What are dog cooling mats?
Dog cooling mats are one of the best summer cooling products for dogs to keep cool. They come in various sizes and materials to suits all dogs. Dog cooling mats are very simple to use and are effective for hot days. They are great to help your dog maintain a stable body temperature and help prevent your dog from getting heat stroke.
Types of dog cooling mats
- Gel pressure activated cooling mats
- Water cooling mats
- Foam cooling mats
How do dog cooling mats work?
All three cooling mats work in different applications.
Gel pressure activated dog cooling mats have a specific ingredient in the gel which will absorb heat once activated. This allows the dog to cool at a slow and safe rate while on the mat. The mat stays at room temperature when not in use and will start cooling once pressure is applied. Proven to be the easiest and most effective cooling mats.
The water-based dog cooling mats are made primarily of water designed to go into the fridge to cool. The mat only needs to be in the fridge for 20-30 minutes then put out for your dog to lay on. Enough to feel a light chill in the mats. There is no reason you need to put the mat in the freezer unless it has individual freezer packs which then go into an insulated cover. It is unsafe for your dog to lay on a frozen mat as it is too cold for them. This will drop their body temperature to quickly and may make them ill. The water-cooling mats are less popular as they require more preparation. Nevertheless, they are still effective.
The foam mats are like your standard dog bed. A solid piece of foam in a fabric cover. The foams a light material made from polystyrene. Polystyrene is a thermal resistance material which has millions of small air bubbles that allows constant air flow through the foam. This reduces the body heat produced between the body and the mat. The foam cooling mats are the simplest although the least effective cooling mats.
How long do dog cooling mats stay cool for?
If you are using a gel filled mat or a water filled mat, they both will last approximately 3-4 hours. If your dog has not cooled down after 30 minutes you must seek alternate methods to cooling your dog as they will be at risk of heat stroke if left any longer.
Are dog cooling mats poisons if busted open?
The mats are designed differently, with different products. The mats will have product safety label on the boxes which should always be read prior to use. However, If there is a chance your dog does bust open a mat open and ingest the ingredients inside you should treat it as they are poisonous. Contact your local veterinarian immediately.
If there are signs of damage on the mat, its recommended to remove the mat from your dog and replace it. It is best practice to keep the dog cooling mat in a communal area. This allows you to keep an eye on the mat, making sure there are no issues or damage to the mat while in use.
Should I get a dog cooling mat?
Dog cooling mats provide all round benefits to your dog. There are many varieties on the market to purchase which suit all budgets, breeds and applications. The all have there own pros and cons, it just depends how you plan to use your mat.
- The gel and water mats are easy to clean, simply wipe them off.
- All very easy to use.
- Prove health benefits to dogs on hot days including benefits for dogs who suffer from arthritis
- Foam mats are multi purpose, used as a full-time bed as well as a cooling tool