden. This pet cooling mat is ideal for smaller dogs, such as toy breeds and even cats. Despite it’s cheaper cost, this option is durable and comfortable for pets to use, even on warmer days, due to its nylon fabric.
The base is made of a mesh for breathability, and the bed itself comes in a range of colors, to best suit your own décor. The inner part of this cooling pet is made with jade cold element crystal, which works to absorb heat and quickly dissipate it through the fabric.
Best Dog Cooling Pad: Buyer’s Guide and FAQs
We understand the apprehension you may have when it comes to buying a canine contraption such as a cooling pad. Most newbie dog owners will readily admit that they are baffled by the sheer number of products that promise to cool down their doggies’ bodies especially in the hot months.
This is why we’ve come up with something that will help you gain a better understanding of what this device is for, how it works, and the various features that you need to be looking for in one. Hopefully, towards the end of this buying guide, you will be more than ready to make the correct decision as to which product to choose for your dog’s cooling needs.
What is a Cooling Pad for Dogs?
As the name implies a cooling pad that is specifically designed for canines is a mat that aims to lower the core body temperature of pets. There are 2 fundamental types of these products available in the market. These include the following.
Water Beds
These are almost synonymous with the waterbed that we know and some of us actually use in our homes. It is filled with water as the principal heat-absorbing substance of the product. Unfortunately, this has fallen out of favor since it is heavily dependent on the integrity of the fabric that contains the water inside. A small puncture can render it unusable, although some can easily patch it up to extend its utility.
Gel Pads
These cooling pads are now preferred over water-filled products as it is relatively low maintenance and a lot easier to clean, too. Moreover, most are flexible and portable that they can be easily stored in almost any space. If you remember those anti-fever patches that we place on our kids’ foreheads every time they have a fever, these are almost similar to the gel cooling pads for dogs.
Why You Should Use Dog Cooling Mats
Using a dog cooling mat is about much more than keeping your dog cool. Overheating can be a real problem in dogs – especially double-coated pups, as they’ll be extremely hot in the summer. However, using a cooling mat can reduce the risk associated with overheating.
They work by absorbing heat from your pup and then dissipating it in a safe and effective way. Since dogs may struggle to reduce their own body temperature effectively through panting, a cooling mat can work by providing your pup with a great surface area from which a cool point originates.
The best options are weight or pressure activated, releasing a cooling effect once your dog sits on their mat. This way, their health, and wellbeing remain positive, without wasting the cooling effects while your dog is out and about.
How Cooling Pads Work
To appreciate how cooling pads work it is imperative to understand how thermal energy is transferred from one object to another because this is technically what is occurring in such canine products. It should be remembered that the movement of thermal energy typically occurs from an object with a much higher temperature to another object or event space that has a substantially lower temperature. Let us take a look at the two methods of heat transfers that occur in cooling pads.
Conduction
In its simplest form, conduction is the movement of heat from a higher temperature source to a lower temperature destination. We are not going to go into deeper detail as to the principles of physics involved in such a process. What is sufficient to understand is that heat molecules will move from an area with higher temperatures to an area with lower temperatures.
Let’s try to illustrate this using our canine cooling mat. These devices have a much lower temperature provided by either the water or the gel that is contained within the bladder or compartment of the pad. The dog’s body is generally warmer, having a higher temperature relative to the pad. As such, the heat will move from the dog’s body and into the pad. This is the very basic explanation as to how canine cooling pads actually work.
Now, the efficiency of the heat transfer is quite dependent on several factors. For example, the difference between the temperatures of the origin (dog) and the target (pad) can play a role in the duration and effectiveness of the heat transfer. You see, heat transfers from one point to the next as long as one of these points is either higher or lower than the other. The net movement of thermal energy stops once equilibrium has been established. Simply put, if the temperature of the pad is already equal to the temperature of the dog, then conduction stops.
As such, if you have a cooling gel that is several tens of degrees colder than the dog’s body temperature, the longer will be the cooling effect since it takes time to reach equilibrium. Conversely, the smaller the temperature difference or gradient between the dog and the pad, the shorter the duration of the pad’s cooling effectiveness.
Another factor that you need to consider is the thickness of the pad since heat will have to travel across the entire gradient of this object. The thicker the pad the greater is its cooling effectiveness since it will be able to accommodate more heat molecules coming from the dog. On the other hand, a pad with a smaller surface area and a thinner cross-section will heat a lot faster.
The physical properties of the heat-absorbing elements in the pad also play a factor in heat transfer efficiency. Water can absorb heat relatively well, but synthetic gels have physical properties that allow them to absorb more heat, thus prolonging their cooling effectiveness. Now, the more gel substrate one has in a particular product, the greater will be the product’s cooling effectiveness.
Radiation
Once the temperature of the cooling pad is already at equilibrium with the dog there can no longer be any net movement of thermal energy between the two. As such, thermal radiation begins to move heat away from the source and into the surrounding air. Just think of the sun which continuously emits thermal radiation.
Applying this concept into our canine cooling pads, the heat that was ‘absorbed’ from your dog will have to be dissipated into the surrounding air. Since the pad is now ‘hotter’, it will be more efficient in radiating this ‘heat’. This is how cooling pads get ‘recharged’.
Be sure to read our review of the best-heated dog pads for some great alternatives for when the temperature drops.
Features to Look for in a Cooling Pad
Now that you know how cooling pads for dogs work it’s time to look into the various features that should help you decide on which product to buy.
Thermal Efficiency
You have learned that the thermal efficiency of a canine cooling mat can be affected by a variety of factors such as the temperature gradient between your dog and the mat, the cross-section of the product, and the physical properties of the substrate being used in such products. It is for this reason that while different products may have the same features they can vary in their thermal efficiency with some units able to cool your dog for a good 2 hours while others can do it for 4 to 5 hours. Common sense will tell you that it is better to get a product with a significantly longer cooling effect.
However, this is not the only factor that needs to be considered. You also need to check the radiation capability of the pad. Some units can return to their original state within 10 minutes while others may require a longer time.
For other products to help relieve the discomfort of hot weather, make sure you read our review of the best dog cooling vests.
Durability
Choose a product that will last several years and not just a few days. Unfortunately, many of these products often are no match to a really tenacious chewer or clawer. Regardless, the durability of materials should always be considered in your decision.
Portability
Cooling pads are not the only products that you can use to help cool your pooch during the summer. There are also cooling beds. However, given that beds are bulkier and require some form of assembly limiting their usefulness to permanent areas, cooling pads are preferred. These can be easily folded or even rolled to be stored or carried on trips. Technically, you can bring these pads anywhere you go.
Ease of Cleaning
Like all things, dog cooling mats should also be easy to clean. The good news is that the majority of these products today come with waterproof materials that you can easily wipe clean. However, do take note that these are still essentially made of fabric materials. You should never use any chemical or cleaning solution that might degrade the integrity of these materials.
Cooling pads are one of those contraptions that pooches in warm climates really can benefit from. These products work by transferring heat from your dog and then dissipating this same heat into the environment. In choosing a product that best suits your pooch, you’d have to take a look at its thermal efficiency, portability, durability, and ease of cleaning and/or maintenance. And if you have doubts about where you should start, our list of the best cooling pads for dogs will give you a head start.
Warning: When buying online, always ensure that you are purchasing a legitimate product, as there are many companies that will sell imitation products that can be easily mistaken for the real thing.
Sources:
- Meghan Lepisto, Tips to Protect Pets from Heat-Related Harms, School of Veterinary Medicine
- Cameren Rogers, Summer Safety: Saltwater A Lethal Threat to Dogs, WebMD
- Hot Weather Safety Tips, ASPCA
FAQs:
Absolutely! Of course, not all dog cooling pads are created equal. Some use a simple design to help increase the range of breathability, while others utilize the most up-to-date creations to ensure the heat is wicked away. As such, it reduces the overall temperature around your pup and helps to keep them cool in the summer.
Some cheaper options can be dangerous, if they’re using poor quality materials. If your dog is likely to chew their bed, then it’s worth investing in an option that is proven to be non-toxic. In which case, it’s better to stay away from gels and foam options – but perhaps opt for an ice-insert selection.
That depends on the temperature, the type of pet cooling mat you’ve purchased and the quality of the cooling mat you’ve chosen for your dog. A high quality option that uses gels will often remain cool for around 3-4 hours in hot weather. However, the lower the quality, the quicker the cooling mat will cool over time.
Again, this depends on the mat you’ve chosen. Options that use the space and materials to keep your pup cool will be much easier to clean, as they won’t use any layers or filling. However, most modern types will use cooling gel layers. In this case, you should opt for a cooling mat that has a removable cover, that can be hand washed or placed in a washing machine.
Most modern pet cooling mat choices can be placed in the fridge or freezer without any problems. Other choices use a removable insert, which can be placed in the freezer separately, to freeze the water, before being placed within your mat. However, you’ll want to check with each product individually, as these can vary from item to item.
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