With the long hot summers, we all try and find the best ways of keeping our cats cool. Well, I am now trying out a cat cooling pad and I will say – ‘they are not just for dogs’. If you see most of the marketing for these cooling pads then they are almost always targeted at dogs. But cats can use them too. As Dyson has also had major surgery recently and does not like the heat it is also important for me to keep her comfortable during the day and putting a cooling pad in her crate has helped.
How A Cat Cooling Pad Works
Most of these pads are filled with a non-toxic gel. And how it works is that it activates when your pet sits on the mat. After just a few minutes the gel is activated and starts cooling down your cat. Now why these might be targeted more for dogs is that all cat lovers know that cats can be very fussy about everything. And that includes where they sit and sleep. However, cats are intelligent and soon work out that the mat they have just been sitting on is much cooler than the surrounding floor.
They are really great for long haired cats who seem to like basking but then also seem to overheat. Dyson always hated the heat even before she had surgery so I always had the mat in her crate whilst she was recovering and she then felt a lot more comfortable. It was also easy to keep clean especially since I had to keep Dyson’s surgery site clean as well.
You could put these in your cat’s favourite sleeping place or even pop under their usual bedding. However, please note that even though these pads can be hard wearing and scratch resistant they can get damaged. Whilst they are filled with non-toxic gel or other material you will want to remove the mat if it is damaged as your cat could eat the filling and cause stomach upsets or other issues in rare cases.
So let us have a look at some of the best cooling pads for cats that are currently available for your kitty.
Cat Cooling Mats
Arf Pets Self Cooling Pet Pad
The Arf Pets cooling pad has a tough and sturdy nylon outside with a cool gel inside which absorbs the pet's body heat. Therefore, keeping them cooler and relaxed for up to three hours. It is completely self-charging so does not need to be placed in a fridge or water and doesn't need electricity so it is very low maintenance.
Again this activates when your pet sits on it. And after providing three hours of relief from hot temperatures it only needs about 15-20 minutes of non-use before it recharges and can be used again. It again uses a non-toxic gel and can be folded up quite easily for travel or storage. Whilst the nylon outer coating is easy to keep clean by just wiping over with a mild soap and water. It is also puncture resistant and resists tearing.
The Arf Pets Self Cooling Pet Pad is currently available in two sizes, (19x35 inches and also 31 by 37 inches) and is an Amazon best seller.
Chillz Cooling Mat
This is an affordable gel pet cooling mat which is a current Amazon best seller and comes in three sizes. Easy to get started this cooling pad requires no electricity and no need for refrigeration to keep the pad cool. Just allow it to recharge itself when not in use. The Chillz mat has a lightweight and puncture resistant surface and it folds up for easy storage. You can place it in your cat carrier to keep your cat cool on trips to the vets for example.
The gel is non-toxic and is safe for pets, adults, children and the environment. There are three sizes so you should be able to find the perfect size for even the largest of kitties:
- Medium - 19.5” X 15.7” (50cm x 40cm)
- Large - 36” X 20” (90cm x 50cm)
- Extra Large - 37” X 31.5” (93cm x 78cm)
Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad Mat
The Coleman Comfort Cooling Pad remains 5 to 10 degrees cooler than room temperature to give your kitty a cooling experience in hot weather. It is safe to use as the cooling gel is non-toxic and needs no refrigeration. And you just need to wipe the mat down to keep it clean. This cooling mat can be used by itself in your cats favorite sleeping area or place in a pet bed or your cat carrier.
It comes in three colors - the usual blue, a vibrant red and silver and also comes in two sizes:
- Small - 12" long x 16" wide
- Large - 36" long x 20" wide
K&H Pet Products Coolin' Comfort Bed
If you don't want a gel filled pad and your kitty needs a little extra comfort then try out the K&H Coolin' Comfort Bed. This cooling bed requires you to fill the bed with water and then adjust the comfort level using the easy air valve. This is an orthopedic bed which helps aid arthritis, skin conditions, hip dysplasia and is designed to radiate heat back into the air or floor to keep your pet cool. The water-saturated Cool Core absorbs natural body heat to convert it to room temperature. This pet bed needs to be in a shady spot and should not be used on sharp objects which could puncture the bed.
This bed does need a bit more care so when you are moving it as lifting by the corners will cause the foam core interior to separate. Therefore, fold the bed and wrap each arm around either end before moving.
K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III
If you like the idea of a non-gel filled cooling bed but you don't require the orthopedic padded bed above then K&H also make the Cool Bed III. This cooling mat wicks the heat out of your cat and releases it into the surrounding air. Again this pad is filled with water which then saturates the Cool Core inside the mat. How it works is that the difference between your cat's body temperature and room temperature is how the Cool Bed III provides a cooler surface for your pet. If your home is 80 degrees F then the bed is 22 degrees cooler than your cat's body temp. This cooling mat works best by placing it in a shady area and is easy to clean by just wiping down with a damp towel. After filling the mat with water you do not need to refill and it doesn't dry out.
This comes in three sizes and the optimum amount of water for each size is:
- Small - (17" X 24") 1–1.5gal
- Medium - (22" X 32") 2–3gal
- Large - (32" X 44") 4–6gal
The Green Pet Shop Cooling Mat
The Green Pet Shop Cooling mat uses a patented gel technology to keep your kitty cool in the summer. The pressure activated pad can keep your cat cool for up to 3 hours. And re-activating the cooling gel is simple with no need for refrigeration - it automatically recharges itself after just 15-20 minutes of non use. Just place the pad where your cat likes to relax and the cool sensation provides relief from hot weather. It can be used on the floor, sofa, your pet's bed or cat carrier as it is lightweight and folds easily for travel.
The Green Pet Shop supplies their pet cooling mat in five different sizes so you should be able to find the perfect size for your cat (or even for your rabbit and dog). Sizes are:
- Small - 11.8 x 15.7 inches
- Medium - 19.7 x 15.7 inches
- Medium/Large - 30 x 20 inches
- Large - 23.6 x 36 inches
- Extra Large - 27.5 x 45 inches
AKC Reversible Pet Cooling Mat for Cats
You can keep your cat safe and cool with this cooling pet mat by the American Kennel Club. No batteries, electricity or refrigeration are required as the non-toxic liquid cooling get recharges itself after just 16-20 minutes of non-use. This is a double sided pet mat which comes in a range of fab styles so also looks good in your home. Each side is made of a highly durable material which is also water resistant and resistant to tearing. Just wipe over with a damp cloth to clean. The AKC pet cooling mat helps to keep your cat cool and comfortable during hot summers and is 100% safe for animals, adults and children.
You can use this mat outside or inside as well as popping it in your cat carrier for trips to the vet. And it comes in three sizes.
Yu-Xiang Ice Pad
One of the fun things about the Yu-Xiang ice pad is that not only does it come in three sizes but it also comes in six very cool looks. This ice pad uses a nylon fabric material which is soft and smooth to the touch. Inside you have fibre with the ice cold element crystals. These absorb the heat to help reduce body temperature. The bottom of the pad is a sandwich mesh which is breathable and you can use this mat throughout the summer to keep your cat cool.
Unlike other mats which come in a single color this mat comes in the following:
- Blue
- Blue fruit
- Pink
- Pink cat
- Pink dog
- Yellow
It also comes in the following three sizes:
- Small - 17 x 20 inches
- Medium - 20 x 28 inches
- Large 28 x 40 inches
Remember though not to leave your pet unattended in a car during this hot weather even if they are on a pet cooling pad. Car temperatures can rocket in hot weather and may often be 20 degrees higher than the outside temperature. A cooling pad cannot cope with those conditions and dogs and cats kept in hot cars can die within an hour.
I feel it would be more helpful if you would compare the products, perhaps on a chart, including length of time they stay cool and price, rather than the reader needing to look at each link to make those comparisons.
Peace & cats,
Janit
Hi Thank you for your comment. That is actually a great idea. I will endeavor to do that in future for other comparisons.
have a pawsome summer