It is no fun to watch your furry friend panting and miserable on a hot day. While humans can use a variety of tricks to stay cool, dogs aren’t quite as lucky. This is especially true for pups that have a lot of thick, long fur.
Well, the good news for both you and your pooch is that cooling pads are an effective way of lowering your dog’s temperature. So, all your pup needs to do is to lie on the mat for a while and he or she will be back to normal in no time at all.
Of course, the tough part is finding the best cooling pad for dogs. Although there are different makes and models available, not all of these are suitable for what your pooch needs. If you want to make sure that you are buying the best, then you should follow the guidelines below.
In this guide, you will find the top tips to help you select the right pad. At the same time, you will also be able to read through some of the reviews of the top options on the market…
Best Cooling Pad for Dogs
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How Dog Cooling Pads Work
You should keep in mind that most cooling pads work through the process of conduction. This means that in order for the mats to work, they have to be several degrees colder than your pup’s body temperature. It is only then that the heat from your pooch will transfer to the mat and cool them down.
This is why you will often notice that cooling pads aren’t necessarily freezing to the touch. So, if a mat doesn’t feel freezing, this doesn’t automatically signal that the pad isn’t working. That being said, the pad does need to be quite a bit cooler than your dog.
Types of Dog Cooling Pads
The first thing that you will need to realize is that there are different types of cooling pads. Let’s take a look at how each of these function:
- Gel-Based: this type of cooling pad is becoming quite popular. Here, the mat consists of a fabric-covered, gel mat. The gel absorbs the body heat of your pooch, allowing them to be considerably cooler than they were before.
- Water-Based: here, the mat is filled with a watery center. In most cases, such mats need to be refrigerated beforehand. This way, when your dog lies down on the mat, he or she will be cooled down by the chilled water.
- Electricity: these are slowly being phased out but can still be found on the market. In this instance, the mat is plugged into an electrical source and these mechanisms work to cool down both the mat as well as your pet.
Non-Toxic Materials and Safety
As mentioned, mats can be made from a wide variety of materials, particularly gels. This is why it is important to always make certain that the materials being used are absolutely safe for your pet. You will need to certainly check on this fact if your pup has a tendency to chew on their things.
Always do some research beforehand and figure out just what has been used in a particular cooling pad. In case you aren’t sure what that material is or how it will affect your pooch, make sure to look it up. You will then have a better idea of whether or not that substance is suitable for your dog.
Size
There is little sense in buying a mat that your pup can’t fit on. So, always make it a point to check the dimensions of any product that you wish to buy. Then, measure your pup when he or she is all stretched out. Is there enough space for your dog on that mat?
Durability
As you are probably aware, your pup can be rather destructive, even when they don’t mean to. This, of course, is thanks to all those teeth and claws. So, you need to make certain that the cooling pad that you are selecting is able to withstand constant use and abuse by your pup. One way to do this is to determine that the mat is made from high quality and tough materials.
Maintenance
Last but not least, you are going to need to keep the mat as clean as possible for your pooch. To avoid any hassle, ensure that the mat is made from fabrics or materials that can be cleaned rather easily. As a result, you will then not have to use any special cleaning methods to keep it spotless.
Best Dog Cooling Pad Reviews
Now let’s take a look at some of the most effective cooling pads available for you and your pooch:
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This cooling pet has a gel infused center. This works incredibly well to regulate your pup’s temperature and can keep him or her cool during the hottest of days. In fact, due to the conduction mechanism of this pad, it is equally suitable for summer and winter days.
What’s great about this mat is that it is also memory foam. As a result, it will conform to the particular shape of your pup, making it a lot easier for him or her to get comfortable. This is a great mat to place on top of the hard ground as it also offers up your pooch just the right level of cushioning as well.
This bed is available in different sizes, ranging from large to jumbo. Therefore, you should find it relatively easy to find a size that is suitable for your pooch, regardless of their age or breed. Another perk with this mat is that it is equipped with an anti-slip, waterproof material on the bottom. To add to this, it is also resistant to mold and mildew as well.
The only issue with this pet mat is that it can be rather tricky to clean. It needs to be hand washed and absorbs water rather rapidly. However, it can endure many rounds of washing.
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The main thing to know about this pad is that it is made from self-cooling fabric. Therefore, you don’t have to contribute to the cooling process in any way at all. The fabric works to ensure that it is always a few degrees cooler than your pooch.
Not only does the fabric keep itself cool but the bottom part of the pad is made from mesh. This allows your pup’s body heat to be absorbed and then passed out. So, they can stay cooler for a longer period of time. That being said, this may not be the best mat for extreme temperatures as it has limited cooling function.
The cooling pad is available in three different sizes – small, medium, and large. Due to this, you should be able to find the perfect dimensions for your pup. This mat is sure to be a good match for pooches of all sizes and breeds.
This mat works well for pups that like to chew. Since there is no additional material such as gels, it is completely safe for your pooch to gnaw on. Keeping the pad clean is an absolute breeze as well. Simply throw it in the wash and any dirt will be taken care of.
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This is a water-based pad and comes with an insert that is filled with water. This can be placed in a refrigerator until frozen and then popped into the fabric cover so that your pup has something nice and cool to lay on. If your pooch has thick and voluminous fur, then this will certainly be a good option for him or her.
The only real downside with this ice mat is that you have to wait until the insert is frozen until you can use. Therefore, to really keep your pup comfortable, you are going to need to plan ahead of time. However, you can purchase a greater number of inserts so that you can always have an additional one on hand.
The mat is available in just one size and this works well for most dogs who are small or medium-sized. The good news, though, is that the mat is equipped with a hook and loop linkable tabs. So, if you do have a larger pooch, it is just a matter of purchasing another mat and sticking them together.
The fabric itself is actually rather durable – the canvas upper makes it tough for most dogs to chew through. The bottom portion of the pad is covered in a non-slip material, ensuring that it will stay in place.
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This gel-based, self cooling pad is excellent for anyone who lives in a really warm climate. The pad really does a wonderful job of ensuring that your pup stays as cool as possible, without needing to do anything at all! Best of all, this pad recharges by itself as well. So, within a short time, it is ready for your pooch to use it again.
The pad is also incredibly safe for your dog to lie down as well. This is because unlike many other options, this mat is made from pet-safe nylon rather than latex. Not to mention, because it is so durable, it is quite tough for your pup to destroy it as well. In fact, thanks to its puncture-resistant exterior, it is unlikely that your pooch will be able to tear a hole in it.
The only downside with this cooling pad is the face that the upper portion is rather slippery. So, if your dog is not too stable on his or her feet, they may slip around when trying to rest on the mat. On the upside, this does make the mat rather easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a wet cloth and you are all good to go.
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This is yet another cooling mat that works well in the heat of summer. It relies on a gel that works to cool down your pup, even the ones with incredibly thick fur. So, if you have a dog that gets quite warm, this is a mat that is sure to help them feel more comfortable.
Another one of the perks of this mat is that is actually self-cooling. This means that if the mat begins to get too warm after a while, it is simply a matter of moving your pup away. Then, within fifteen to twenty minutes, the pad will be all ready again.
The pad is available in sizes ranging from small to extra-large. As such, there are plenty of size options for you to choose from, ensuring that you will find the perfect fit for your pup. This mat also works well for a wide variety of breeds.
One of the main issues with this pad is that the top layer can be punctured rather easily. So, if you have a pup that likes to bite or scratch, there is no guarantee that this mat is going to last too long. However, if you have a relatively calm pooch on your hands, then it shouldn’t be a problem.
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Now, it should be noted that this cooling pad isn’t specifically meant for dogs. However, it works just as well as any other pad on this list in keeping your pooch nice and cool during those warm days. This is largely due to the fact that this gel-based pad is excellent at conducting and dispelling heat.
Another great feature on this pad is that it consists of memory foam. So, the pad has no trouble taking the precise shape of your pooch’s body as he or she is sleeping. This is an excellent thing to have for dogs of all ages, particularly ones that need a little more cushioning.
In fact, the top part of the cooling pad is made from soft and comfortable velour fleece. Therefore, it will act as the perfect bedding for your pooch. This also makes it a good looking pad to keep virtually anywhere in the house as well. The bottom layer is made from an anti-slip layer that will keep your pup from slipping and sliding around.
The most notable issue with this cooling pad is the fact that it can be rather difficult to clean. For best results, you will need to hand wash it and even then, the procedure can prove to be quite tricky.
If you had to select just one cooling pad from this list, then it would probably be the Dogbed4less pad. It is an excellent option for all warm environments and will be effective in keeping your pup as cool as possible. Not to mention, it is also comfortable and actually be used for all months of the year. The sizing chart for this pad also ensures that it is suitable for virtually any pooch that you may have.
This concludes this examination into the best cooling pad for dogs. This guide should help you to select one on your own or you can take the simple route and pick one out from one of the many options available here.
Last update on 2024-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API