The heat of summer is here! If you have a dog with thick fur like my golden retrievers; their fur coats are like warm blankets under the sun. A dog cooling mat can help keep your furry friend cool. In this post, I’ll share whether a dog cooling mat is worth it to keep your pup cool in the summer months. I’ll also share the benefits, types of dog cooling mats, and the factors you should consider before buying one. Finally, I will feature and review the Rywell self-cooling mat for dogs that I purchased from Amazon.
This is my dog KENZO after his 100-yard Fast CAT run of 9.49 seconds. It was a hot day and his temperature must have risen because of this intense running. I made sure to give him water, a shaded place to rest, and a Rywell self-cooling dog mat to lay on.
What is a Dog Cooling Mat?
A dog cooling mat is a purpose-designed mat that uses cooling technologies. A cooling mat for your dog to lie on and help regulate their body temperature to prevent overheating.
As I mentioned above, if you have a dog with thick fur, this type of cooling mat helps the dog cool down from the heat and relaxes a dog after an energetic fun game.
Benefits of a Dog Cooling Mat
A dog cooling mat offers these benefits for your dog:
1. Safety in Hot Weather
On hot days, it’s important to keep your dog cool to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
If you have a large breed dog like a golden retriever that is prone to heatstroke, a dog cooling mat is essential to help maintain a safe body temperature.
2. Comfortable Rest Area
A cooling mat can provide your dog with a safe soothing cool place to rest and lie down especially in hot weather.
3. Senior Dog Health
A cooling mat can ease discomfort for an older dog with joint pain. Also, the cooling effect of the mat relieves and reduces inflammation.
Different Types of Cooling Mats for Dogs
1. Gel-based Cooling Mats is filled with a special non-toxic gel.
2. Water Filled Mats must be filled with water.
3. Textile-Based Mats use special advanced cooling fabric materials.
What to Look for When Buying a Dog Cooling Mat?
1. Right Type of Material
– Technology Used
– Durability and Safety
If your dog is a chewer, it’s important to check the materials for non-toxic ones. Durability is also important to ensure that the mat resists wear and tear.
2. Bottom Material
An anti-slip bottom is an important feature of a cooling mat to keep it in place and ensure a secure feeling for your dog.
3. Size
Cooling mats are made in different sizes and can accommodate large dogs. It’s important to choose the right size for your dog’s breed. Sometimes, it may be worth getting a smaller mat for road trips and a larger one for home use.
4. Price
Cooling mats for dogs can vary in price and can be expensive. it is important to compare all the features and dog owner reviews. From my experience, sometimes, an expensive cooling mat does not mean that it is good and your dog will enjoy lying on it. So, it is important to check all the features.
5. Cleaning
Easy cleaning after use is very important. Gel mats, for example, usually require a simple wipe down, whereas water mats may require more thorough drying to prevent mold, and a fabric cooling mat needs to be washed in a washing machine.
How Do Cooling Mats Work?
What Dog Cooling Mat Should I Buy For My Golden Retrievers?
I bought my dogs a Rywell dog cooling mat. This is the third cooling mat I have purchased for my golden retrievers, and so far they love it. First and foremost, there are no issues and no lure needed for my dogs to sit or lay on the mat, unlike other cooling mats I’ve bought before. I chose the Rywell cooling mat because it is made of fabric.
5 Things I Love About the Rywell Dog Cooling Mat
1. Arc-Chill Cooling Fabric
One reason I decided to get the Rywell cooling mat is because of the Arc-Chill cooling fabric from Japan.
This Arc-Chill cooling fabric is supposed to lower the apparent temperature 4-6°F to protect your dog from overheating and dehydration on hot days.
2. Safe Non-Toxic Materials
Since it’s a fabric cooling mat, I don’t have to worry about gel or water leaking. I also feel safe that my dog will be relaxing on a cooling mat made of non-toxic, non-irritating fibers and free of harmful chemicals.
3. Visual Heat Absorption and Color Change
You know the mat is cooling your dog when the Arc-Chill cooling mat changes color from deep blue to light blue (sometimes white).
Typically, when your dog’s temperature is around 95 F, the color of the cooling mat will lighten as it absorbs heat and then return to a blue color as it cools.
This is a cool and useful feature. At a recent dog sports event, I brought the Rywell cooling mat and witnessed the amazing heat absorption and cooling process in action. From the video below, I was happy and relieved that the cooling mat helped KENZO. He was comfortable, relaxed, and able to carry on happily.
4. Anti-Slip and Lightweight
Having anti-slip is very important and an indispensable feature. I am glad that the Rywell cooling mat has this anti-slip backing benefit.
Rywell is lightweight and thicker compared to other cooling mats. So, it’s quite ‘puffy’ when folded, taking up most of the space in our travel backpack. However, we were able to use the ‘split’ space in between.
It is very useful to pack a cooling mast on our trips and dog events.
5. Size of Accommodation and Usability
I bought the Rywell Arc-Chill cooling mat in size XL which is recommended for large dogs like my golden retrievers. My goldens weigh about 70+ lbs, and lying on the mat is just the right length for them. However, I wish the mat was a bit longer or wider and could accommodate my golden retriever dogs.
If you have a small to medium breed dog, I recommend going up a size for a roomier feel especially when your dog lies down.
Because this cooling mat is light, it can be moved and used in many ways; such as crate mats, car seat mats, and basically any of your dog’s favorite resting places (indoors or outdoors).
My dogs come with me to work, and even with air conditioning, they don’t find the carpet comfortable for sleeping. So, I brought the Rywell cooling mat and they really liked it.
6. Easy Maintenance
As I mentioned, one of the main reasons I decided to buy the Rywell cooling mat was because of the fabric material. I love that you can machine wash it (in cold water). I have washed and dried it, and it has retained its original shape and functionality.
For easy cleaning, this cooling mat is waterproof. It is easy to wipe off any dirt after use.
7. Excellent Value for Price
A Rywell cooling mat is a great dog product to invest in, especially for your dog’s health.
Remember: Rywell cooling mats are priced based on mat size.
The Rywell Arc-Chill cooling mat is available on Amazon. If you’re interested in buying one for your dog, you can save 10% by using the code “GoldenWoofs”.
Is A Dog Cooling Mat Worth It?
Yes, it’s worth investing in a dog cooling mat like the Rywell Arc-Chill cooling mat. Indeed, a dog cooling mat helps your dog stay cool, especially in the summer months.
As I discussed, there are different types of dog cooling mats, choose the one that best suits your dog’s needs and prioritize their comfort level.
I have tried all these types of cooling mats for my golden retrievers, and I am happy that I finally bought one that they really like to rest and lie on.
Remember, as a dog parent, investing in a good quality dog cooling mat will help your dog’s health and well-being, not just for hot summer days.