Skip to Content

Are Pet Cooling Mats Worth Your Money?

 

Dog cooling mats are a must-have accessory for pet owners who want to keep their dog comfortable and safe during the hot summer months.

These innovative mats are designed to provide quick relief to dogs that are warm.

With their cooling technology, these mats can quickly reduce a dog’s body temperature, making it a good solution for dogs that struggle to regulate their body temperature.

Not only are these mats a great way to keep your dog cool and comfortable, but they also provide numerous health benefits including aiding in joint relief for dogs that suffer with arthritis or hip dysplasia. 

I’ve been using cooling mats for my dogs for almost 9 years now so, let’s go over what they are and if you should invest in one for your dog. 

I say invest because if you have a big dog like me, it can be a costly but good investment at first. 

My Brown Newfies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other affiliate programs

What Are Dog Coolings Mats?

are dog cooling pads worth the money

Dog cooling mats or cooling pads are just that, a pad that a dog sits or lays on but it’s nice and cold. 

Unlike a heating pad or warming pad, many cooling mats don’t plug into an outlet, instead, they contain water or a non-toxic cooling gel inside that is activated once pressure is applied to it. 

I prefer the gel cooling pads because they’re more portable and super easy to fold up and take with you or move from inside to outside without struggling.

I’ve never tried a cooling pad that has water because most people I spoke to before purchasing ours used gel mats.

I’ve found that dog cooling mats can range anywhere from $25-$80 so for smaller dogs, it’s pretty affordable. 

Benefits of Getting a Cooling Pad For Dog

They are many benefits that a dog can benefit from if they have a cooling pad such as:

They can help a dog stay cool.

Cooling pads are a great way for your dog to cool down on a hot summer day. 

They can help an overheated dog seek a cool spot and regulate their body temperature faster than laying on a warm dog bed or carpet. 

Cooling pads are also a great way for senior dogs to stay comfortable in the warmer weather. 

They can help a dog sleep or nap comfortably.

Newfies are always seeking a cool spot to lay all year round but in the summer a cooling pad is an easy way for them to catch a nap when the temps are rising. 

You can use them in a crate, in the car, on a dog bed or just on the regular floor. 

Joint relief. 

Cooling pads can offer support for aching joints and muscles making it a great option for senior dogs or dogs recovering from a ligament injury

They’re also a better option than laying on hard ceramic tile or concrete. 

Other health conditions that cooling mats might help in dogs include:  

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cushing’s Disease
  • Allergies
  • Post Surgery Conditions
  • Achy Joints/Bones in Senior Canines
  • Post Chemotherapy
  • Skin Conditions

Dog cooling mats are versatile too. 

I use one of ours to help keep the water outside cool.

I just set the water bowls on top of it in the shade. 

I also use it on our DIY grooming table when I’m doing summer grooming. 

pet cooling mats

Cons Of Getting a Cooling Mat For Your Dog

The biggest con of getting a dog a cooling mat is getting your dog to use it! 

Over the years I’ve heard of so many people that get their Newfie a cooling mat only for the Newfie to completely ignore it. 

This is totally normal and a popular issue among pet owners!

Dogs are creatures of habit and it’s not easy to try and convince them that a cooling pad is way better than a hard floor. 

It has taken most of my dogs a few weeks to warm up to laying on the cooling pad but once they do, it’s almost impossible to get them to move off of it!

I usually keep one in the house and one in the car. 

If you’re looking for a less expensive way to keep your dog cool this summer, check out the Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed

We have 2 of these elevated beds and I can’t say enough about them.

Not only are they affordable for large dogs but they also hold up really well AND they improved the design this year.

Check out 4 Easy Ways To Get Your Dog To Use That Cooling Mat

 

dog drinking water while standing on a cooling mat

 

How Long Do Cooling Mats Last?

I’ve only used The Green Pet Shop Cooling Mats and they seem to last about 2-3 years with year-round use.

I keep our pads out ALL year and they get used ALL year.

When it’s time for a new one I’ll notice that the gel is hard and no longer squishy.

For daily use, most cooling pads will continue to cool for about 4 to 6 hours but this all depends on the type of cooling mat you have, what it is made out of and where it is being used. 

 

newfoundland dog laying on a cooling pad

 

How Does The Green Pet Shop Cooling Pad Work?

It’s weight or pressure activated; “as soon as your 4-legged friend lies down the cooling effect starts. 

It will cool for up to 3-4 hours of constant use and will last for years.

It recharges itself automatically after a brief period of non-use.

It cools for 3-4 hours of constant use and recharges automatically after a brief period of non-use

big dog standing on cooling mar

It is non-toxic and safe for pets, people and the planet.

I’ve sat on it and I can feel that it’s cool.

It’s not freezing my butt off cool but it’s definitely cool.

You can also toss it in the fridge or freezer to make it even more refreshing for your dog. 

How To Make A Pet Cooling Mat Last Longer

As I stated earlier in this post, our cooling mats tend to last about 2-3 years being used all year round.

Cooling pads will last longer if you’re not like me and actually take care of them.

A few ways you can stretch out the life of a cooling pad are:

  • Get a protective cover. I’m not sure about other cooling pads but The Green Pet Shop offers covers for their mats
  • Clean your cooling mat with a soft cloth and mild soap on a regular basis.
  • If you’re going to store it, make sure it’s dry before you fold it up
  • When not in use, store in a cool, dry place.
  • Keep the cooling pad out of the direct sun.

newfie sitting on cooling mat

If you’re planning to store the cooling mat for a long period of time, like over the winter, seal the product in a plastic bag.

The Green Pet Shop Mat does come with a 12-month limited manufacturer warranty from the time of purchase with proper care so hold onto your receipt.

You can also purchase a cover to help it stay clean-after 7 years, I finally ordered one this year! 

Are Cooling Pads Toxic To Dogs?

According to The Green Pet Shop,

“This product is not meant for consumption.”

While the gel is non-toxic, we always recommend taking your pet to the veterinarian if they ingest any part of the Cool Pet Pad. 

In some cases, an allergic reaction can occur which can affect the health of your pet. ”

If your pet is prone to chewing, DO NOT leave it unattended with the Cool Pet Pad.

are dog cooling mats worth it

It’s not a chew toy and they will be able to destroy it if left unattended. 

Finn slowly chewed the corners of ours!

But to answer the question  Are Pet Cooling Mats Worth Your Money?

I think that’s all up to your dog.

For us, it has turned out to be well worth the investment and we’ve purchased them for many years, but it did take my dogs time to use it.

big dog on cooling mat

Many dogs don’t like it when their world is shaken up by a new thing in their favorite spots.

Some dogs may eventually come around and some may not.

Do pet cooling mats cool a dog better than a tile floor?

According to my dogs, it’s about the same.

They will still seek out a nice cool ceramic tile in the basement on a hot summer day but they also use the pet cooling mat if they are upstairs.

When I asked around on my FB page a few weeks ago it seemed like more people said that when their dogs had a choice to use a cooling mat they did not.

However, if put in an area like a crate where the dog has no say in it, the dog did not protest.

I wonder if it has to do with as much of a cooling effect it has on certain dogs.

Last week I ordered another XL cooling mat, a mat cover and I also bought the cheaper version of their cooling pad.  I bought the camo cooling mat one which is almost $40 cheaper than the original.

I’ll update this post when those products arrive to let you know how they compare!

Visit The Green Pet Shop for more information and products and use code BROWNNEWFIES to save 15% off your order!

USE CODE: BROWNNEWFIES to save 20% off your order!

Click here

 

 

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Lydia

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

I have used the Green Pet cooling mats for years. Indie loves hers. Balthazar turned his nose up for a few months and then one day I found him laying on it! Now he lays on it about 1/2 the night when he is not laying on the bathroom floor. And I use the covers that they sell- have a few so can put a new one on and wash the dirty ones. These cooling mats are 100% approved by my newfs!

7 Ways to Prepare for Winter with Dogs - Kol's Notes

Monday 17th of December 2018

[…] fav bad boys from My Brown Newfies would rather be outside, but when they *have to* come into the warm cozy house, cooling mats make […]

c

Sunday 15th of July 2018

got one for the poodle and he has his head on it! He summarily rejected a mesh "hammock-style" bed that I tried a few years ago...thought it would be good to have airflow underneath ...had to just take it back to the store, but he seems OK with this.

Big Dog Calluses: Are They Inevitable Or Preventable?

Monday 28th of August 2017

[…] a cooling mat, but I have heard great things from others about them.  Check out this review from My Brown Newfies about her experience using a cooling mat with her two Newfoundlands.  Don’t tell Sulley and […]

Herry Hermawan

Saturday 26th of August 2017

I think it is very useful if we buy a pet cooling mats for our pets, as some cooling mats have a function that can alleviate some of the problems that often occur in pets such as pain, swelling, discomfort, and stress.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Homemade Cranberry Dog Treats 20 Easy Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas The 4 Stages Of The Newfoundland Dog Homemade Apple Dog Treats No-Bake Pumpkin Dog Treats