Dog cooling and heat mats
This aisle brings together the two ends of temperature control for dogs: pressure-activated cooling mats for warm weather and summer travel, and microwavable or electric heat pads for cold nights and older dogs who feel the chill. They work on opposite principles, so it's worth knowing which one actually suits the problem you're solving.
How cooling mats work
A gel-based cooling mat like the Kingdom Pet Self Cooling Mat uses pressure-activated cooling gel that draws heat away from a dog's body when they lie on it — no electricity, no freezing beforehand, it simply reactivates once weight is taken off it for a while. That makes it genuinely useful in a car, on a patio, or anywhere without a plug socket nearby.
For dogs travelling or exercising in heat, a Reflective Dog Cooling Vest works alongside a mat rather than replacing it, cooling the dog's core while they're moving rather than only when they're lying down. Neither substitutes for shade and water, which matter more than any product on a genuinely hot day.
Heat pads for cold weather
A microwavable pad like the Hotties Heat Pad Red Polka is heated in short bursts in the microwave and holds warmth for a few hours, which suits an older dog with stiff joints or a short-coated breed that struggles in cold conditions. They're a supplement to normal bedding rather than a dog's whole bed, placed under or beside a blanket rather than directly under a dog for a full night.
An Ice-Silk Cooling Bed with Pillow Bolster sits somewhere in between — a bed with a cooling surface fabric built in for milder warm days, useful for a dog that just runs generally hot rather than needing an actively cooling gel mat.
Matching the mat to the dog
Flat-faced breeds and dogs with thick double coats generally struggle more with heat and benefit most from a cooling mat during summer, while older, arthritic dogs and short-coated breeds tend to feel the cold more and get more use from a heat pad. A dog that's neither especially sensitive to heat nor cold may not need either — a normal comfortable bed is enough.
Always check a heat pad has cooled to a safe, warm-not-hot temperature before letting a dog lie directly on it, and never leave a dog unsupervised with an electric heat pad plugged in, since chewing through a cable is a real risk with some dogs.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Hotties Heat Pad Red Polka
A microwaveable heat pad for pets, with a washable, chew-resistant cover
£23.59
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
Breathable Pet Cooling Mat
A breathable cooling mat that draws heat away to keep dogs and cats comfortable on hot days.
From£11.99
Raised Cooling Mat Bed For Summer
A raised cooling mat with a refreshing ice-silk surface that helps your dog stay comfortable in hot weather. The cool, skin-friendly top and bolstered edges give a breezy, breathable place to rest.
From£11.99
Self-Cooling Summer Pet Mat
A pressure-activated cooling mat that helps dogs and cats stay comfortable in warm weather, with no need to freeze or refrigerate. Wipe-clean printed surface lies flat on floors, beds or crates.
From£13.99
Round Padded Pet Cooling Mat
A round cooling pad with a cushioned border and cool-touch gel centre for comfy summer lounging.
From£24.99
Quilted Cooling Pet Mat
A quilted cooling mat that gives dogs and cats a refreshing place to flop on hot days.
From£14.99
Cooling Summer Pet Mat
A pressure-activated gel cooling mat that keeps dogs and cats comfortable on hot days - no water or freezing needed. The cute printed surface wipes clean and suits beds, crates or a sunny windowsill.
From£19.99
Kingdom Cooling Mat Fruit
A 60cm self-cooling fruit-print mat for pets, activated by weight not electricity
£12.99
Kingdom Pet Self Cooling Mat
A 40 x 60cm self-cooling mat with no electricity, water or refrigeration needed
£8.99
Smart Choice Pet Cooling Mat
A 61 x 76cm pressure-activated cooling mat for pets, no water, ice or power needed
From£9.99
Pet Cooling Gel Mat
A self-cooling gel mat that keeps dogs and cats comfortable on warm days with no need to freeze or refrigerate. Wipe-clean surface that activates with your pet's body weight.
£19.99
Common questions
- How does a pressure-activated cooling mat work without electricity or freezing?
- The mat contains a gel that responds to pressure and body heat, drawing warmth away from the dog while they lie on it, then reactivating on its own once weight is lifted off for a while. There's nothing to plug in or freeze beforehand, which is what makes it practical for travel and outdoor use.
- Is a heat pad safe to leave with my dog unsupervised?
- A microwavable pad that's simply warm rather than plugged in is generally lower risk, but an electric heat pad should never be left with a dog unsupervised, since chewing through a cable is a genuine hazard with some dogs. Always check any pad has cooled to a comfortable, warm temperature before letting a dog lie on it.
- Do flat-faced dogs need a cooling mat more than other breeds?
- Yes, flat-faced breeds struggle to cool themselves as efficiently through panting and are more prone to overheating, so a cooling mat is genuinely useful for them during warm weather. It should sit alongside shade and water rather than replace either on a hot day.
- Can I use a cooling mat and heat pad for the same dog across the year?
- Yes, plenty of owners use a cooling mat in summer and switch to a heat pad in winter for the same dog, particularly an older dog that feels both extremes more than a younger one. They solve different problems, so there's no conflict in owning both.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.