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Many dogs, including my own, love to lay outside and get some fresh air even on a hot day. But it is important to ensure that they do not overheat. I set out to find the best dog cooling mats and pads to help my dogs beat the heat when the temperature rises, whether they’re in the backyard, their crates, or road tripping.
I tested five of the most popular cooling mats with my dogs at my home in the Pacific Northwest during a heat wave, with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. My two senior hounds sometimes struggle with the heat — my nearly 15-year-old beagle mix, Sherman, and Walter, my 9-year-old dachshund. My favorite is the K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III, which you fill with water to create a long-lasting cooling effect. It has a foam core for added comfort.
As with any mat or bed, you should supervise your dog the first few times they use one of these. Cooling mats can be filled with water or a non-toxic heat-absorbing gel. said Dr. Krista Miller, a veterinarian also known as Dope Black Vet on YouTube, that it’s important to make sure your dog doesn’t ingest the gel’s contents, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and potential allergic reactions. While you may think that a cooling pad can be used in direct sunlight, you cannot leave these mats out in the sun as this will reduce their performance.
Read more about how Insider Reviews reviews and evaluates pet products.
Our top picks for the best dog cooling mats and pads
Best overall: K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III – View on Amazon
Best for travel: Green Pet Cool Pet Pad – See Chewy
Best for large dogs: Arf Pets Self-Cooling Solid Gel Pad – See Chewy
Best overall
The K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III is great for indoor and outdoor use in temperatures up to 95 degrees. When placed in the shade, it stays at ambient air temperature, keeping the bed cooler than a dog’s normal body temperature of 99.5 to 102.5 degrees. My dogs and I love this cooling pad the most because the foam core and water provide extra cushioning and support just like the best dog bed.
To set up the bed, you need to remove the cap from the bottom spout, fill it with the recommended amount of water, replace the cap, then adjust the pad’s air valve. When filled with water, the bed measures about 1.5 inches high. You can move it around, but you have to hold it carefully. The manufacturer’s directions explain how to lift it — most importantly, you shouldn’t pick it up at the corners because the foam core can bunch up.
The unique foam core of the K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III combined with water provides a long-lasting cooling effect. Christy Caplan/Business Insider
My dogs often hang out in the kitchen, so whenever I turn off the air conditioner and open the sliding door, I put it on the floor for them. The bed performed well on the kitchen tile and outside in the shade. When filled with water, it is quite heavy, so there is no chance of it slipping on smooth surfaces. The nylon/vinyl cover is soft, and the water distributes evenly throughout the pad so dogs can balance comfortably. Make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed short so they don’t tear the cover if they like to dig before lying down.
If you travel with this mat, you will need to drain the water to make it lighter and more portable. I used a wet towel to clean it and let it air dry on the balcony. The cover is also resistant to mold and mildew.
Best for travel
The Green Pet Cool Pet Pad contains a patented pressure-activated gel that absorbs a dog’s body heat to keep them cool for up to three hours. Since this thin mat is divided into sections, you can easily fold it up for travel and storage. Plus, it’s available in a variety of sizes to fit most dogs and crates, including a very small size for toy breeds.
The brand recommends using it indoors and out of direct sunlight. I tried it inside and outside in the shade. Outside, it still helped keep my dogs cool. I took it on a camping trip, where it stayed cool the entire time my dog laid in it.
The best dog cooling mats and pads for travel are lightweight and easy to carry, like this one from Green Pet. Christy Caplan/Business Insider
The nylon mat cover is very soft but also quite smooth. If your dog runs across it, it can easily slide out from under them. Therefore, I recommend placing it on a softer surface where it won’t slip.
The mat is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. A machine-washable cover is also available for purchase, but I did not test it for this guide.
Best for large dogs
The Arf Pets Pad uses gel technology similar to The Green Pet Shop mat, which absorbs a dog’s body heat to keep them cool for up to three hours. In testing, both mats have the same cooling and recharging capabilities. However, the Arf Pets Pad is the clear winner for this category because it’s available in a 33-by-55-inch size that no other brand I’ve tried offers. It’s also half an inch thick, with a little more cushion than the thinner Green Pet mat.
Most of the best dog cooling mats are too small for giant breeds, but the Arf Pets Pad is an exception. Christy Caplan/Business Insider
I used this mat in one of my dog’s crates on about a three hour car ride. The mat was still cold at the end of our trip. I also tried it on the floor in my kitchen, which is next to an outdoor deck. Usually, my dogs come in from the deck and immediately lie down on the cold tile floor. When the mat is on the floor, they often choose it over cool tiles.
The vinyl cover is stain resistant. The manufacturer says to wipe the mat with warm soap and water. I used a wet cloth to remove the dirt left on my dog’s paws. The material is very soft, so you need to keep your dog’s nails well groomed. Dogs that like to dig in their beds can accidentally tear this pad if not supervised.
How we tested the best dog cooling mats and pads
I checked that each mat would fit inside a standard sized dog crate. Christine Caplan/Insider
The best dog cooling mats and pads in this guide are provided as samples of editorial reviews by their manufacturers. Each mat I tested was tested for at least one month and evaluated according to the following criteria.
Keeping dogs cool on hot days: The most important test is how long each pad stays cool in a hot environment either indoors or outdoors. I left the mats in the shade for an hour, then checked to see how cool they were. After bringing them indoors, I also checked them every 15 minutes to determine how long it took each to recharge.
Material and weathering outside in the shade: I’ve reviewed the best cooling mats and pads based on the durability of their materials and whether or not they hold up to dirt and dog claws.
Ease of cleaning: All mats come with manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. I washed each pad according to its instructions to see how easily it cleaned.
General comfort: All five mats tested were placed in the shade, and I let my dogs pick at them. Within a month, it was clear which mats they preferred when the temperature rose.
