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Dogs struggle with keeping cool when it gets hot. They only have a few ways of beating the heat: panting, blood vessel expansion, and, to a lesser extent, sweating through their paws. If a dog’s body temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit (F), they can suffer hyperthermia, a serious condition that can lead to organ failure and other life-threatening complications.
So, as temperatures rise and humidity builds, are the dog days of summer canceled? Not quite. Cooling pads, mats, and other products are great tools to have on hand to help your dog stay comfortable on hot days.
While beneficial, cooling mats shouldn’t be used as a substitute for adequate hydration, sun protection, or frequent breaks. They’re just one facet of ensuring your dog can make the most of their time outdoors.
In This Article
How Do Cooling Products for Dogs Work?
Many cooling pads, mats, and beds rely on:
- Pressure-activated technology. Often, mats contain a gel beneath a thin plush exterior. The gel absorbs both your dog’s body heat and the energy transferred from stepping on it, causing a chemical reaction that causes a cooling sensation. Some products claim to keep cool for up to a certain amount of time. Then, the dog steps off the mat, and the gel “recharges” within a short period.
- Refrigeration. Some simpler, more budget-friendly cooling mats require that users refrigerate them before use. These are ideal for short-term use or in shaded areas.
- Frozen reusable inserts. Rather than put the entire mat in the freezer, some come with removable inserts that you fill with water and then freeze. This offers an alternative to chemical-based gels that an overactive dog could attempt to chew.
The intensity and duration of the cooling itself depend on many factors, and these elements can vary from product to product. Your budget, dog’s needs, and local climate should guide your decision when making an informed purchase.
The Benefits of Cooling Mats and Beds for Dogs
There’s no such thing as being overly cautious or considerate when promoting your dog’s comfort, especially when high temperatures pose a threat to their safety. The main benefit of cooling mats, as the name implies, is to keep your dog cool. By extension, this:
- Prevents the development of heatstroke. The relief from a cooling bed or mat would minimize vasodilation, a process by which blood vessels expand and bring overheated blood closer to the surface. It’s an effective process but can lead to dehydration and heatstroke if a dog doesn’t drink enough water.
- Provides relief for dogs with soft-tissue conditions. Many senior dogs not only need help with temperature regulation but also live with arthritis and other degenerative soft-tissue conditions. The soothing temperature of a cooling mat could offer pain relief and a cozy napping spot.
- Helps your dog remain hydrated. Dogs primarily lose hydration through panting. The relief offered by a cooling pad would minimize the need to pant and help them retain hydration.
Beyond promoting your dog’s comfort and safety, a cooling pad may also add some variety to your dog’s activities, offering a wider range of textures, temperatures, and sensations as they explore.
Which Dogs Can Benefit from Cooling Mats?
Every dog can benefit from an effective cooling mat. However, there are some dogs more likely to benefit than others. For example, some dogs become more sensitive to extreme temperatures as they age and may need help maintaining a stable body temperature. Additionally, some breeds, such as short-snouted and double-coated dogs, can struggle with keeping cool more so than others.
Certain health conditions may also affect a dog’s self-cooling abilities and make them good candidates for cooling products. These health problems can include obesity, respiratory distress (such as those stemming from heart disease), and excess fluid around the heart or lungs. Talk to your veterinarian about other ways aside from cooling mats that can keep your dog safe and comfortable when temperatures rise.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Cooling Mat
The ideal cooling pad should be easy to clean, effective, and above all, safe. Still, the factors to consider when purchasing a cooling bed, mat, or pad depend on your individual dog’s needs.
For example, if you have a teething puppy who shreds everything, you may consider a durable cooling mat made of nylon. Nylon is not only easy to clean, but it offers a protective layer against puncture and bite marks. On the other hand, a plush, cotton-based cooling pad may be a bad choice, as a mouthy puppy could tear it and chew the gel insert. While this gel should be nontoxic, you’ll be left with a big mess to clean up.
Another factor to consider is where you intend to use the cooling pad, as this will ensure you maximize the product’s potential. You may opt for a budget-friendly, refrigerated cooling pad if you’re intending on using it indoors and want to offer your dog respite from an uncomfortable but not intolerable heat. On the other hand, if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you should consider one that relies on a long-lasting, pressure-activated gel that doesn’t require much maintenance.
Just be sure to choose a pad that’s suitable for your dog’s size. With cooling pads, bigger is always better! A Chihuahua will be sure to benefit from a Great Dane-sized cooling mat; the same can’t be said the other way around!
Other Products to Consider
If you have a high-energy dog who’s always on the move, you’re not out of luck when helping them stay cool. There are many types of apparel designed to keep dogs comfortable without limiting their mobility or adventures.
One such product is cooling bandanas, which are made with a moisture-retaining fabric that can keep a dog feeling refreshed. Others are thicker, insulated collars that come with freezer-friendly inserts or can be frozen themselves. Cooling bandanas are more suited for short-haired dog breeds, while the latter is more intended for dogs with thicker coats. There are also vests, wraps, and robes all designed to help dogs maintain a stable body temperature.
Here’s another product ideal for long car rides and road trips: cooling towels. These items work a bit differently than pads and mats in that they don’t rely on pressure-activated gels. Instead, they rely on a hyper-evaporative material that retains water but doesn’t feel wet to the touch. These offer more flexibility than pads in that you can spread them over a wider surface area, like your car’s backseat. Cooling towels could offer comfort and relief before and after hikes, long walks, or other outdoor activities.
Additional Ways to Help Your Dog Beat the Heat
When it comes to preventing heatstroke and prioritizing hydration, nothing beats providing fresh, clean water. Always make it a priority to pack enough water when planning outdoor excursions, and monitor your dog for laborious panting, excessive drooling, and other signs of dehydration. In days of extreme, dangerously hot weather, only take your dogs out very early in the morning or out after dusk.
In many cases, it’s easier for a dog to overheat than it is for them to cool down! Remember that dogs get hot faster because their feet are in direct contact with the hot pavement, so their paws and pads need attention as well.
Any time a dog may be experiencing signs of overheating, stop all activity, and take steps to cool them down immediately. Be sure to get take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
With your help, you can ensure your dog doesn’t miss out on a minute of activity and stays safe all the while.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.