Best Cooling Mats for Dogs: Keep Your Pup Comfortable All Summer Long
When summer temperatures rise, keeping your dog cool and comfortable becomes a top priority. One of the most effective ways to help your furry friend beat the heat is by using a cooling mat. These specially designed mats provide a refreshing place for your dog to relax and regulate their body temperature. In this blog post, we'll review the best cooling mats for dogs, discuss their benefits, and provide tips on how to choose the perfect one for your pet. Let's ensure your pup stays cool and happy during the hottest months of the year!
7/22/20246 min read
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Cooling mats for dogs are special underlays for lying on. They offer the dog cooling, especially at high temperatures.
They are particularly suitable for use in hot outside temperatures. For example, they can make car journeys more pleasant for your dog in summer.
If you have little shade in the garden, a cooling mat can also be ideal there. It makes high temperatures more bearable. This is useful for sick and old dogs as well as dogs that are sensitive to temperature.
Cooling mats can also be used to cool inflammation or injured joints. This can be helpful for osteoarthritis, for example.
How does a cooling mat for dogs work?
A cooling mat for dogs works on the basis of special gel or water fillings. These can absorb and release heat. As soon as your dog lies down on the mat, the liquid in the mat absorbs the body heat.
At the same time, the heat is distributed over the entire surface of the cooling mat. This cools down the surface of your dog's body. This helps to regulate the body temperature.
Cooling mats are available in different sizes and variants. The different products work with different cooling techniques:
Cold water: These cooling mats are simply filled with cold water.
Gel to dissipate heat: A gel in these mats ensures cool temperatures. It cools under pressure. This means that as soon as the four-legged friend lies down on the mat, the cooling effect is activated. These mats cool down to around three to four degrees below body temperature.
Gel as a cold reservoir: A third method is the classic preparation in the refrigerator. You are probably familiar with this system from cooling pads. First you have to place the mat in the fridge for a while to cool it down. Only then can you use the cooling mat. This also contains a cooling gel.
There are also cooling mats that are based on so-called phase change materials (PCM). These materials can store heat and release it again when required. When your dog's body temperature rises, the PCM absorbs the excess heat. This lowers your dog's body temperature.
Some cooling blankets need to be cooled in the fridge or freezer before use. However, the gel in most cooling mats is self-cooling.
Self-cooling mats are often filled with a pressure-activated gel that starts cooling as soon as your dog lies on it. This is particularly practical because you no longer have to pre-cool the mat.
Of course, cooling blankets and mats are not designed to make your dog freezing cold. Rather, the mat should help your four-legged friend to feel more comfortable in high temperatures.
Which cooling mat is the best?
To ensure that the cooling mat is really useful for your dog, there are a few things to consider when buying one.
Above all, the cooling mat must be large enough. Make sure that your dog can lie comfortably on it.
I wouldn't buy the cheapest mat made of thin material. Because the cooling mat has to withstand a lot.
Just remember that dogs like to scratch their bed with their paws. The material should be correspondingly robust.
Think about which cooling function is suitable for you. If you first have to put the mat in the fridge until it is ready for use, you need to plan ahead.
You will also need enough space in the fridge. This can be particularly difficult on hot summer days. I have listed my favorites here.
My favorite cooling mats:
Is a cooling mat good for dogs?
When it comes to cooling mats for dogs, the opinions of experts and dog lovers are extremely varied. Some say you could do without them.
The other side sees cooling mats as useful and a great relief for dogs. This is especially true during the hot summer months and for dog breeds that tend to overheat.
Then a cooling mat can help to regulate your dog's body temperature and prevent overheating. After all, dogs don't sweat like us humans.
Therefore, cooling mats provide a pleasant and cool surface. Your dog can rest, relax and cool down on it.
However, it is important to choose the right cooling mat for your dog. It should be large enough for your dog to lie on comfortably. And it should be made of durable and non-toxic materials.
When using the mat, make sure that it is not damaged. If it is damaged, the cooling gel can leak out. It is then essential that you prevent your dog from licking up this gel.
Ultimately, it also depends on how your furry friend reacts to the cooling mat. Some dogs are initially reluctant to use the mat. Get your dog used to it slowly. Use positive reinforcement to encourage your four-legged friend to use the mat.
Even the best cooling mat is never a protection against overheating. Keep a close eye on your dog, especially at high temperatures.
Always take your dog to shady places. Make sure they have enough drinking water. Dogs do not sweat, but regulate their body temperature by panting. This consumes a lot of fluids.
Under no circumstances should you leave your dog alone in the car in high temperatures. Not even if you use a cooling mat. The temperature in the car can rise to 60° C in a short time.
How long can a dog lie on the cooling mat?
In principle, there is no maximum time that your dog can lie on a cooling mat. However, it is important to observe your dog's behavior. Make sure he is comfortable and not hypothermic.
Some dogs love to spend all day on their cooling mat, while others only use it for short periods of time. As soon as your dog seems uncomfortable or shows signs of discomfort, you should remove him from the cooling mat.
Your dog must always be able to get up from the mat. This is why cooling mats in dog transport boxes should only be half the size of the lying surface.
Most cooling mats stay cool for around 3 to 4 hours. After that, they need a short break to cool down again.
Experience and cool alternatives
Cooling mats are practical utensils that can make everyday life with dogs easier. If they are used sensibly and with care, the cool surface is definitely useful.
However, a cooling mat is not absolutely necessary for the happiness of dog and owner. You can also help your dog to cool down by other means:
A dog pool or simply the garden hose offer a short cool-down. (Toozey Dog Pool for Large and Small)
In the car, air conditioning and breaks where the animal can drink water help. If possible, an open window is also ideal. (Pupflask Movable Water Bottle)
Simply fill a water bottle with cold water. This also cools you down.
In the garden, it is certainly more pleasant if you prepare a nice place in the shade for your dog.
To cool injuries, you can make compresses with curd cheese. Simple cool packs cool the affected areas in a targeted manner.
Conclusion on the best cooling mat
To summarize, cooling mats can be a valuable tool. During the hot summer months, they provide comfort, especially in hot environments.
They are helpful in regulating body temperature and preventing overheating. In addition, cooling mats have therapeutic benefits for dogs with health conditions.
When choosing the right cooling mat for your dog, it is important to consider the size, material and type of cooling technology.
Then you can make the summer heat more bearable with a cooling mat. However, even the best mat can never replace sufficient water and a shady place to lie down.