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When it comes to coolness, nothing beats the ice-based CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat for my cat. (Yes there is a dog pictured below. That’s okay! Most cooling pads for pets are just marketed for dogs.)
- Super cool!
- Cools with ice made from water
- No gels or chemicals
- Good support for your cat over hard surfaces
- Modular, expandable design
- Portable and easy to clean
Living in summer-all-year-round Hawaii means I’m always concerned about keeping my long haired Maine Coon cat cool for health, safety and comfort reasons. Here she is always enjoying the air conditioner whenever we turn it on.
So we like CoolerDog, but the best cat cooling pad for my cat may not be the best for yours. Which is why in this post, we talk about my top recommendations for cool mats, pads, and beds in a variety of different categories.
Photo via Luke Jones (CC BY 2.0)
At the end is a buyer’s guide with everything you need to know about cooling pads and cat health. Being able to help you make your cat more comfortable is important to me.
These are the products we are reviewing (not all shown):
The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad
- Easy to use
- Nice range of sizes.
- Long-lasting cooling power after activation
- “Recharges” quickly between uses
Arf Pets Solid-Gel Self Cooling Mat
- Long-lasting coolness
- No human intervention needed to activate the mat
- “Charges” in just 15 minutes
- Scratch-resistant nylon
- Wicking technology siphons body heat
- No gels or chemicals
- Easy to refill using tap water
- Variety of sizes available
- Elevated design
- No condensation or wet messes
- Lightweight, strong and sturdy
- Overall Best Cooling Pad for Cats (Ice)
- Runner Up Gel Cooling Mat for Cats
- Popular Pick! (Gel)
- Great Mainstream Cooling Mat for Cats (Gel)
- Best Water Based Cat Cooling Bed
- Fantastic Elevated Cooling Cat Bed
- Also Great
- What Are Cooling Pads for Cats?
- How Do They Work?
- Benefits of Cat Cooling Pads
- How to Get Your Cat to Use a Cool Cat Bed?
- Signs Your Cat May Be Suffering in the Heat
- Providing a Cool Environment for Your Cat
- Can You Make a DIY Cat Cooling Pad?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overall Best Cooling Pad for Cats (Ice)
- Super cool!
- Cools with ice made from water
- No gels or chemicals
- Good support for your cat over hard surfaces
- Modular, expandable design
- Portable and easy to clean
Our best cooling pad for cats uses the power of refreezable ice cubes to cool a kitty down!
It features a soft and luxurious waterbed cushion with a “FlexiFreeze” ice sheet with 88 ice cubes. There’s also a thick layer of insulation to ensure that those cubes stay cold for a long time.
You’ll like that this pad uses the natural cooling power of ice cubes without any extra chemicals or gels involved. The cube “bubbles” are actually designed to draw heat from your cat’s body to be more effective than a gel option.
With cooling pad for cats, durability is paramount. And finished with rip-stop materials, this is actually designed to be durable enough for both indoor and outdoor use.
If you need a bigger mat, the CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat’s modular design allows you to simply “snap on” more mats to create any size you choose!
Another perk is that the mat cover is machine washable! The full kit includes your cooling mat, ice sheet, waterbed cushion and an insulating foam insert. I find the blue color of the mat refreshing.
This mat’s dimensions are 16.5 x 11.5 x 3.5 (inches).
What We Liked:
- Super cool!
- Cools with ice made from water
- No gels or chemicals
- Good support for your cat over hard surfaces
- Modular, expandable design
- Portable and easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some complaints of fragile ice cube “bubbles.”
Runner Up Gel Cooling Mat for Cats
- Easy to use
- Nice range of sizes.
- Long-lasting cooling power after activation
- “Recharges” quickly between uses
This pressure-activated gel mat is definitely one of the best cooling mat for cats! Once activated, this mat provides cooling powers on contact for up to three hours.
This is truly a maintenance-free option for cat owners. You don’t have to worry about adding water, refrigerating anything or using electricity. In fact, the mat “recharges” in just 15 to 20 minutes of not being used!
The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad is a lightweight, ultra-comfortable mat that you can take anywhere.
Available in four sizes, the dimensions for each version of this mat are (Medium) 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.25, (Medium/Large) 30 x 20 x 0.25, (Large) 35 x 23.6 x 0.25 and (X-Large) 43.4 x 27.6 x 2.
What We Liked:
- So easy to use!
- Nice range of sizes.
- Very comfortable for cats.
- Long-lasting cooling power after activation.
- “Recharges” quickly between uses to ensure that your cat is never waiting.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some complaints of a thin top layer prone to claw rips.
Popular Pick! (Gel)
- Long-lasting coolness
- No human intervention needed to activate the mat
- “Charges” in just 15 minutes
- Scratch-resistant nylon
This gel cooling mat for cats has a self-cooling design that activates for three hours with just 15 minutes of recharge time needed between uses.
It has a solid gel interior that doesn’t require any human intervention to work. It’s made from nontoxic, latex-free materials.
The nylon cushion used in this design enhances the cooling powers. The Arf Pets Solid-Gel Self Cooling Mat is soft, comfortable and sturdy. It also has a puncture-resistant exterior.
This mat is easy to keep clean with some spot cleaning. The benefit of its gel interior is that you never have to worry about mold issues. Definitely one of the best cooling mat for cats!
The particular mat I’m linking to here is the Extra Large model that measures 35 x 55 x 1 (inches). Arf Pets also sells slightly smaller versions that are 23 x 35 x 1 (inches) and 27 x 43 x 1 (inches) if you’re looking for the benefits of this mat for a lower price.
What We Liked:
- Long-lasting coolness.
- No human intervention needed to activate the mat.
- A water-free design reduces mold concerns.
- “Charges” in just 15 minutes.
- Scratch-resistant nylon.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not machine washable.
Great Mainstream Cooling Mat for Cats (Gel)
- Good value
- Easy to use
- Spot cleans easily
As you might expect from a mat designed by one of the biggest camping brands out there, this Coleman cooling mat is made to be highly portable! Coleman promises that it will stay up to 10 degrees cooler than room temperature.
This gel pad doesn’t require any sort of refrigeration or electricity. It begins to cool down instantly using touch activation once your cat rests on it.
Overall, the Coleman Pet Cooling Mat is a very durable mat that appears to be highly resistant to scratches and punctures.
Designed for medium-sized pets, this cooling pad only comes in one size. Its dimensions of 24 x 30 x 0.5 (inches) should be more than enough to accommodate any cat.
What We Liked:
- Value and price.
- Easy to use.
- Spot cleans easily.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not machine washable.
- Only 1 size.
Best Water Based Cat Cooling Bed
- Wicking technology siphons body heat
- No gels or chemicals
- Easy to refill using tap water
- Variety of sizes available
I wanted to include at least one water cooling mat on my list because a few people have asked me if this is a good option for cats.
My first instinct would be that a “waterbed” design wouldn’t mix nicely with a cat’s claws. However, this cooling cat bed proves me wrong.
I like that you’re not worrying about any gels or chemicals with this pad. It actually uses wicking technology to wick heat from your cat’s body to release it into the air. How cool is that?
The manufacturer even claims this cat cooling bed will stay 22 degrees cooler than your room temperature.
The K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III creates a permanent cool spot in your home without the need for electricity. It gets its cooling powers simply using water from your tap. You’ll fill it up through an easy-fill cap and valve.
Made of a durable nylon-vinyl exterior, this cool cat bed is appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. When selecting the right size for your cat, you can choose from (Small) 17 x 24 x 1.5, (Medium) 22 x 32 x 1.5 inches and (Large) 32 x 44 x 1.5 sized cooling cat beds.
What We Liked:
- Wicking technology siphons body heat from your pet!
- No gels or chemicals.
- Easy to refill using tap water.
- Very comfortable for cats.
- Good variety of sizes available.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Time it takes to fill up with water.
Fantastic Elevated Cooling Cat Bed
- Elevated design
- No condensation or wet messes
- Lightweight, strong and sturdy
For those who don’t like the “technology” associated with the other cooling mats and pads, there’s the K&H Pet Products Elevated Pet Cot.
This cot is an altogether different take on the cooling matter, aiming to increase airflow and dissipate body heat from below as the primary vehicle for coolness.
Basically King or Queen Kitty chills on breathable mesh stretched over a metal frame, keeping her elevated 7 inches from the ground. And in case you’re curious, yes, that is enough clearance for robot vacuums.
For long haired cats and pets, I even like this solution even more. Even with a light summer haircut and regular brushing, can you imagine the warmth generated from just contacting with the ground?
And if you’re not a fan of icy or water-based cooling mats because of potential condensation/wet mess concerns, the K&H Original Pet Cot Elevated Bed is an even stronger candidate.
For easy maintenance, mold and odors don’t accumulate on the mesh. An included cot cover can be thrown in the wash or hosed off. 4 rubber feet are on the metal legs so protect your floors. The cot cover dampens the cooling effect, however.
And when you’re all done, it collapses for easy storage or portability just by hand.
Lightweight, quality construction, easy assembly and disassembly, and performance – all reasons I must recommend this cooling elevated cot! More than 10,000 reviewers agree as well.
What We Liked:
- Unique elevated design
- Sturdy
- Easy to set up, close, and clean
- Variable sizes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Stitching and corners could be stronger
Also Great
- Price
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
For those who desire the simple efficiency of the Original Elevated Pet Cot above without the brand name will be pleased with the Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed.
The concept is the same – to raise your cat more than 7 inches above the ground for extra circulation via breathable mesh on an iron frame.
Materials, everyday application, and sizing across the board are similar, but there are slight differences. The Amazon one is (as expected) less expensive.
And Amazon’s Elevated Pet Bed does not have rubber feet, so just be careful when moving the bed around… or when kitty decides to launch himself on or off it during the “night crazies!”
Most reviewers said their cats or dogs love this bed – it’s durable, affordable, and sized well. I recommend the Small, which accommodates 12-15 pounds.
The only downside is that elevated cooling cots are not for cats with joint pain or limited mobility elder cats.
What We Liked:
- Price
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like:
- No rubber feet
- Middle crossbar a pain to set up every time during assembly
What Are Cooling Pads for Cats?
Cat cooling pads are exactly what they sound like. A pad, mat, or even bed designed to create a long-lasting cooling effect that’s super comfortable for a too-warm pet to chill on. I want one in summers too!
How do they work? Well, the first thing is that a cooling cat pad is NOT like a heating pad, where you need to plug them in. That’s great news for your peace of mind!
FYI most “cat” cooling pads that you’ll find out there are technically made for dogs. That’s good news because it ensures that pads are very roomy and durable.
In fact, most have scratch-resistant nylon coatings that are designed to stand up to the powerful claws of dogs.
Most cooling pads are at least 20 inches across with 30 inches of length. I included pads above with multiple size options if you’re looking for a “jumbo” that fits multiple cats or pets.
Some cool cat beds are plusher and more padded vs simple mats.
How Do They Work?
Pet cooling pads lower temperature naturally using a non-toxic pressure-activated gel, water/ ice cubes, or elevation for more air flow. It’s basically science!
- With a gel pad, a touch-activated process stays cool for as long as your cat stays on the pad
- Water cooling pads require you to fill it up with water to create a cooling “waterbed”
- Ice-based mats use pods that you freeze and insert into the pad
- Elevated cots and beds are exactly what they sound like. These raise your cat up on breathable surfaces to dissipate body heat
Benefits of Cat Cooling Pads
My cat and I reside in a tropical environment. As a long haired Maine Coon though, she is more “dressed” for a New England winter!. So keeping her comfortable is a priority, without 24/7 air conditioning.
Of course, you don’t have to live in Hawaii like I do to be concerned about this.
On sweltering days, if you have tile in your home, you might noticed how your cat gravitates toward resting on the cooling tile, as opposed to carpet or sunny window perch.
But not everyone has a home with tile. Some cats can’t get any relief because they might live in place with just carpet. That’s where a cooling pad is essential. For soothing coolness and support, place them on:
How to Get Your Cat to Use a Cool Cat Bed?
If your cat doesn’t seem interested in trying out a cooling cat mat or bed, my tip is to place her favorite toy or treat on the pad to coax her over. And of course, you can always pick her up and place her on the pad.
She will understands once she feels the pad radiates coolness! And don’t assume that you don’t need a cat cooling mat if you live in a cooler climate, either. Fluffy might just love the texture!
I need to also mention that if your cat has a medical condition that causes pain and inflammation- get a cooling mat because it can feel very soothing against stiff, achy joints!
Signs Your Cat May Be Suffering in the Heat
Photo via Chika Watanabe (CC BY 2.0)
Our cats can’t tell us to crank up the air conditioning the way another human can! That means we have to rely on visual and behavioral cues to know that a cat needs a heat intervention.
“Medically known as hyperthermia, heat stroke is a life-threatening condition where a cat’s internal organs can shut down due to elevated body temperature,” shares Best Friends Vets. “As its temperature increases, the cat will initially suffer from heat exhaustion, which can then lead to heat stroke.”
Some signs that your cat is overheating include:
- A red tongue or mouth
- Drooling
- Sweaty, wet paw pads
- Rapid breathing
- Racing pulse
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Stumbling or staggering
Cats are good at hiding their discomfort, so if you’re unbearably hot, so is your cat! Ignoring these signs could cause your cat’s body temperature to reach the point where he collapses or slips into a coma.
Providing a Cool Environment for Your Cat
Don’t expect your cat to stay in temperatures all day long that you couldn’t comfortably endure. A cat cooling mat isn’t a replacement for being responsible.
While you need to focus on creating a shady, cool indoor environment for your cat, a cooling bed or mat can be a great supplemental tool for helping your cat to avoid overheating.
Make sure you’re closing shades or curtains to prevent sunlight from heating your home up. You should also give your cat 24-hour access to fresh, cool drinking water from from a water fountain.
Can You Make a DIY Cat Cooling Pad?
Yes, it’s possible to whip up your own cat cooling mat. I personally never went this route because there are so many affordable, nicely designed pads and luxurious cooling beds for cats out there to choose from.
However, I think every cat owner should know how to put together a pet cooling mat for your cat or dog in a pinch just in case they are stuck in a situation where the air conditioning in busted on a hot day.
I’m sharing a very simple DIY guide for making a cat cooling pad using aluminum foil and ice packs. I chose it specifically because you probably already have everything that’s needed in your house already.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cooling pads for cats work?
Yes, cooling pads can help cats to stay several degrees cooler. However, they are not substitutes for providing your cat with a cool, safe indoor environment and fresh water anytime.
How hot is too hot for cats?
A cat’s normal body temperature ranges between 99.5 and 102.5 Fahrenheit. If your cat’s temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, she’s at risk for fatal heat stroke. Ideally, you should maintain an indoor temperature between 69 degrees Fahrenheit and 72 degrees Fahrenheit at your home for your pets.
How long do pet cooling mats last?
Pet cooling mats can last for years! The answer really comes down to usage. A cool pad for cats may become dirty or “compressed” sooner if your cat sits on it daily. Always look for signs of leakage and mold that are letting you know it’s time to replace it.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
