Skip to content

Free US shipping over $49 · 30-day free returns

Giddy PetsGiddy Pets

Dogs

Dog cooling mats

Little things. Happy tails.

28 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.

Shop the range Help me choose
A happy dog relaxing at homeA happy life, one little thing at a time.
All dogs beds & furniture →Dog crates →Dog blankets →Elevated dog beds →Dog couches & sofa beds →Dog beds →Orthopedic dog beds →Dog houses →Dog mattresses →Donut dog beds →Dog couch covers →Dog crate beds →Dog steps for couch →
Tracked US shippingEstimates on every itemReturns & refundsHow it worksHere to helpTalk to Giddy Pets

All dog cooling mats

Little essentials. Lots of love.

28 products

This page covers cooling pads and mats for dogs: pressure-activated gel mats, ice-silk and quilted cooling fabrics, self-cooling and breathable mats, a reversible warming and cooling mat, raised mesh cooling beds and a cooling sofa bed. Sizes run from small pads for cats and toy breeds to large mats for big dogs. It is for owners heading into summer, and for flat-faced, older or heavy-coated dogs that struggle in the heat.

How cooling mats work

Gel cooling mats contain a non-toxic gel that absorbs body heat when a dog lies on it and releases it again when the dog gets up, so they need no water, refrigeration or power. They feel noticeably cool for a while and then warm to body temperature, so they work best in a shaded or air-conditioned spot where the gel can recover.

Ice-silk and quilted cooling fabrics feel cool to the touch because they move heat away from the skin and do not trap it the way plush bedding does. Raised mesh beds work differently again, letting air circulate underneath the dog. On the hottest days, a gel mat on a cool floor or a raised bed in the shade gives the most relief.

Choosing the right size

Measure your dog lying stretched out on its side, from nose to the base of the tail, and choose a mat a few inches longer. Dogs move off a cooling surface as it warms, so a little extra space lets them shift onto a cooler section rather than leave the mat.

Small pads suit cats, toy breeds and crates. Medium and large mats suit most family dogs, and the extra-large sizes and sofa beds suit giant breeds or two dogs sharing. If you plan to use the mat in a crate, measure the crate floor first so the mat lies flat without folding.

Safety and durability

Gel mats are not chew toys. A punctured mat can leak, and while the gels used are described as non-toxic, chewed plastic and gel are not something a dog should swallow. Supervise puppies and chewers, and choose fabric cooling mats or a raised bed for dogs that dig at or chew bedding.

Most fabric mats are machine washable and gel mats can be wiped clean. Check seams and corners regularly, and retire a gel mat if it splits. Dry fabric mats fully before storing them for winter so they do not develop a musty smell.

Heat safety for dogs

A cooling mat helps a dog stay comfortable; it does not make a hot car or a midday walk safe. The American Kennel Club lists heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, hot skin and a racing heart as early signs of heatstroke. Puppies, seniors, overweight dogs and flat-faced breeds are most at risk.

If you see those signs, move your dog somewhere cool, wet it with cool or tepid water (not ice), and use a fan. The American Kennel Club advises a vet visit even if your dog seems to recover, because heat can cause internal damage that is not visible. Walk early or late on hot days and keep water available.

Cooling mats through the year

Cooling mats earn their keep from the first warm spell of spring to the end of summer, and longer in the South and Southwest. A reversible warming and cooling mat can stay in use all year, with the cool side up in summer and the soft side up in winter.

Indoors, a mat by a sunny window or in a warm upstairs room is useful even with air conditioning. Outdoors, put it in shade on a deck or patio, never on hot concrete in full sun, where it will soak up heat rather than draw it away.

Do dog cooling mats really work?

Yes, for comfort. Gel mats feel cool for a period and then recover once the dog gets up, and fabric mats stay cooler than plush bedding. They do not replace shade, water and limiting activity in heat.

Do you put a dog cooling mat in the freezer?

Pressure-activated gel mats do not need freezing or refrigeration. Follow the maker's care label; freezing some mats can crack the gel pouch or make it uncomfortably cold.

Are gel cooling mats safe for dogs?

They are safe for lying on, but they are not chew-proof. Supervise puppies and chewers, and replace any mat that is torn, punctured or leaking gel.

What size cooling mat does my dog need?

Measure your dog lying on its side from nose to base of the tail and add a few inches, so it can move onto a cooler patch as one area warms.