What is a cooling mat for dogs?
Their bed ceases to be a refuge and an appropriate place to rest, and becomes a small pan on the fire. This is why they end up preferring hard floor tiles to mattresses.
However, we can give them a boost and provide a cool, comfortable place to rest if we have a cooling mat. This is one way to make your dog happy in the summer!
On the market, you can find the cooling mat for dogs also under other names: dog cooling mat, cooling dog beds, cooling pet pad, etc.
It is a rectangular mat-like element, whose interior is filled with a cooling gel that is activated, by its endothermic action, when the animal's body comes into contact. When the animal lies down on the mat, its own body heat causes the gel to start working.
The gel molecules break down and absorb the heat given off by the animal, gradually cooling down, which can lower your pet's temperature by 4 to 7 degrees!
Also, as we said, it happens gradually, not all at once, which could be very dangerous.
Cooling mat for dogs advantages
Dogs have a much harder time dealing with the heat than we do because they don't sweat like we do.
They only sweat through their paw pads and nose, and by panting they also regulate their body temperature. For this reason, this type of object is suitable as an aid.
With the cooling mat, you will help your dog better regulate his body temperature, but this is not the only advantage. Let's see the others!
- You'll be giving your pet a comfortable, cool place to be. At least it will be something softer than tile. Also, these mats are not rigid, so you can place them over a normal dog bed or mattress, and the resting place is softer.
- This will help your dog avoid a possible heat stroke.
- You don't need to do anything to cool it down, it does its job by itself!
Characteristics of the cooling mat for dogs
You can find the cooling mat for dogs in different sizes. This will help you choose the one that best suits the characteristics of your furry friend.
As we said before, its interior is filled with a cooling gel that is not toxic. We know that some dogs are quite destructive, so in the case of biting the external material, the gel will not cause any damage to the animal.
However, it is not healthy for him to ingest it, so at the slightest suspicion, it is best to remove it.
These mats are usually covered with polyester or nylon fabric with a PVC lining, but they can also be made of another resistant material.
The color and design depend on the carpet, which can be variable, although the blues stand out.
Most of them are waterproof and very easy to clean, which is ideal if the dog comes in dirty from the street and lies on them. Simply wipe them with a damp cloth to remove the dirt (do not put them in the washing machine).
Finally, since they are not rigid, they can be folded easily to be stored comfortably or fit in your pet's bed, as we said before.
Read also: Why Does My Dog Chew Up His Bed (How To Stop It)
The cooling effect of the cooling mat for dogs does not last forever, but it is recoverable.
It should be noted that the effect of the cold does not last forever. After a few hours, the cold will stop working and it will take about 20 minutes for the inner gel molecules to recompose.
Once it has been reassembled, it will be ready for use as usual.
It is therefore advisable to have two cooling mats for dogs, so that they can be exchanged while one of them is recovering its properties.
However, it should be noted that they should not be placed in the sun. In addition to heating its surface, the dog would lie down, but it would also absorb heat from the environment, so its effect would be much weaker. They should always be placed in the shade.
A final recommendation is to keep it away from sharp objects. In this sense, and since these cooling mats can also be used by cats, we recommend that you keep an eye on your feline when using it so that he doesn't scratch or break it.