If you are in a rush and want to skip ahead to our favorite cat cooling pad look no further than the Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad.
Even though modern cats originate from the desert climate, cats do not tolerate heat any better than people.
Cooling pads for cats are one great way to keep our feline friends invigorated, especially during the summer heat.
In this article, we’ll first provide an overview of cat cooling beds and their benefits. Then, we’ll review the following products to help you choose the best one for your cat.
Feel free to skip ahead to our reviews if you already know about cooling pads.
- The Green Pet Shop Dog and Cat Cooling Mat (also available on Chewy.com!)
- K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III Cooling Bed (also available on Chewy.com!)
- Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad
- Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Soft Cooling Gel Pad (also available on Chewy.com!)
- NACOCO Pet Cooling Cat and Dog mat
Do Cats Feel Hot?
As we mentioned, despite common belief, and the fact that Cats originate from desert climates, modern cats can also struggle with heat. They just don’t show it as much as humans or dogs do.
That’s because cats cool themselves through sweat glands in a few hairless areas, such as paws, lips, and the skin surrounding the anus.
They also cool down by strategically taking naps during the hottest times of the day and by grooming. Indeed cats are able to cool down their body by licking it. Indeed, while dogs pant and make it very clear when they feel hot, it is more difficult to tell when a cat is feeling hot.
As any cat lover knows, no cat is alike. Indeed a cat’s ability to manage her body temperature depends on factors such as health, body weight, coat thickness, heat, and humidity.
What Are Cat Cooling Pads And How Do They Work?
Cat cooling pads are specially designed multi-layer mats to keep pets cool.
How do they do so?
Pet cooling pads work by using a basic principle of thermodynamics, which says that when two surfaces with different temperatures come in contact with each other heat is transferred to the cooler surface.
Too technical? Let me simplify. Cooling mats for cats absorb heat from your cat’s body and make it cooler by about 5 to 15 degrees.
Different Types of Cat Cooling Beds
Until recently Cat cooling pads were water-based, gel-based or metal. Recently though, we started seeing fabric-crystal cold-sensing pads, a new, promising technology.
Gel-based cooling pads
These cooling pads are the most popular among pet owners. They use special gels that either need to be refrigerated or cool themselves automatically (known as self cooling pads).
Gel cooling mats offer cooling of 5 to 15° depending on the gel and thickness of the cooling layer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for indoors or in the shade | Costlier than water-based cooling pads |
| Durable | Squishy gel surface uncomfortable for some pets |
| Risk of cats chewing on them, causing leakages. |
Water-based cooling pads
Think of it as a water bed, but for kitties.
These cooling mats need to be filled up with cool water and provide your cat with a fresh surface to lay on. The downsides are that these mats can become heavy to move around when filled with water and that for optimum cooling you’ll need to fill it with cool water every time.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be used indoors and outdoors | Prone to leakages |
| Cheap | Not effective in providing quick cooling. |
| Less convenient than Gel |
Metal cat cooling pads
These cat coolers are made of Aluminum layers, a material naturally cooler than most other objects around.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Absorbs heat instantly upon contact | Solid non-squishy surface uncomfortable for some cats. |
| Resistant | |
| No chance of being ingested or leakage |
Fabric crystals-based cold sensing cooling pads
These pet cooling mats are based on the latest Japanese cooling technology. They feature a thin soft nylon/silk surface, crystal fabric in the middle layer, and a meshed base.
To offer efficient cooling, they add Jade, a naturally cool mineral, in the fabric. This together with a fresh base and silk, can cool your dear cat by 5 -10°.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast heat absorption and dissipation | May not work well in very extreme conditions |
| Lightweight and portable. | |
| Cheaper than gel-based pet cooling pads |
Does My Cat Need a Cooling Pad?
If you are reading this, chances are that you don’t live in Alaska, and most likely you live in a hot climate. If that’s right, and you feel that your cat is suffering the heat you may give cooling pads a try.
Even though cats have adapted and evolved in hot weather, extreme heat with limited cooling options can put a cat at risk of heat stroke and other heat-related issues. In short, their precious bodies can be overwhelmed from trying to stay cool and shut down.
Cat cooling pads can be especially important for long-haired, overweight, and senior felines with weak body temperature management. They also come in handy for kittens who love the outdoors and need some extra cooling when they come back in.
Many cat owners swear by cooling pads’ ability to provide relief for cats inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
You might ask, how do I know if my cat is hot?
One obvious indicator is a cat that’s restlessly trying to find a cool spot, such as bathroom tiles or sinks. Other signs include panting, sweaty feet, and excessive grooming.
In extreme situations, there may be rapid breathing, vomiting, staggering, and redness of the tongue and mouth. Don’t hesitate to immediately take your pet friend to the veterinarian in such scenarios.
Also, remember to always encourage your cat to stay hydrated during the hot days. The video below provides great tips on keeping your cats cool.
How Effective Are Cooling pads for cats?
The effectiveness of a pad surprisingly varies from cat to cat.
Large cats or cats with longer and thicker fur retain heat more, so they’ll tend to suffer summer heat more. This also means that cooling pads will take more time to cool them down.
Most importantly, if your cat finds the mat uncomfortable or offputting, she won’t use it. So comfort is also an important factor to keep in mind.
How Safe are Cat cooling pads?
Cooling pads, especially gel based, raise concerns among some pet owners.
Manufacturers promise that their products are 100% non-toxic and will cause no harm. However, if ingested, the gel can cause stomach discomfort to some cats.
So it’s best to discourage your feline friend from chewing on the mat. If that’s impossible for your cat, it might be better to go for an Aluminium-based cooling bed (at the time of writing we could not find one on Amazon or Chewy, we’d recommend you check with your local pet store).
The good news is that cat cooling pads don’t require any plugging in to a power supply. You don’t have to worry about cords lying around that your cat might chew on.
Now that we have a basic understanding of how cat cooling pad works, we can go ahead and review our favorites!
The best cooling pads for cats
The Green Pet Shop Dog and Cat Cooling Mat
A gel-based cooling pad made of a thin nylon surface and a vinyl cooling pad shell.
This pad uses a patented pressure activated technology that provides cooling for up to 4 hours (as stated by the manufacturer).
The Green Pet Shop also promises that the gel is non-toxic. But clearly you shouldn’t let your cat chew on the mat.
The mat can cool about 5 to 15 degrees and automatically refreshes itself in 20 to 30 minutes after your pet friend steps off. How efficient!
This cooling pad comes in 5 different sizes, so you can be sure to find a size that matches your cat. The smallest mat has a dimension of 11.8 x 15.7’’ and the largest 27.5 x 43’’.
Did someone say awards?
The cooling mat has won not one but two prestigious awards – Pet Product News International Editor’s Choice Award and The Family Choice Award. Impressive, huh!
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ Automatically refreshes itself | ❌ Costlier than other gel-based products |
| ✔️ Supercharge cooling | ❌ Hardens/shrinks if not frequently used. |
| ✔️ No water or electricity needed | ❌ Not ideal for outdoors |
| ✔️ Easy to fold and store away | |
| ✔️ Lightweight | |
| ✔️ Available in five sizes. |
K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III Cat Cooling Bed
A water-based cooling mat for cats with a tough nylon/vinyl exterior and a non-slip bottom.
This third-generation product uses a water technology to absorb heat and keep Kitty fresh and invigorated. You simply need to add water to activate the Cool Bed III. The more water the more the cushioning and cooling capabilities.
This cat cooling mat is available in 3 sizes and two color combinations – blue and gray.
K&H says that the best part about is you can use it both indoors and outdoors for temperatures less than 95°. Always remember to keep it away from direct sunlight for increased durability.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ Improved cooling core | ❌ Difficult to move the cooling pad when filled |
| ✔️ Easy to use water valve | ❌ Prolonged use without an anti-bacterial cause bacteria buildup and odor |
| ✔️ 2-year warranty | ❌ Not suitable for aggressive scratchers and clawers |
| ✔️ Ideal for both indoors and outdoors | ❌ Priced similar to gel-based mats |
| ✔️ Can be stored full or empty |
Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad
A gel-based cooling pad that’s all about comfort.
Coleman is an authority when it comes to long-lasting outdoor and cooling products. So you know you can trust them.
This non-toxic gel mat is designed to keep your pet friend cool without getting too chilly. According to Coleman, it stays 5-10° cooler than the room temperature. What’s even better is that the product is priced very competitively, in the same price range of other gel-based mats.
The mat is available in only one size with 24 x 30’’ dimensions and three color combinations- silver, green, and red. Coleman comfort cooling pad has multiple uses. You can use it as a standalone, in a pet bed, in the car, or even in a pet carrier.
I however recommend never leaving kitty in a car on a hot day. The temperatures can be unbearable even with a cooling pad in use.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ Versatile | ❌ Not suitable for scratchers and clawers |
| ✔️ Extremely lightweight and portable | |
| ✔️ Easy to store away | |
| ✔️ Trusted brand | |
| ✔️ Competitive price |
Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Soft Cooling Gel Pad
Gel-based cooling pad with a super-soft cover and a non-toxic gel secured with velcro lining.
The gel pack is designed to comfortably fit inside the fleece cover. This cooling mat has a diameter of 12’’ and easily fits in most pet beds and carrying crates.
Did someone say versatility? Not only can you use it as a cooling pad in the summer but also as a heating pack in the winter. Place the gel pad in the microwave for 30 seconds to heat and 10-20 minutes in the refrigerator to cool.
The pad retains its temperature effect for 1-2 hours before needing to be recharged. The fleece cover is easy to clean. Simply toss it in the washing machine and you are good to go.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ Easy to clean | ❌ Heating requires a microwave and cooling requires the refrigerator |
| ✔️ Comes with a soft fleece cover for added comfort | ❌ Only one size available |
| ✔️ Versatile. Both warms and cools | ❌ Fleece cover does not seem indicated for cooling purposes |
| ✔️ Flexible pack | |
| ✔️ Compact and lightweight | |
| ✔️ Can be used by humans |
NACOCO Pet Cooling Cat mat
Here to represent the Fabric crystals-based world! Introducing the NACOCO pet cooling mat (the only brand that provided a cat photo).
This cooling bed is made from durable and comfortable nylon fabric and a meshed bottom for air breathability. It adopts the Japanese new cold-sensing technology to keep kitty cool and refreshed.
NACOCO advertises its product as an excellent cooler, reducing the cat’s temperature by about 5-10°. The cooling mat is available in 3 sizes- S (18.9’’ x 15.3’’), M (27.5’’ x 18.1’’) and L (37.0’’ x 26.4’’). You can also choose from its vibrant blue, yellow, and pink color combinations.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔️ Uses the latest Japanese Cold-sensing technology | ❌ May not work well for extreme conditions |
| ✔️ Cheaper than gel cooling pads | |
| ✔️ Meshed base for ventilation | |
| ✔️ Machine washable |
Conclusion
Cat cooling pads to the rescue!
Summer no longer has to be an uncomfortable time for our beloved cats. All options above have pros and cons. In the end, the choice is yours and most importantly your cat’s.
My favorite pick? Well, I think the overall best cat cooling pad is the Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad. The reputation and reliability of the Coleman brand surely play a role here. Add to that its ease of use, quality, and competitive price and you get the recipe for a perfect product. Definitely a cats’ favorite.
If you’re not convinced by any of these cooling pads, you may want to try this alternative, creative DIY solution.
STAY COOL, STAY FRESH!