Dog Cooling Mats

Australian summers are hard on dogs. They cannot sweat the way we do, so they shed heat by panting and by finding whatever cool surface they can, which is usually your bathroom tiles.

A cooling mat gives them a better option: a flat, self chilling surface they can flop onto whenever they need to take the edge off.

How They Work and Where to Put Them

Most mats use a pressure activated gel that draws heat away as your dog lies on it, then recharges once they get up. No power, no freezer, no fuss. Others are water filled. Either way, placement matters more than people expect. Put the mat in the shade, on a hard floor rather than on top of a thick bed, and leave your dog free to get on and off it. Never force a dog to stay on a cooling surface, and never treat one as a substitute for shade and fresh water.

Sizing, Chewing and Cleaning

Your dog should be able to lie on their side with chest and belly in contact with the mat, so measure them stretched out rather than curled up. Supervise the first few uses, because a dog who chews through the cover and swallows gel needs a vet, not a wait and see. Wipe covers with a damp cloth, and choose a washable model if you have a heavy shedder or a muddy walker. Store it flat over winter so the filling does not crease.

Keeping the Whole Household Cool

Cooling mats really earn their keep in a breeding setup, where a pregnant or nursing bitch carries far more heat than usual. Set one up in her crate or beside the whelping box. On the worst days a shallow dog pool and a chilled bowl from the bowls and feeders range help too.

Beat the next heatwave. Explore the RPBA collection of dog cooling mats and find the right size for your dog's favourite spot.