Best Cooling Pads for Dogs

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic

Do you want your pooch to be cool as a cucumber this summer? Here are the best cooling pads for dogs- we’ve featured a style, type, and size for every canine out there!

Dogs don’t sweat as their hooman pawrents do. Instead, they pant and produce a bit of sweat through their paws, but it’s not enough to make them cool off and feel comfortable in the summer heat. There are even some dog breeds are simply not accustomed to warmer climates and prefer cool temperatures- take Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute for example.

To make sure your furbaby stays comfy in the summer heat, get them a cooling pad. These nifty mats are usually filled with cooling gel or water and give your dog some much-needed refreshment. Here are 15 best cooling pads for dogs- from budget-friendly to X-Large, there’s a little something for everyone’s needs.

1. Editor’s Choice: K&H PET PRODUCTS Coolin’ Comfort Bed

Orthopedic and cooling to boot, this comfy pad will keep your pooch chill in the summer and help alleviate their joint pain. K&H PET PRODUCTS Coolin’ Comfort Bed is designed to provide full-body support and pressure relief which is key to reducing symptoms of issues such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. The foam core makes the bed comfortable to sleep on and ensures that there is no pressure on key stress points on the body, such as joints and hips. To provide that pleasant cooling experience, this innovative dog pad doesn’t use toxic gels or electricity. It’s just water you’ll need!

Simply pour water through the easy fill valve cap and that’s it- your pet now has a cool, cozy place to rest when the heat becomes unbearable. K&H PET PRODUCTS Coolin’ Comfort Bed comes in small, medium, and large size so there’s a match for most dog’s body types.

2. Runner Up: Arf Pets Pet Dog Self Cooling Mat Pad

Comfortable and durable, this solid-gel cooling mat won’t need any water, electricity or anything, really, to cool down your doggo. The gel that’s inside the nylon cushion will keep them cool for up to 3 hours before it needs to “recharge”. In other words, your pooch needs to get his but off it for a while until it becomes cool again. It measures in at 27 x 43 x 1 inches.

3. Best Basic: R RORA Pet Cooling Mat

Whether you need a cooling mat for your pet’s crate, as an additional layer in their bed, or as a form of cushioning between them and the cooling floor they seem to seek out in the summer, this simple but efficient design will do the trick. R RORA Pet Cooling Mat is made in 3 layers of cooling ice touch silk and high quality thin and breathable mesh to promote air circulation and maintain coolness no matter how long your pet lies on the mat. Easy to fold and carry around, this cooling mat is also a great option if you need something lightweight for your travels! It is also machine washable for easier cleanup.

R RORA Pet Cooling Mat boasts a cute polar bear print on a light blue background and comes in small, medium, and large size so any doggo can get cool in style.

4. Best for Outdoors: Hugs Pet Products Chillz Pressure Activated Pet Cooling Gel Pad

The self-cooling, pressure-activated pad comes in 3 sizes: medium, large, and X-large. It’s easy to fold and lightweight, so you can carry it with you when you travel and use it outdoors or indoors- the puncture-resistant cover fabric holds up well even with heavy duty use. In comes in medium, large, and extra-large sizes.

5. Best Reversible: AvantPet Reversible Pet Cooling Mat for Dogs

If you live in a warm climate or your dog is outside during the day in warmer temperatures, then a cooling pad is a must-have necessity to keep them comfortable. This reversible cooling pad from Avantpet is made with low viscosity cooling gel which means it has a higher thermal circulation that allows it to take your pet’s body heat and circulate it faster than other cooling mats. The gel is made from propylene glycol and carboxymethyl-cellulose. Both are safe ingredients that are either approved and used for certain uses as an indirect food additive in the U.S. and in Europe or used for food, pharmaceutical, and dentifrice (toothpaste) applications, respectively.

Not only will the Avantpet Cooling Mat keep your dog cool, but it also contains original phytoncide which is a substance emitted by plants and trees that give off the aroma of a forest. This can help reduce your pet’s stress and give them a comfortable place to sleep. The cover is made with microfiber fleece which is washable and easy to clean. You can even put it in the freezer to add an additional cooling feature without it freezing solid. It comes in sizes extra small to large for all pup breeds.

6. Best Non-Toxic: The Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Pet Pad X-Large

The company’s patented “green” pad uses a non-toxic gel formula to keep the mat cool enough for your pup. But the best part is that self-cooling pad comes in 5 different sizes to accommodate canines of all shapes and sizes. For instance, their X-Large mat will be a fit even for dogs that weigh 90 pounds or more.

7. Besting Cooling/Heating: CoolDog Reusable Ice Mat

Usually, the best things in life are simple. And you can’t get it more simple than relying on ice to keep cool in the summer heat. Freeze the mat and it will offer hours of refreshment to your pet. This reusable mat can also be used to keep pets warm in the winter- simply heat it in the microwave.

9. Best Washable: MeiLiMiYu Washable Dog Cooling Mat

Chances are that your pet will be spending A LOT of time on their new cooling pad, especially in the summer, so it goes without saying that it will get dirty really fast. This is why it’s important to get a dog cooling pad that is easy to clean, and the MeiLiMiYu Washable Dog Cooling Mat definitely fits the bill. Made from premium self-cooling fabric, this cooling pad will not just keep your pet’s nap time at an optimal temperature, but it is also fully machine washable to make sure no stray hair, dirt, or stains ruin your dog’s favorite snooze spot.

MeiLiMiYu Washable Dog Cooling Mat comes in pink, blue, grey, and coffee brown so you can get a shade that best suits your preferences. You can opt for the smaller (28” x 22”) size if you have a small breed dog or a puppy or go for the larger option (40” x 28”) in case you have a medium or a large breed dog.

10. Best for Seniors: Furhaven Orthopedic Cooling Gel Bed

If your pet is not a fan of sleeping on pads but you still want to help them stay cool in the dog days of summer, this orthopedic cooling gel bed is an excellent compromise. Furhaven Orthopedic Cooling Gel Bed combines orthopedic support, ergonomic comfort, and a cooling experience all into one! Thanks to the gel-infused memory foam top, the heat is dissipated away from your pet’s body, maintaining a cool sleeping surface no matter the room temperature. To boot, the sloping contoured form factor will support your pet’s spine and ensure that the pressure is relieved from their joints and hips while they snooze. Ideal if you have a senior pooch struggling with joint pain!

Fully machine washable, this versatile bed is easy to clean and durable. You can choose between 12 color options to match with your interior decor and 6 sizes to ensure your pooch can fit comfortably in their new bed no matter their breed. Furhaven Orthopedic Cooling Gel Bed is available in small, medium, large, giant, jumbo, and jumbo plus.

11. Best for Year-Round Use: Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft Cooling Pad

In case your pet stubbornly refuses to sleep anywhere besides their bed despite the evident fact that it’s too hot for them, this dual-purpose pet pad will help you make it comfier for them all year round. Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft Cooling Pad is a soft non-toxic gel pad that is to be refrigerated before being placed in your pet’s bed or preferred sleeping spot for lasting and refreshing coolness. Easy as that! Additionally, when the temperatures drop, the same pad can be used to keep your pupper warm- just microwave it instead of putting it in the refrigerator.

Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft Cooling Pad measures 12” by 12” and it’s an inch thick, so it will be enough for keeping a small breed dog cool in their bed- if you have a medium or a large breed dog, consider getting two (or a few) to really deliver that instant refreshment.

12. Best for Camping: Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad Mat

The cooling mat will stay 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by using self-cooling gel filling. The dimensions of the mat are 20 x 36 inches and it’s suitable for dogs that weigh up to 75 pounds.

13. Best for Travel: PetFusion Premium Pet Cooling Blanket

If you want something convenient and portable to keep your pooch cool even on the go, this is the one to go for. PetFusion Premium Pet Cooling Blanket features innovative cool-to-touch technology that utilizes materials such as PE cooling fabric to dissipate your pet’s body heat away from them and ensure maximum breathability. A versatile accessory, this blanket can be thrown over furniture or car seats as a form of protection from pet hair and to make sure that your dog is cool even during road trips or those Netflix marathons on the couch. And if you want to use it as a dog cooling pad, simply fold it over to get the thickness and comfort your pet needs when in a crate or lying on the floor.

PetFusion Premium Pet Cooling Blanket is machine washable and tumble dryable on low heat for absolute ease of maintenance. There are two colors to pick from, cool brown and cool grey, and 4 sizes to accommodate all dog shapes: small, medium, large, and extra large.

14. Best for Extreme Weather: CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat

For those doggos that really need some heavy-duty cooling off in the summer heat, a simple cooling mat won’t do- you need to bring in the “big guns”. Combining multiple sources of coolness, CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat is ideal for extreme heat and long summer days. This bed features a waterbed cushion, a FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet that holds 40 ice cubes and a thick layer of insulation to create a long-lasting cooling solution your pet will certainly appreciate. By relying on pure water to deliver coolness, this cooling mat ensures that there are no toxic gels or substances that could harm your pet.

The bed itself is made from ripstop material so it is very durable and rugged and the cover is machine washable. CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat measures 11.4” x 9.3” x 4.4” so it’s best suited to small dogs and puppies.

15. Best Therapeutic: Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel

When all that fetching and squirrel chasing takes its toll and your pet reaches his golden years, it’s highly likely that they will be affected by arthritis, hip dysplasia, or chronic joint pain and stiffness. Not only is it painful and uncomfortable, but these issues can seriously limit your pet’s mobility and can be seriously exacerbated with hot temperatures. Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel is designed to help soothe these symptoms, all the while keeping your pet cool as a cucumber. The secret of this therapeutic bed is in the Quad technology which combines four types of foam for unparalleled comfort and support: Pro-Charcoal HD foam base, Pet Rest Memory foam, Bio-Orthopedic foam, and the top layer which keeps everything cool is Cooling Energy Gel foam.

Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed with Cooling Gel is available in 5 modern color options to suit anyone’s taste and comes in small, medium, large, or extra large, so all senior puppers can sleep comfortably and pain-free.

Additional resources:

Why do I need dog cooling pads for my dog?

Specially designed to lower your pet’s temperature or keep it at an optimal level, dog cooling pads can make sure your pet is both safe and comfortable when it’s hot outside. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heat stroke are unfortunately common for dogs in the summer, so it’s up to you to make sure that they don’t overheat in high temperatures. Cooling dog pads are one of the most efficient and most convenient ways to regulate your pet’s body temperature- and make sure that they feel refreshed at all times.

What to consider when choosing dog cooling pads?

While they all have the same function- cooling off your pet- dog cooling pads come in different types and designs so you have to make sure that it will work for your dog’s individual needs. The first thing is to go for pet-safe materials and avoid dubious manufacturers that might be using toxic gels and similar substances to achieve the cooling effect. Some other important factors to consider are the size of the cooling pad, ease of maintenance (machine washable works best), and of course, the comfort factor.

How does a dog cooling pad work?

As there are different types of dog cooling mats, there are different ways of delivering that cooling freshness. The most common type uses pet-safe cooling gel that is activated by pressure so it cools as soon as your pet lies down. Other options include gels that are previously refrigerated, water-filled mats and cushions, cooling fabrics, or even cooling gel-infused foam. In any case, the process is the same- by lying on it, your pet cools down- it’s just the “mechanics” that vary.

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Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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