Best cooling mats for dogs: keep your pets cool this summer

The United Kingdom is best known for sitting pretty under a near constant cover of cloud and rain.

Yet despite our reputation for inclement weather, we’ve been known to have some scorching summers. The summer of 2022 was the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching a whopping 40^oC in London.

As a country we’re not exactly built for keeping cool in near-tropical climates. What’s more, our pets aren’t used to hotter temperatures either – especially with a vast number of UK residents owning dog breeds like Huskies, Chow Chows and Samoyeds.

Alongside consistent grooming, cold baths and patio paddling pools, one particularly great way to keep your pup chilled during the summer months is by using a cool mat. Usually made from an innovative, non-toxic composition gel, cooling mats are activated when your pet sits on them. Think: those jiggly liquid ice packs that the school nurse would whack on a table to activate and make ice cold – just with less violence.

Electricity and battery free, cool mats are an incredibly popular choice for providing your pet with hours of relief during the hottest periods of a summer’s day. Cooling mats help to regulate your pup’s body temperature, prevent heat stroke and even help them sleep better throughout the day and during the night.

From standard, freezable cooling pads to self-cooling gel mats, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best cool mats for your furry friend this summer.

Best cool mats for dogs at a glance:

• Best for overall: Pecute Dog Cooling Mat Extra Large - £30.59, Amazon
• Best for tried and true: Rosewood Chillax Cool Pad Dog Blue Large - £34, Pets at Home
• Best for activated with cold water: PAJEE™ Pet Cat Dog Cooling Towel - £12.65, Amazon
• Best for fit for pawpose: Danish Design Cooling Mat for Dogs - £30.99, Waitrose
• Best for extra stylish: Rosewood Watermelon Pet Cooling Pad, Green/Pink - £15, John Lewis
• Best for additional padding: Simply Natural Pet Cooling Mat for Dogs - £21.99, Amazon
• Best for on the move: RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Vest - £94.95, Amazon

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Pecute Dog Cooling Mat Extra Large

Best for: overall

An Amazon best-seller with over 13,000 pawsitive reviews, this 100 per cent non-toxic and extra-large cooling mat will keep your pup cool as a cucumber all summer long. With no need for freezing, filling with water or plugging into a wall socket, this cool mat works by absorbing and redistributing your pet’s body temperature in order to produce an overall cooling effect.

Fabricated from five layers of advanced, spongy and waterproof fabrics, you’ll have no trouble getting your pal to lie down on this cool mat. Plus, if you’re worried about your doggo’s scratching, digging and chewing habits – the cooling pad is encased in 300D Oxford composite PVC material which is 0.4mm thick, waterproof, scratch-resistant, and wear-resistant.

Pop it on your living room floor, in the backseat of your car or even on your patio for endless hours of chilling.

Buy now £30.59, Amazon

Rosewood Chillax Cool Pad Dog Blue Large

Best for: tried and true

Another popular option for pet owners across the globe, the Rosewood Chillax Cool Pad is activated by weight or pressure – meaning that your pup will feel its instant cooling effect simply by perching their caboose on the mat. The mat provides up to four hours of chill time and will automatically recharge itself once your pup has had enough.

Perfect for the base of crates and dog beds, this is another fantastic low-maintenance option for keeping your pet cool in the summer. Bear in mind that Rosewood recommends keeping this mat out of direct sunlight, so it is better suited for indoor use only.

Buy now £34.00, Pets at Home

PAJEE™ Pet Cat Dog Cooling Towel 66 x 43cm

Best for: activated with cold water

A great way to provide an all-over, instant relief for your pet during warmer days, this cooling towel is suitable for both cats and dogs. Designed to stay up to 20 degrees cooler than a standard towel, simply soak the fabric in cold water and wring out the excess before placing over your pup. You can also pop it in the freezer while its dry for a more intense chill.

We’d recommend this product for owners with particularly aggressive chewers who can break through 99 per cent of gel-lined mats, as well as those with pets who have sensory issues and struggle to lie on plastic pads.

Buy now £12.65, Amazon

Danish Design Cooling Mat for Dogs

Best for: fit for pawpose

Use this self-cooling mattress on its own or as a topper on your precious pooch’s favourite bed – either way, instant relief is assured. Though this gel-lined model doesn’t have to be popped in the fridge or freezer in order to be activated, Danish Design recommends putting the mat in the freezer an hour or so before use for particularly hot dogs.

Buy now £30.99, Waitrose

Rosewood Watermelon Pet Cooling Pad, Green/Pink

Best for: extra stylish

This watermelon mat from Rosewood functions the exact same way as the Chillax model, it’s just a whole lot more stylish. Add this green and pink cooling pad to your basket if summertime aesthetics are important for you and your canine.

Buy now £15.00, John Lewis

Pet Cooling Mat for Dogs

Best for: additional padding

This mat also functions with innovative pressure-activated gel, and lots of it. Simply Natural claims to use far more gel padding in their mats than competitor brands, which not only keeps your pet cooler for longer – but also more comfortable. Portable, cruelty-free and tested with your fluffy pal’s safety in mind, this is a top pick for all dog owners.

Buy now £21.99, Amazon

RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Vest

Best for: on the move

Though not a cooling mat per se, if you and your pup are not ones for idle time even during the hotter months, the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler vest is set to be your new best friend – second only to your dog, of course. With SPF 50+ coverage, a heat-wicking outer layer and a cool mesh lining, this vest is designed for dogs on the move. To activate the ‘swamp cooler’ technology, simply dunk the vest in cool water before slipping it over your dog. The water will evaporate throughout the day, cooling your dog and the air around them in the process.

Buy now £94.95, Amazon