Cooling Mats for Dogs: How They Work and Who Needs One

Do cooling mats for dogs work, and does your dog need one?

A cooling mat can make a warm surface to lie on feel more comfortable, and some dogs like them. But it is a comfort aid, not a safety device. It will not protect a dog from heatstroke, and many dogs get along perfectly well without one.

The things that really protect a dog in hot weather are far more basic: shade, fresh water, a cool room, sensible exercise timing, and never leaving a dog in a parked car. A mat can sit alongside those, but it should never replace them.

In this guide we explain how pressure-activated gel mats work, which dogs tend to struggle with warm weather, how to use a mat sensibly, the warning signs of overheating that need urgent action, and cheaper alternatives. We are a small store, not vets, so for any concern about your dog's health in the heat, please contact your vet straight away.

How does a pressure-activated cooling mat work?

A pressure-activated cooling mat contains a gel layer inside a wipe-clean cover. When your dog lies on it, the gel is pressed and a cooler-feeling surface forms beneath their body. There is no plug, no battery, and nothing to put in the fridge or freezer, which is why these mats are popular.

It helps to be realistic about what this means. A passive mat like this cannot make your dog cooler than the room around it. It simply gives them a surface that feels cooler than a blanket or a warm bed, and like any passive cooling surface it can warm up the longer a dog lies on it. Many dogs will happily move on and off it throughout the day, which is fine.

The mat works best in a cool, shaded, ventilated spot. A mat in a hot conservatory or in direct sun will not do a great deal, however well it is made. And because the gel and outer layer can be damaged by claws and teeth, it is worth checking the mat regularly and not leaving a chewer alone with it.

Which dogs struggle most with warm weather?

Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, so anything that makes panting less effective can make heat harder to cope with. Dogs more likely to struggle include the following.

• Flat-faced breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs and similar dogs, whose airways make panting less efficient.
• Thick or double-coated breeds.
• Overweight dogs.
• Older dogs, who may have less stamina and may not tell you they are uncomfortable until they are quite warm.
• Dogs with heart, breathing or other health conditions.
• Very young dogs, and dogs who are not used to the heat.
• Dark-coated dogs lying in sunny spots.

Some mobility-limited dogs have an extra problem: if a dog cannot easily get up and move to a cooler spot, they are reliant on you to arrange their surroundings. That is a good reason to set up a cool place in advance rather than waiting until they are already hot. If your dog has a health condition, ask your vet what hot weather precautions suit them.

What matters more than a cooling mat in hot weather?

If you only do the following, you will already be doing more for your dog than any mat can. Think of these as the foundation.

• Shade and airflow. Keep your dog in the coolest part of the house, with curtains closed against the afternoon sun and a fan or open window for air movement.
• Fresh water everywhere. Have several bowls and refill them often. Some dogs drink more if the bowl is easy to reach; our guide on whether dog bowls should be raised may help.
• Walk early or late. Avoid exercise in the hottest part of the day, and remember that pavements can be hot enough to hurt paws. Test with the back of your hand.
• Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes, even with the window open.
• Groom sensibly. Regular brushing helps remove loose undercoat, though please do not shave a double-coated dog without advice from a groomer or vet. See our senior dog grooming guide.
• Keep your dog at a healthy weight.
• Know the signs of overheating, covered in the next section.

What are the signs of overheating, and what should you do?

Heatstroke is an emergency. A cooling mat is a comfort tool and is not a treatment once a dog is seriously overheated. Watch for these signs.

• Heavy panting that does not settle, or noisy, laboured breathing.
• Drooling more than usual.
• Bright red or very pale gums.
• Restlessness, or on the other hand, unusual lethargy or reluctance to move.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Wobbliness, collapse or confusion.

If you see these signs, move your dog to a cool, shaded place straight away, offer small amounts of water, and call your vet immediately for advice, telling them it is a possible heat emergency. Your vet will tell you how to cool your dog on the way, and the general advice is to cool gradually rather than with ice-cold water, but follow your vet's instructions on the day. Do not wait to see if your dog improves by themselves.

If your dog has been in the heat and seems unwell afterwards, even if they appear to recover, it is still worth a call to your vet.

How should you use a cooling mat safely?

If you decide to try one, a few simple habits make it more useful and safer.

1. Put it in a shaded, ventilated spot, not in direct sun and not in a stuffy conservatory. 2. Place it on a flat, non-slip surface. A mat that slides on a hard floor is a hazard for a stiff or unsteady dog. If your dog has trouble with slippery floors, see our guide to why dogs slip on hard floors. 3. Introduce it gently. Leave it out and let your dog investigate in their own time. A treat on the mat can help. Never force a dog onto it. 4. Let your dog choose. Some dogs never take to a mat, and that is fine. 5. Check it regularly. Look for punctures, leaks or chew marks. If the cover is damaged, stop using the mat and keep your dog from eating any of the contents. 6. Keep it clean. Wipe it down regularly with mild soap and water, and let it dry. 7. Provide cool water nearby. 8. Do not use it as a substitute for supervision. If it is a very hot day, check on your dog regularly.

If your dog eats part of a mat, contact your vet straight away.

Are there cheaper or simpler alternatives?

Quite possibly, yes. If your dog is not a heavy-duty heat sufferer, one of these may be all you need.

• A cool, tiled or laminate floor. Many dogs will lie on a cool hard floor on their own, though for older dogs a slippery surface can be a problem, so it needs to be safe underfoot.
• A damp (not soaking) towel in a shaded spot, if your dog tolerates it.
• A frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel, so your dog can lie next to it rather than on it. Supervise, and remove it if it is chewed.
• A fan, positioned safely away from where it can be knocked over, giving gentle airflow.
• A raised, breathable bed that lets air circulate underneath.
• Moving your dog's bed to a cooler room for the summer.

None of these is perfect, and all of them need supervision. But for many dogs, a combination of shade, water and airflow does most of the work.

What are the common mistakes with cooling mats?

• Treating the mat as a heatstroke defence. It is not. Shade, water, rest and sensible exercise are what count.
• Leaving it in direct sun or a hot room, where it will do very little.
• Using a mat on a slippery floor that has no grip, which can make a stiff dog fall.
• Forcing a nervous dog to lie on it. Dogs who are made to use things tend to avoid them.
• Using a damaged mat. Punctures and chewed corners are a reason to stop using it.
• Forgetting to check the mat is not warming up under a dog who lies there for hours.
• Ignoring signs of overheating because the dog is lying on a mat. If your dog is panting heavily, the mat is not the answer, and a vet call is.

Quick answers

Does a cooling mat need to go in the fridge? Not for a pressure-activated gel mat, which works without power or freezing. Always check the instructions for the product you buy.

Can I use a cooling mat in a crate or the car? A mat that rolls flat can travel well, but never leave a dog in a parked car, mat or not. For car journeys, see our guide to boot liners and seat protectors.

My dog will not lie on the mat. What now? Do not worry. Many dogs prefer a cool floor or a shady spot, and it is far better to focus on shade, water and airflow.

How do I know if the weather is too hot to walk? A good rule is that if it feels uncomfortably hot to you, it is too hot for your dog. Walk at the cooler ends of the day, and check the pavement with the back of your hand.