Best Cooling Mats for Dogs

As soon as a heatwave is announced or summer finally arrives, we don’t just worry about ourselves but our dogs too. It’s much easier for us to throw on shorts and a T-shirt, sit directly in front of a fan and complain about how hot we are. But for our dogs, they’re stuck with the same fleecy coat they’ve always had and only the slightly cooler kitchen tiles to rely on.

And as we know, some dogs simply struggle with the heat far more than others. Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs can overheat incredibly quickly while thicker-coated dogs often end up sprawled across every cold surface, panting for their lives, just to try to stay comfortable.

But thankfully cooling mats for dogs have become one of the easiest ways to help with this. They give dogs somewhere cooler to properly relax without needing a hose pipe bath every 5 minutes or every fan in the house pointed directly at them.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the best cooling mats for dogs out there and explain how they work, which types suit different pups best and what’s truly worth buying before the next weather warning hits.

If you’ve already started panic-buying fans and filling up the ice cube trays in your freezer just to add to your dog’s water bowl, these are the dog cooling mats we think are worth your attention this summer.

Best for: Everyday cooling and larger dogs

Best for: Budget-conscious pet owners and everyday summer use

Best for: Longer-lasting cooling and really hot weather

Best for: Small to medium breeds and dogs that prefer softer, less plasticky surfaces

Best for: Longer cooling sessions and outdoor use

Best for: Outdoor relaxation and very hot weather

A cooling mat works by helping draw heat away from your dog’s body, giving them somewhere cooler to lie when warm weather starts becoming a bit too much. Most dogs naturally search for colder surfaces anyway in the summer, which is why you’ll often find them lying beside the door where there’s a slight breeze or on the hardwood floors where it’s a touch cooler.

The most common cooling mats are pressure-activated gel mats that contain a cooling gel inside that reacts once your dog lies down on it. Once your dog gets up, the mat slowly cools itself back down again ready for the next nap. They’re popular because they’re simple to use and don’t need any preparation beforehand.

Water-filled cooling mats work slightly differently as these need to be filled manually using cold water. These often stay cooler for longer during very hot weather, but they can do get heavier and bulkier than gel mats since they carry water inside.

Evaporative cooling mats are another option and require soaking in water before use. As the water gradually evaporates, it creates a cooling effect over several hours, similar to how we cool down after getting out of a swimming pool on a hot day.

It’s worth noting, as obvious as it may sound, that dog cooling mats aren’t designed to replace shade, fresh water or keeping your dog out of extreme heat. But they can make a huge difference when it comes to helping dogs relax more comfortably during warmer weather.

Most dog cooling mats don’t actually need to go in the fridge at all, and thank god, because space in there is limited already! Thankfully, most self-cooling gel mats are designed to activate once your dog lies down on them, so they naturally start creating a cooler surface without you needing to do anything but lay it flat on the ground for your dog to lie on.

Some mats can be placed in the fridge for a short time before use during very hot weather, but it’s always worth checking the manufacturer’s instructions first. Freezers are usually best avoided unless the brand specifically says it’s safe, as freezing temperatures can damage the gel inside certain cooling mats and affect how well they work afterwards.

It’s also worth knowing that fridge cooling only lasts temporarily anyway. Once the mat warms back up to room temperature, it simply returns to functioning normally. For most cooling mats for dogs, keeping them in a shaded room away from direct sunlight is more than enough to help them stay cool and work properly.

If you’ve been researching cooling mats for dogs, you’ve probably also come across cooling vests too. While both are designed to help dogs stay cooler during warmer weather, they’re useful in slightly different situations.

Cooling mats are mainly designed for resting and relaxing, giving your dog somewhere cooler to lie down indoors or in garden shade. Most dogs naturally seek out colder surfaces anyway during hot weather, so cooling mats simply give them a cosier place to settle.

Cooling vests are designed more for movement and outdoor activity. Most use evaporative cooling, where the vest is soaked in water beforehand and gradually cools your dog as the water slowly evaporates. They’re usually most helpful during walks, hikes, road trips or hotter days where your dog still needs to be active outdoors.

A lot of dogs actually benefit from both. A cooling vest can help stop them overheating while they’re out and about, while a cooling mat gives them somewhere comfortable to recover afterwards once they’re back home. But it really comes down to your dog and your routine. Some dogs only need a cooler place to sleep indoors during heatwaves, while others, especially flat-faced breeds or thicker-coated dogs, may need extra cooling support during outdoor activity too.

Just remember that neither cooling vests or cooling mats are a replacement for keeping your pup cool and hydrated with regular water stops. Make sure they always have access to clean and fresh water, and if you're out and about, make sure to have a travel dog water bottle with you.

For dogs spending more time indoors during the hottest parts of the day, enrichment toys and frozen treats can help too. Freezing dog-safe fruit, natural yoghurt or a little peanut butter inside enrichment toys or lick mats gives dogs something mentally stimulating to focus on while also helping them cool down a bit, almost like giving your dog their own version of an ice lolly.

Most cooling mats for dogs made by reputable brands are designed using non-toxic materials and are perfectly safe for normal everyday use. The cooling gel inside self-cooling mats is usually sealed securely within multiple layers, so under normal conditions there shouldn’t be any risk to your dog simply lying on the mat.

The main thing to watch for is damage caused by chewing or punctures. If a cooling mat becomes torn or starts leaking, stop using it straight away and replace it, especially if your dog is likely to lick or chew the contents. This is also why it’s worth avoiding very cheap unknown brands where material quality can sometimes be questionable. Like most dog products, a little supervision is necessary, particularly with puppies or dogs that treat absolutely everything in the house like a chew toy.

In most cases, yes, dogs can sleep on cooling mats overnight during warmer weather. Most dogs will naturally move on and off the mat throughout the night depending on how cool they feel, a bit like how they constantly rotate between the bed and the floor even during normal temperatures.

Cooling mats can really help dogs stay comfortable during heatwaves and warmer nights, especially breeds that struggle more in higher temperatures. Just remember they’re there to support your dog rather than replace the basics like fresh water, shade and proper airflow around the house.

It’s also worth keeping a closer eye on puppies and heavy chewers. If your dog is still teething or tends to destroy bedding and toys for fun, cooling mats should only be used under supervision to avoid the risk of any damage or leaks.

Cooling mats usually only come out for a few months of the year, so storing them properly is a must for keeping them in good condition ready for next summer. Before putting one away, wipe it down and make sure it’s fully dry first. Packing a cooling mat away while it’s still damp can leave you with mould and strange smells that no one wants filling their living room.

It’s also best not to fold cooling mats too tightly, especially gel or water-filled designs, as repeated sharp folds can weaken the inner layers over time and increase the risk of punctures or leaks. If possible, store them flat or loosely rolled somewhere cool and dry away from direct sunlight or very hot rooms. Before using the mat again after storage, give it a quick once-over for any damage or weak spots just to make sure it still looks in good shape.

It’s one thing trying to keep ourselves cool during summer, but making sure our dogs stay safe and cool during high temperatures is a whole different challenge. Being a dog parent isn’t always easy like that, and as much as we’d all love to shave every fluffy breed down and attach a tiny air con unit to their back for the day, sadly it doesn’t quite work that way.

Some dogs cope with warmer weather much better than others, but for dogs that struggle with the heat, cooling mats can give them somewhere far more comfortable to switch off and rest. Whether it’s a pressure-activated gel mat, a water-filled cooling mat or some other form of dog cooling accessory for walks and travel, finding what works best for your dog will make your summer all the easier.

Here at WOOOF, we stock some of the best cooling mats for dogs alongside plenty of other summer dog essentials designed to help keep your pup cooler and less likely to abandon their comfy bed for the sake of the hard kitchen floor tiles.

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