How to Choose the Best Dog Cooling Mat (& 3 Top-Rated Picks)

This past summer, I learned that my dogs figured out how to stay cool… by digging into the soil until they hit cooler ground. Now I’ve got a muddy patch in the garden that’ll need repairing in spring, but it got me thinking about better ways to help them cool off – like dog cooling mats.

Not just any mat though. My quest was to do a deep dive to uncover what the best dog cooling mats are (out of all of the options available), the typical longevity, and what (if any) risks there are to each type.  

Once you know what type suits your dog, there are a few practical details to keep in mind before buying.

The 3 Types of Dog Cooling Mats

Technically, there are 4 types but for the purposes of engineered dog cooling mats, only 3 matter. 

Gel-based cooling mats

Gel-based dog cooling mats work by using a water-based gel that absorbs and holds heat from the dog’s body, offering a cool resting surface that helps regulate body temperature in hot weather safely and without electricity. The gel is mostly water mixed with substances like polyacrylamide, alginic acid, and carboxymethyl cellulose, which turn the water into a soft, thick gel that effectively absorbs heat. 

Water-based cooling mats

Water-based cooling mats are usually made with a non-porous fabric like nylon or a durable plastic outer shell to prevent punctures. Inside, it’s just water, and it can be refrigerated (or even frozen) to enhance its effectiveness. Rather than one big container, water-based cooling mats for dogs usually consist of multiple smaller compartments. A bit like an ice cube tray. 

Phase Change Material (PCM) cooling mats

PCMs typically fall into three categories: organic (like paraffin or fatty acids), inorganic (such as hydrated salts), and eutectic mixtures. Organic PCMs like paraffin are common in cooling products because they are non-toxic and have a high heat storage capacity tailored for comfortable temperatures.  PCMs are encapsulated inside the mat material in either a gel-like or compartmentalised form. They are activated by the pressure and heat of a dog’s body. After use, the mats need to be cooled (e.g., placed in a fridge or cool shade) to solidify the PCM and restore its cooling capacity. 

An Alternative is a Raised Dog Bed with a Mesh Fabric

A 4th type is an elevated dog bed. It takes advantage of increased air flow, essentially creating a cooling draft/breeze under the bed, contributing to cooling the dog down. The caveat is that it’s not going to work on breezeless days, unless you set up an oscillating fan near it. 

Personally, I think these give great value for money as they are among the best settle mats for dogs too. It’s easier for the dog to learn that 4 paws on a raised bed gets a reward, rather than trying to teach the place command on a flat surface. You could actually use one of these for cooling in the summer and as a settle mat all year. I digress though…

The Best Gel, Water, and PCM Dog Cooling Mats

1. The Green Pet Shop Original Gel Cooling Mat

• Cooling time: 3 to 4 hours with a 15 to 20 minute recharge time
• Weight limit: 45 Pounds / 20 Kg
• Material: Nylon (machine-washable polyester cover available separately) 
• Best for: indoor use, such as in a home, at dog shows or competitions, and for indoor napping or resting. 
• Not for: Outdoor use in direct sunlight, which degrades its cooling performance.

This is the first patented gel-based cooling mat for pets. Being patented, there’s a document that lays out how this is designed, what’s in it, and how it works. 

The proprietary formula is a combination of carboxmethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, alginic acid, and water. All organic, but it sets doubt on the “non-toxic” claim because of the use of “polyacrylamide”. 

In light of incidents that led to a pet advisory warning being issued, studies were done to gain clarity on potential health hazards around gel-based cooling mats containing polymers. 

The essence is, it’s relatively safe in small enough quantities. As such, this is best for dogs who don’t chew things. For the calm dogs that will use this as intended, The Green Pet Shop’s cooling mat is the most established and trusted brand for a gel-based formula that works. 

… In the house, the garden, the car, or even a motorhome, or caravan, it’s the simplest cooling solution because it’s just ready when you need it. And it only takes up to 20 minutes for the gel to reset. Pop it in the shade, have your dog go indoors, or into a cool spot while the mat resets. 

For heavier dogs, the Disney Stitch version has the highest upper weight limit of 80 lbs / 36 kgs. 

Check the Green Pet Shop Store on Amazon to See All Available Sizes 

2. CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat

• Cooling time: Up to 4 hours, 5 hours is possible when used in shade
• Weight limit: 90 Pounds / 40 kg using the 4 pack of mats connected modularly
• Material: Polyester or Nylon cover with a foam filler insert
• Best for: Indoors, car travel, outdoor use, post-exercise, park, beach, and you can buy spare ice sheet refills, pack in a cool box for a longer day hike.
• Not for: High humidity environments: in a humid environment, condensation is more likely to form on the surface of the mat. This can cause the mat and surrounding areas, such as a dog’s crate, to become wet and cold. It’s recommended to use only one mat in a crate so that the dog can move off the mat if it gets too cold. 

This is only water and it’s the only cooling mat that’s veterinary approved, likely because it’s only water that goes in it. What’s much more useful is the snap-fit design to make the mats modular (except the Mini version). One mat could be suited to a small dog, but connect several together, you could have a cooling mat big enough for a Great Dane.  

Inside each mat are 88 ice cubes in a sheet style, insulated with a thick inner liner of foam, and covered with a rip-stop fabric. The liner prevents condensation seeping through the fabric. 

When the ice defrosts, remove the sheet, re-freeze it, then slip it back into the mat. You can also buy refill sheets if you want to have spares ready to replace while the others re-freeze. Or even better, put them in a cool box for long car trips. 

Learn more about the CoolerDog Hydro Mat here. 

3. Ancol Dog Cooling Mat with Phase Change Material

• Cooling time: average of 3 hours
• Weight limit: 50 Pounds / 22.6 Kg
• Material: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Best for: medium breeds traveling (bootliner) or hiking backpack
• Not for: dogs that chew, as ingesting the gel inside this can cause gastrointestinal irritation, and the cover could cause a blockage.

Ancol’s a British brand that’s been around for decades and has a knack for transparency, which ultimately builds trust in their reputation. 

The breed recommendation for this is for “medium” –  most other brands are for small breeds. Likely because of the crystals and thinness of the materials. This is made with Polyvinyl Chloride, better known as PVC, so it’s durable, and easy to clean. 

The maximum weight recommendation is 50lbs, which is just over 22 kg. I consider our Staffies to be medium sized breeds and they’re around 25 kgs so this would be no good. If your dog weighs less, this would be the option to go for. 

Ancol is the only brand I know of to give explicit specifics on the type of dogs the mat is suitable for, and the upper weight limit it can handle, and the materials it’s made with. All other brands I’ve come across use the usual sales patter – suitable for all breeds, it’s totally infallible, so they don’t give a weight limit. 

Learn more about the Ancol Dog Cooling Mat with PCM here. 

How to Choose the Best Dog Cooling Mat: A Handy Buyer’s Guide

Choosing a dog cooling mat isn’t as simple as picking the one with the best reviews or biggest size. The right choice depends on your dog’s habits, weight, and where you plan to use it. Here’s what to look for before you buy.

1. The Cooling Method and Duration they Last

The method of cooling a mat uses impacts how long it lasts. Gel mats can give up to 4 hours of cooling, but are also the fastest to recharge, taking just 20 minutes. Faster if refrigerated. Water mats can give up to 5 hours of cooling, assuming it’s not in direct sunlight. But, once the ice is defrosted, it takes much longer to refreeze. You could use additional ice sheets for continuous use though. There’s also the issue of condensation in some mats, depending on the material used for the cover. 

PCM mats, being pressure-activated, last for several hours and like gel-based cooling mats, reset fast too. 

2. Durability and Safety 

Anything other than water-based cooling mats can have chemicals inside that can be dangerous to dogs. For chewers, the safest option is water-based cooling mats. For durability, the covers are best to be rip-stop, or nylon. Even for dogs that don’t chew, sharp claws can puncture thin material, leading to leakages. Cheaper mats can work fine for occasional indoor use, but they often use thinner PVC or lower-grade gel, which shortens lifespan and raises puncture risk. For daily or outdoor use, investing a bit more saves money long term.

3. Ease of Use and Cleaning

Most dog cooling mats are wipe clean, but there are some that are machine-washable. Others have removable covers, including some of the gel-based cooling pads. Check the brand page to see if covers are sold separately. Most come with a PVC-like fabric but there are some like the Green Pet Shop that have a polyester cover available separately. Ideal for dogs that tend to use it after a runaround, coming back with mucky paws.  

4. Size, Fit and Weight Limitations for Your Dog

Dog cooling mats come in various sizes, for several uses (such as in a crate, on the floor, or for outdoor use), and with different weight limitations. Most will state whether the mat is for small, medium, or large breeds. Pay little attention to that because what you really need to know is the maximum weight it can handle. Our Staffies lay together, and each weighs around 25kg. A mat for a medium breed (in the description of the Ancol cooling mat) lists the maximum weight as 22 kg. Despite the size being large enough, the weight limit of just one of our dogs would be too much for the mat so with two sharing it, the mat would probably spring a leak. Check these things to avoid disappointment. 

Wrapping things Up: 

Dog cooling mats can be considered essentials in the peak of summer. And as I found out, they can prevent the dog from digging the garden to get to cooler surfaces. They’re not all the same though. Gel-based cooling mats, and PCM-based mats are faster to recharge or reset and best when you need portability. Like a day at the beach, a long car journey, or a trip in a tourer or even a holiday. Water-based cooling mats rely on freezing or refrigerating water, making them better for at-home use only, preferably with spare ice sheet inserts. 

In all cases, assess the best type based on your dog’s behaviour. If you have a chewer, choose water-based cooling mats for safety. PCM and gel-based cooling mats for dogs are best used when you’re around to monitor them – In the garden, the crate (not overnight), or just around the house in general. 

For me, it’ll come down to whether I want something rugged for after our country walks, or packing for longer hikes,  or a simple gel mat for crate time. Either way, I’m glad I dug into the research, so when I finally buy one, it’ll be the right one.

To recap the best dog cooling mats: 

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