Cooling Mat for Cats
When it gets hot, cats look for ways to stay cool and cooling mats are a great option. They are especially helpful for protecting senior or overweight cats from overheating.
We live in the south and our cat Lottie loves to sit on the porch and watch the neighbors pass by. It can get pretty brutal out there, even in the shade, but she stays very comfortable when adding a cooling mat to her favorite chair.
Most cooling mats are marketed towards dogs, but they work for cats as well. We reviewed all of the cooling mats suitable for our feline friends, but they often have pictures of dogs on their marketing materials. So ignore those pictures and imagine your cat in cool, comfortable bliss.
Types of Cooling Mats for Cats
There are four types of Cooling Mats, and they all have their pros and cons.
Gel Mats
Gel mats are activated with your pet’s body weight. They stay cool for 2-3 hours. They recharge in about 30 minutes when the pet is off the mat. They are filled with non-toxic gel but can still cause some discomfort if the gel is ingested. They are easy to clean and do not require and refrigeration.
Water Mats
Water-based mats require you to freeze the mat and sometimes require you to fill it up with water. They can be a little heavy and hard to move around. If you are using them on a hardwood floor, you may want to add a layer of protection underneath the mat if there are leaks.
Crystal Mats
There are also cooling mats that are marketed as being crystal-based. They are actually made from ice silk fabric, and while they feel cool to the touch, they warm up quickly with the cat’s body temperature. These are for indoor use only. They do not have the cooling power to stand up to outdoor elements. They can be tossed in the washing machine since they are just fabric blankets.
Aluminum Mats
Aluminum Cooling Mats are made from Aluminum alloy. They fold out, and similar to sleeping on tile, provide a cool surface for your pet to sleep. However, they cannot be placed in the sun or near any heating element because they heat up quickly and can be dangerous. For that reason, we do not recommend any Aluminum options as a best cooling mat for cats.
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BEST COOLING MAT FOR CATS
BEST ALL-AROUND COOLING MAT FOR CATS
Color: Blue
Size: 19 x 35 inches
The Arf Cooling Mat is our favorite option. We have an extra-large one that we use on our back porch for all of our pets. This mat is everyone’s favorite place to cool off, from our 70lb German Shepard to our 7lb orange tabby. It has substantial cooling power without being high maintenance.
- Three Hours of Continuous Cooling
- Recharges in 12-20 minutes
- Easy to Clean – Wipe down with a wet rag
- Easy to fold and put away, but the larger the mat, the heavier it will be.
- There is some discrepancy in the marketing materials about Arf mats with solid or liquid gel. There is actually only one type of mat. They referred to it as solid at one time, and they now refer to it as a liquid, but it is the same mat.
- Like most gel mats, the cover can be punctured by aggressive scratchers.
PRO-TIP: Use a pillowcase to cover the cooling mat. It will protect the nylon cover from being punctured by claws.
BEST GEL MAT FOR ARTHRITIC CATS
Dogbed4less Gel Cooling Memory Foam Bed
The Dogbed4 less Gel Cooling Bed provides memory foam cushioning in addition to cooling down your cat. This mat is great if you have an arthritic cat or if your feline friend enjoys some extra cushioning. The bed has three parts: a center memory foam cooling pad, a waterproof cover, and a soft outer cover in various fabrics and colors.
This mat doesn’t have the cooling power of the other gel mats, but it’s a great option if your cat needs a soft cool place to sleep.
Color: Blue/Brown/Black/Olive Green/Suede/Gray Khaki
Size 34 x 27 inches
- Outer covers come in nylon, velour, canvas, denim, micro-suede fabric
- The outer shell is machine washable
- Double duty, as a cooling mat, and regular bed
- It does not have the same cooling power as other gel mats
- Large bed for a Cat
- Better suited for indoor use.
PRO TIP: If you want to choose from their large variety of fabrics, purchase from the seller that is selling them as a 2-pack. The cost is just a little more for two, but you get a second mat and better choices in color and fabric.
BEST WATER MAT FOR ARTHRITIC CATS
K&H Pet Products Coolin Comfort Bed
K&H has two cooling mats on the market. The K&H Coolin Comfort Bed uses the same water-based system as the K&H Cool Pet Bed, but it also has a foam core for added comfort. If the gel mats freak you out, this is a great option. In addition, you can adjust the convenience of the bed by the amount of water your add to the mat.
Color: Blue
Size 17×24 inches
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- Nylon exterior
- Best used in shady areas or indoors
- It uses water instead of gel
- Two-year manufacturers guarantee
- Air valve to adjust comfort
- The bed is cumbersome when water is added.
PRO TIP: The foam core can separate over time. To prevent this, when moving the fold it in towards the center and make sure to support the corners and sides of the mat.
COLDEST AND MOST CLAW-FRIENDLY
The CoolerDog Hyrdo Cooling Mat brings maximum cool to your cat. It consists of a flexible frozen layer that looks like a bunch of mini ice cube trays with a waterbed cushion that sits on top of the ice mat and is surrounded by a durable cover. This bed gets the coldest, but you do have to remember to freeze the mat ahead of time.
Color: Blue
Size: 16.5 x 11.5
- Made with water instead of gel
- The mat stays at 50-60 degrees for 4-5 hours when at room temperature. The time will decrease if outside in the sun.
- This mat has the most durable cover of all the cooling mats.
- The cover can be machine washed.
- Some complain that the mini ice cubes in the mat easily break
PRO TIP: To extend the cooling time get multiple ice mat inserts and keep them in the freezer.
BEST FOR HEATING AND COOLING
Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft Cooling and Heating Gel Pad
This circular cooling mat works for both heating and cooling. While it doesn’t have the same cooling power as other cooling mats for cats, it can be tossed in the microwave and used as a heating pad as well.
Color: Blue and White Paw Print
Size: 12 inches in diameters
- Soft fleece cover
- Heats and cools
- The cover is machine washable, and the gel pad is easy to wipe clean
- Require refrigeration for cooling and microwave for heating
- Fleece cover protects gel mat from claws
BEST COOLING MAT FOR CATS – THE RUNNER UPS
Coleman Pet Indoor/Outdoor Cooling Mat
Colors: Blue / Green / Red / Silver
Size: 16 x 12 inches
The Coleman Cooling Mat uses gel-activated technology. Coleman is a trusted brand for camping equipment, and they bring that quality to their cooling mat.
- It comes in four color options
- Three Hours of Continuous Cooling
- Recharges in 12-20 minutes
- Soft exterior
- Easy to clean, although there are some complaints about it getting moldy when in winter storage.
- Like most gel mats, the cover can be punctured by aggressive scratchers.
The Green Pet Shop Cooling Mat
The Green Pet Shop is a gel-based mat that wins the affection of many long hair cats. It’s more effective for indoor use than outdoors.
Colors: Blue
Size: X-small 11.8” x 15.7”, Small 15.7” x 19.7”
- Three Hours of Continuous Cooling
- Recharges in 20-30 minutes
- Easy to Clean
- The mat can wrinkle over time, but it doesn’t affect the cooling
- Ideal for indoor use
- Turn the pad regularly to prevent the gel from becoming solid.
The Chillz Cooling Pad is a gel-based mat. It has the cooling power as the Aarf and other gel mats. It’s one stand-out attribute that comes in Real Tree Edge Camo. So if you like to take your cat hunting, this will keep them cool and hidden. Jokes aside, this is a great cooling mat for cats, but it’s designed to fit into dog crates, so they have more of a K-9 target. The medium is still small enough to be appropriate for cats.
Color: Blue / Real Tree Edge Camo
Size: Medium 20×16
- Three Hours of Continuous Cooling
- Recharges in 20-30 minutes
- Easy to Clean
Color: Blue
Size: Small 11×15, Medium 15×20
The K&H Cool Pet Pad uses water instead of gel. You just need to fill it up one time. It’s a thin pad that you can lay on top of their regular bed if they need additional support. While this provides some cooling, it doesn’t have the same power as the gel mats or the mats you freeze.
- Use water instead of gel
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- No freezing is needed.
Pro Tip: If you want to remove the water to store, add a couple of drops of grapefruit seed extract a couple of days ahead of time. The anti-bacterial properties will prevent mold and mildew.
How to Get My Cat to Use it
You know how cats are. You cannot force them to like something. They are on their timeline when it comes to approving a new product. So, don’t go tossing the cooling mat for cats if they don’t fall in love as soon as it’s out of the package. Try these simple tips to help them understand the joys of the cooling mat for cats.
- Put something they like on top of it or near. Bonus points if it has its scent on it. Avoid toys that may encourage clawing. While some cooling mats are durable, none of them will stand up to excessive clawing.
- Place it inside their bed, chair, or favorite resting place.
- If you use a gel-based mat, activate the cooling mechanism by sitting or standing on the mat before encouraging your cat to join you.
- Lay down on the mat and invite the cat over to cuddle or play with you.
The Wrap Up on The Best Cooling Mat for Cats
While cats have natural ways to cool down, a cooling mat for cats can provide some additional comfort, especially for senior cats or cats recovering from surgery. The gel mats offer the most significant cooling power and are low maintenance. If you are concerned about the gel, the water-based mats are a great option.
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