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 11 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. 

What Are Dog Cooling Mats?

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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 Mat For Dogs

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.

Pet cooling mats can help regulate a dog’s body temperature because they are engineered to absorb and dissipate heat which provides a cool surface for your dog to rest on.

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 mat is an easy way for them to catch a nap when the temps are rising. 

They’re portable

Many pet cooling mats are foldable which means 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 

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. 

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

 

 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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