Latest news with #coolingmat
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Wilko's £3.99 hot weather buy will keep your dog cool while lazing on patio this August – and no water is needed
WILKO'S has a cheap item on sale to help your dog to stay cool lying on the patio during the hot days this August, and you don't need water. This buy is paw-fect for pet owners gearing up for the temperatures that are set to reach 34C this week. 2 2 The Clever Paws Watermelon Fruit Pet Cooling Mat for £3.99 from Wilko's is great to keep dogs cool in the heat. It does not require electricity or water, making it an easy solution to help animals cope with the hotter days. The mat is non-toxic for animals, with a gel inside that is automatically activated. According to the production description, you can "simply place it on the floor and let them relax in style". This cooling mat comes in a fun fruity watermelon design, and measures 60 - 70 cm in size. There are also some other cooling mats from the homeware high street retailer that are selling for £3.99. Amongst those include the Abstract Tropical Cooling Pet Mat, that is also in a circular shape, and comes with a "funky vibrant pattern". There is also the Clever Paws Pet Cooling Mat, which is a medium size, that comes as just a a blue rectangular mat. This mat is said to have a design that is easily storable, with a cool gel core, and can be used alone or on top of a standard pet bed, measuring 40 - 50 cm and 45 cm in width. Additionally, Wilko's has a multicolour Kiwi and a Strawberry Pets Cooling Matt, that are one pound more at £4.99. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave The different cooling mats can be used at home or while travelling as they can easily be folded up. They are therefore useful when going away with your pets over the summer holidays. Earlier this summer, The Sun test seven of the cooling mats that are being sold around the UK for 2025. The best overall was found to be the Sunny Daze Pop-Up Dog Shelter which is going for £15. The Wilko's Clever Paws Watermelon Fruit Pet Cooling Mat was crowned the best budget item buy. People have even been seen using pet cooling mats, which have been hailed a "game-changer" to help sleep in the hot weather. One Sun reporter has opted for a £6 one from Amazon, which received dozens of five-star reviews online. It comes after Home Bargains was seen selling another cheap item that is great for keeping pets cool during the hot weather. For just 79p, Home Bargains has had a Pets Cooling Bandana available for pets to deal with the warmer days. Available in small, medium or large, this accessory can be used on cats or dogs to wrap around the necks.
CNN
11-08-2025
- General
- CNN
Best cooling mats for dogs in 2025, tested by my dogs
The best cooling mat for dogs we tested Best cooling mat for dogs: Green Pet Cool Pet Pad If the summer heat is slowing your pet, consider using one of the best dog cooling mats or pads to help them regulate their temperature. Cooling mats are either filled with water or a unique gel that absorbs the heat of your furry friend and then dissipates it to keep your dog cool. To find out if these cooling mats truly do work, I called in five of the most popular and tested them over a few weeks. I sat on them myself, had my dogs lie on them and even ran a few controlled experiments to find which cooling mats are worth buying. One emerged as the best for most dog owners (and dogs). Green Pet Cool Pet Pad The Green Pet Cool Pet Pad didn't have the absolute best cooling power, but its straightforward, lightweight design makes it incredibly easy to use and portable. Its combination of simplicity and durability, and its wide range of sizes makes it the best dog cooling mat on the market. The best cooling mat I tested was the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad. It strikes the perfect balance of cooling power, portability and ease of use. While the water-based mats I tested performed better in my cooling tests, they're a pain to fill up, use and transport. That's why this mat from Green Pet, which utilizes a nontoxic gel to help absorb excess heat from your pup in the summer, easily won out over its competitors. While some might like the increased cooling power of a water mat, I don't think dealing with the intense prep of them is worth it, unless you're going to leave them in a semipermanent spot like a back porch that's next to a hose for easier filling. The Green Pet mat, on the other hand, couldn't be simpler to use. All you have to do is unfold it and place it on the ground. There's no need to fill it with water since the gel inside can immediately start lowering your pup's temperature, and moving it from your porch to your family room is a breeze, thanks to its lightweight design. Even though it didn't work as well as the mats filled with cold water, I thought that skipping the five- to 10-minute setup process was a huge perk. The Green Pet mat, like all the other mats, had a respectable cooling score. All the pads I tested scored about the same in one of my two temperature tests, where I stuck a bottle of hot water on the mats before measuring how much it cooled off after 15 minutes. I performed this test with both K&H mats filled with room-temperature water, and they had similar cooling scores as the gel-filled mats (although I'm sure if I filled them with cold water, they'd have performed better). In my other temperature test, I prepped each mat (this time using cold water for the fillable mats) and set them out in direct sunlight. The thinner gel mats quickly heated up after 15 minutes, which meant they wouldn't be much help for your dog. The water-filled ones, on the other hand, stayed cool much longer, thanks to the cold water inside. This is an extreme test since you likely won't always be using a cooling pad in direct sunlight. Despite the increased cooling capabilities of water-filled pads, I think most people will enjoy the simplicity of gel mats, which is why the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad is my winner. What you miss out on in cooling efficiency is more than made up for in its simplicity and portability. As long as you use the Green Pet pad inside or in a shaded area, it can help bring your dog's body temperature down to prevent them from overheating. If you have no choice but to put your dog's cooling pad in direct sunlight, you may want to consider a water pad, despite how difficult it can be to use. Beyond the Green Pet mat's ease of use, I also loved how durable the mat proved to be in my tests. Can it hold up against super chewers? Probably not. But it is strong enough to hold up to some digging and nibbling. And if your dog does get through the outer fabric, the gel inside is nontoxic. After all my tests, the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad stood out as the best option to buy. It's extremely easy to use, has enough cooling power for most situations, comes in five different sizes to fit whatever breed of dog you have and even has extra color options just in case you hate blue. If your dog needs help cooling down after their midday walks this summer, the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad is an easy pick. To find the best dog cooling mats, I got my hands on five of the most popular and put them through a series of real-world tests. I ran multiple cooling trials, weighed them and also let my dogs relax on each of them to find the best. Here's every test I ran. Performance Cooling power: I prepared each mat according to manufacturer instructions, then placed them outside on a sunny sidewalk for one hour. I measured the temperature of the mat with a temperature gun every 15 minutes. I also filled a water bottle with hot water, placed the bottle on each mat. After 15 minutes, I measured the temperature of the water itself using a meat thermometer to see how much the mat cooled the water. Portability: I folded each mat as small as I could, weighed it and packed it in a tote bag to see how easy each would be to carry around. Ease of use: I followed the instructions for each mat to see how easy or difficult it was to prepare and use. Durability: I rubbed each mat on concrete 10 times and took note of any damage or scratching. Design Cleaning and care: I researched any and all care instructions and cleaned each mat myself according to those instructions. Sizing: I researched how many sizes each mat came in and if the sizes were appropriate for all kinds of dogs. Warranty: I researched each brand's warranty and ranked them. Dog cooling mats and pads help cool down your dog with some simple science. 'There are different types of cooling mats based on how they accomplish the goal of heat transfer. Some mats contain a gel material that acts like a heat sink, trapping heat from the dog's body and then transferring it to the environment, creating a cool, refreshing surface to lie on,' said Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian with the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. From my product testing, I found that water-filled mats get colder, since you can fill them with ice-cold water from your faucets, but they're much harder to set up and use than their gel-filled counterparts. However, it's important to think about when and how you want to use your cooling mat before buying one. If you intend on leaving the pad in a semipermanent spot and have easy access to a hose, water-based mats might be the better pick. On the other hand, if you know you want to bring your cooling mat around town or on road trips, the superior portability of gel mats is hard to beat. 'You should try to find a style and model that your dog will use, is effective for your situation, is easily cleaned and [is] safe,' Collins said. 'Most cooling mats will not contain products that are toxic to your dog, but since some dogs love to chew or dig, it's important to confirm that whatever you choose doesn't contain anything harmful.' Collins also said that some dogs may like the feel of one type of pad over another, and in my testing, I found that to be true. The water-filled mats were not only harder to set up but they also felt like a water bed, which my dogs didn't find very comfortable. 'Cooling mats can be a great extra tool to help keep dogs comfortable in warm weather, but it is also important to consider other means of cooling as well, such as shade when outdoors, fans (inside or out), a cool house or air-conditioning,' Collins said. 'Be aware of the signs that dogs exhibit when they become too warm, undertake measures to cool them off and when to seek veterinary attention.' Arf Pets Cooling Gel Mat for Dogs Very similar to our winner, the Arf Pets cooling gel mat is a great alternative if it's on sale or if the Green Pet pad is sold out. The Arf Pets Cooling Mat is extremely similar to our winner, having similar performance and portability scores. And that makes sense because Arf Pets is an authorized licensee of the cooling technology patented by Green Pet. If our winning mat is ever sold out, or if this one is on sale, it's a great buy to help your pup stay cool in the heat. Green Pet Chillz Gel Mat This mat felt cooler to the touch than thinner mats, but its softer gel can be slippery. I liked the feel of this mat a lot, and while it performed similarly to the thinner gel mats in my temperature tests, to me, it felt slightly cooler because of the larger pockets of gel. However, those gel pockets were quite soft, which made them a slipping hazard in my house. I unsuspectingly stepped on the mat a couple of times while walking around and almost lost my balance. For this reason, this mat fell in my rankings, but it might be a good option if you use it in a low-traffic area. K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III I thought both of the water-filled mats were too much of a hassle to use, but if you want the extra cooling power, I'd go with this option. Both water-filled mats I tested were a pain to fill up. They need too much water to fill with a pitcher, but it's difficult and awkward to fill them up in the tub. However, if you can actually get them filled with cold water, they can cool your dog a lot faster than gel mats in general. I liked this one more than the K&H Pet Products Cooling Mat because it has an air valve that lets you squeeze all the air out before using it. K&H Pet Products Coolin Pet Pad The water mats were not only hard to fill but they felt like water beds, and my dogs didn't like the uneven sensation. This bed is similar to the Cool Bed III, except it doesn't have an air valve, which makes it harder to remove any excess air before use. When filled with cold water, it outperformed the gel mats, but it gets so heavy when it's full that it's a pain to move around. Plus, my dogs didn't like the unsteady feeling when lying on any of the water mats. The following FAQs have been answered by Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian with the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. How do cooling mats for dogs work? How do cooling mats for dogs work? 'Cooling mats typically work by transferring heat away from the dog's body,' Collins said. 'On warm days, we often find our dogs trying to do this on their own — by lying in dirt or on hard surfaces rather than on softer surfaces such as carpeting, furniture or their dog bed. Dogs control their body temperature primarily through the loss of excess heat during panting. Cooling mats can complement panting by allowing for the loss of body heat through the mat itself.' Is it safe for dogs to sleep overnight on a cooling mat? Is it safe for dogs to sleep overnight on a cooling mat? 'For most dogs, this will not be a problem,' Collins said. 'However, with smaller dogs, dogs with underlying medical problems or dogs with mobility issues, it might not be ideal for them to be on a cooling mat all night without periodic monitoring to prevent them from becoming too cold or reducing blood flow to one area for too long. However, most dogs will move around regularly or move off the mat when they no longer need it.' Where is the best place to store a cooling mat for dogs? Where is the best place to store a cooling mat for dogs? 'It's ideal to follow the manufacturer's instructions, but it's good to store the mat in a cooler location versus in direct sun or warm rooms so that it is cool when your dog needs it,' Collins said. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Dr. Brian Collins, veterinarian with the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products in our testing guides and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Kai Burkhardt spoke to a veterinarian to get the lowdown on dog cooling mats and how they work. To test the mats, Burkhardt spent several days with each option and ran regimented tests alongside his two dogs to find the best one.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
‘It's unhinged', say shoppers about hot weather buy that guarantees a good night's sleep and only costs £5
SHOPPERS are raving about a hot weather buy that guarantees a good night's sleep and costs as little as £5 on the high street. With temperatures set to hit a scorching 32C this weekend, many Brits will be desperately looking for clever ways to cool down. 2 Some shoppers have revealed an "unhinged" hot weather hack they've found to get through the sticky, sleepless nights, with many hailing it a "lifesaver". Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and while they are intended to be used for cats and dogs, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves. Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their "unhinged tips on how to stay cool" during hot spells, one social media user wrote: "Borrowed my cat's gel cooling mat as she's uninterested in it and it's a lifesaver. "I'm considering getting a Labrador-sized one for more coverage." Another replied saying: "I did exactly that, it's amazing." The cooling mats can be found at many UK retailers, including Sainsbury's and B&Q, and cost as little as £5 for a small size. Unlike some other hot weather buys available right now, they also cost nothing to run as they require no water or electricity. Shoppers have also shared their tips for getting the most out of the cooling gadget, revealing they sleep with it under their bed sheets at night. Posting to the Aldi Aisle of Shame Community Facebook group, one wrote: "Whoever posted to use the dog cooling mat for yourself under the sheets…thank you!! "This is an amazing discovery! And it works!!!" Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend Another commented: "I bought it and did the same, slept great the past 3 nights!" "I have been using mine for the last 3 summers!" another user wrote. "I put the mat at the bottom of the bed. Cools my legs and stays cool all night!" Some Reddit users have also been posting about the hack, with one posting to the online: "I bought a cooling mat used for dogs for myself. It is great!" They added: "I stumbled upon a cooling mat for dogs online that doesn't require cooling inserts or electricity and thought why not try it out. "It is great! It is not too cold to make you freeze but it cools my body done nicely." Where can I find the gadget? Sainsbury's is currently selling a cooling mat for small dogs for just £5. that provides "instant cooling", according to the retailer. The Weboox Pet Cooling Mat for Small Breeds is cool to the touch and gel based, requiring no water or electricity. It's also wipe clean and water resistant, featuring safe, non-toxic cooling gel. The mat is also available in a medium size for £10. B&Q is also offering a cooling mat for under £6. Its Pets Self Cooling Gel Mat For Cats & Dogs measures 40X50cm and costs £5.95. Morrisons is selling a Furdreams Pet Cooling Mat in medium for £7, which the retailer describes as easy to clean, portable and versatile for home, travel, or outdoor use. Tesco is selling a larger pet cooling mat, which is on sale at £11.47, reduced from £15.29. "COOLER Pet Cooling Mat is an essential accessory for those hot summer days, this cooling mat will help to regulate your pet's temperature and prevent overheating," Tesco says on its website. How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
The Sun
29-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Home Bargains' £4 essential hailed as ‘lifesaver' on sticky summer nights – & it's £11 cheaper than Argos version
TRYING to sleep when you're hot and uncomfortable can feel like an impossible task. Thankfully, Home Bargains shoppers can now pick up a budget buy that will keep them cool all night long. So if this weekend's high temperatures have left you struggling and waking up in a pool of sweat, it may be time to switch up your bedding. It's time to put away your winter duvet and make the most of this budget cooling buy. The Home Collections Cooling Mat/Pillow is available for just £3.99 from the bargain retailer. Product details According to the manufacturers, this buy will help you "beat the heat" this summer. "This nifty little mat is perfect for easing pain and discomfort, thanks to its self-cooling gel," the product description read. To use, simply pop this mat/pillow in your fridge for about hour. When you're ready to cool down, take it out and enjoy the refreshing relief wherever you are. Watch Dyson's Hot+Cool air-purifying fan in action – including 'sleep' mode As well as saving you from a sticky night's sleep, this buy can also help to relieve pain and discomfort from injuries or heat. It can be placed inside pillows or placed on a seat, wherever you need it in the hot weather. This mat has self cooling inner gel, designed to react to your body temperature and absorb excess heat. And the portable size means it can be used at the office or in the car on hot summer days. A similar item can be found from Argos, but with a much higher price tag. The Silentnight Restore Cooling Gel Pillow Pad is currently available for £15. That means savvy shoppers can save a whopping £11 by opting for the Home Bargains buy. Other cooling hacks Experts recently revealed the exact position to keep your door at during hot nights for the perfect sleep. And another quick trick will instantly cool down your home without costing you a penny. Plus, more surpising ways to keep your bedroom cool during the summer heat. Health experts have also revealed tips to help you sleep better in the hot weather. More Lidl summer buys You can spruce up your decking this summer with a handy middle aisle buy. And another bargain buy from Lidl is perfect for a day at the beach. Or if you're jetting away this summer, Lidl is selling a dupe of a popular suitcase. And you can transform your summer garden with the latest flowers to hit the middle aisle.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This pet cooling mat is a 'game-changer' for overheating dogs — Amazon shoppers swear by it
When the summer heat hits (and it's been hitting), it's not just us humans who feel it — our furry friends struggle too. Keeping pets cool during sweltering hot days is important for their comfort and health, especially when temperatures soar. That's where this Large Pet Cooling Mat from Amazon Canada comes in handy. Shoppers are calling it a total "game-changer" at preventing pets from overheating, whether they're lounging indoors or tagging along on summer excursions. It's designed to provide instant relief without any electricity, water or weird activation tactics — just a comfy, chilled surface they can sprawl out on. If your pet's feeling the heat, this mat is a cool solution. If your pup or feline friends are feeling the summer heat, this cooling mat is here to help. It's thick, comfortable and cool, and there's no need for electricity or freezing to get it going — once your pet lies down, the mat will instantly start drawing away heat. It will even change colour so you can visibly see it working. The waterproof, anti-slip design keeps things clean and safe, so they can lie on it wet or dry. Plus, it's very lightweight and easily foldable, making it perfect for road trips, hanging out at the park or hot days at home. It's easy to clean and quick to dry, making it a no-brainer summer must-have for keeping your furry friend cool in scorching temperatures. ⭐️ 4.4/5 stars 💬 1,000+ ratings 🏆 "If my dog could write reviews, this would be a 10-paw rating." "Best cooling mat ever," writes one customer who also calls it "fantastic." It keeps their dog "nice and cool no matter where he is," adding that they take it in their vehicle and to the cottage. "My dog who is panting all the time has adopted her new cooling mat in a second!" shared another. They said it's a real "game-changer for her." Another said it "keeps my dog cool and comfy!" They love that "the material stays cool to the touch and doesn't need any extra effort like freezing or wetting it." They continued, "It's lightweight and super easy to move around the house or take on trips." While one person said it "feels cool to the touch," they did complain about it feeling "super thin" — their solution was laying it on their pup's bed. Another important note is don't leave it in the sun for too long, as that can damage the cooling fabric and colour-changing abilities. The $47 price tag might feel a bit steep for a pet mat, but shoppers say it's definitely worth it for the cooling relief it offers their dogs on hot days. It might feel a little thin on its own, but you can always layer it over your pet's bed for extra cushioning. If you want to prevent your pup from overheating, this is a smart summer purchase.
