Self-Cooling Pet Mat for Dogs

Dogs cannot sweat through their skin, so they shed heat through panting and through contact with cooler surfaces. That is why a dog will abandon a bed for a tiled floor in July. A cooling mat gives them that cooler surface where they actually want to lie.

This type uses a pressure-activated gel that absorbs body heat on contact and releases it back into the air once the dog moves off, so it needs no electricity, no water and no time in the freezer. It works in a crate, in the trunk of a car, under a garden table or on top of an existing bed.

A cooling mat helps, but it is not a treatment for overheating. Shade, fresh water and avoiding exercise in the hottest part of the day matter far more. Heatstroke in dogs is an emergency: heavy panting, drooling, unsteadiness or collapse mean you should contact a vet immediately. Check the mat regularly for punctures and stop using it if the surface is damaged.

• Pressure-activated gel, no power, water or freezing needed
• Recharges itself once the dog moves off
• Works in crates, cars, gardens and on existing beds
• Not a substitute for shade, water and avoiding midday heat
• Contact a vet immediately if you suspect heatstroke