What makes a hot dog uncomfortable indoors is less the air than the surface underneath them, which warms up and then stays warm for as long as they lie on it. A gel mat draws that heat away by contact instead. The pet lies down, the gel takes the warmth, and there is nothing to plug in, freeze overnight or fill with water first.

It is pressure-activated, which means it starts working when weight goes onto it and recovers by itself once your pet moves off, so it can stay out all summer with no routine attached to it. The printed surface wipes clean with a damp cloth. Five sizes are offered, 30x40cm, 40x50cm, 50x60cm, 60x90cm and 70x110cm, covering everything from a cat on a windowsill to a large dog stretched out in a crate.

• Pressure-activated gel, with no water or freezing needed
• Five sizes from 30x40cm up to 70x110cm
• Wipe-clean printed surface
• Suits both dogs and cats
• Fits a bed, a crate, a car seat or a windowsill

Cooling mats have limits, and one real risk. The gel recovers gradually, so a mat left in direct sun will not stay cold indefinitely. Keep it in the shade and let it rest between uses. If your dog chews things, do not leave them alone on it, because a punctured gel mat is both a mess and a hazard. Buy for your pet lying stretched out, since body length rather than weight decides the size.

What the options mean. Sold in sizes from 30x40cm to 70x110cm — £19.99 to £31.99.

Who it's for: Flat-faced breeds, thick-coated dogs and older pets who struggle through a British heatwave in a house with no air conditioning.