How Does A Phase-Change Cooling Mat Work?

Cooling mats should be a 'no shock' option designed to gently cool your dog and gradually lower their core temperature, so they feel more comfortable in hot ambient conditions. Many of the higher quality mats work by using phase change technology and these cooling mats for dogs will give your pooch welcome relief on those very hot days without the shock of lower cost ice packs!

There is no doubt that the summers in the UK seem to be getting hotter and this is not always great news for your dog and cat. Many people suffer in these hot conditions, so you can imagine what it is like for our dogs and cats.

panting hot dog

Whether your pet has a short or long nose, or your cat has thick fur or none at all, your pets can overheat quickly.

So what are the options?

Well, you are probably walking your dog very early or very late in the day already. Or you are making sure that you provide cold water at all times - but what other options are there?

Well, one thing you can do is add something that will make your dog, cat or pet comfortable in the heat. And this can be something they can go to for relief whenever they want.

In our opinion, "that one thing" is not a cooling coat and that is because we don't think they work. We firmly believe that anything that adds an extra layer (wet or dry) is a bad thing in already warm conditions and that is why we have researched other options extensively.

After 3 months of trials, we found that cool mats were the best option. We found that one particular type of pet cooling mat gave us 100% confidence...

So why choose this dog cooling mat?

If you have been looking for a cooling mat for dogs of all sizes, you may have seen cheaper mats containing gels and thick liquids in some of the big stores. After a lot of testing, we decided only to stock a mat that has consistent cooling and recharging technology built-in and is not a gel ice pack. The mats found on this website contain phase change materials which give off a cooling sensation. This technology is used to keep goods and foodstuffs cool when in transport and it is great in helping to keep your pet cool in warm weather or high ambient temperatures.

The phase change materials plus recharging technology is a consistent way to produce a cool surface without the need to put the mat in a freezer and freeze the contents. Can you imagine the shock to your dog if it put an ice pack on them in very hot weather! Many of the gel mats on the market don't use phase change technology - they are just ice packs and owners are guided towards putting the mat in a freezer - we don't think this is a good idea.

Our cooling mats for dogs and cats use PCM, or phase change technology to cool your pet but without the shock. The non toxic PCM crystals cool when they are in the crystalised/semi solid state. After a few hours of absorbing your dog's body heat (and cooling your dog) the crystals turn into a thick squishy liquid. In this state, the mat no longer cools. You can then recharge it and turn it into a crystalised state again by putting it in a cool dark room for a few hours (or overnight) or by putting it in the fridge for about an hour. If you do place it in the fridge, please leave the mat at room temperature for 15 minutes before using it.

The dog cooling mats are sized accordingly in small, medum and large. The small mat is great for a small/toy breed to terrier, the medium fits a spaniel or medium sized dog and the large mat is for other large breeds or for two medium sized dogs. If you are looking for a cooling product for your dog or cat, then these mats will do the job very well in periods of hot weather and/or after play or heavy activities. And, they can also be used in the car.

Dogs in hot cars!

Disclaimer: We just wanted to point out that our cooling mats should only be used in cars that are moving and mobile in periods of very warm weather. In no way do we encourage people to use a cooling mat as a way to cool your dog for long periods of time in hot cars. Please do not leave your dog in a hot car - there, we have said it!

This type of cooling mat for dogs are made up of a hard-wearing PVC fabric and they can be folded and stored away easily.

How the cooling mat for dogs and cats works

pcm material for cooling The phase change material in the dog and pet cooling mat contains non-toxic crystals.

When your pet lies on the mat the solid crystals inside it absorb the heat from your pet's body and it will give off a cooling effect for your dog or cat, which helps it to cool down.

After several hours of absorbing body heat, the mat will eventually turn to a thicker liquid state and it will no longer cool. When it is in this liquid state it is time to recharge it. You can recharge the mat by putting it in a cool dark room overnight. Alternatively, you can put it in the fridge for a couple of hours. This will speed up the process of getting it from a liquid to a crystal state again.

This particular type of cooling mat for dogs provides consistent cooling by using phase change technology and we believe they provide excellent results.

No need for water, freezing or electricity

They do not need filling with water, they need no electricity and they do not need to be put in the freezer. We decided against gel or water-filled mats because we did not want to provide what are basically big ice packs.

Think of the shock your dog or cat will get when it lies on something that is ice cold! This can be dangerous, especially if your pet is very hot. Our mats provide sufficient, consistent cooling in a more controlled way. This means no ice-cold spots.

Where should the dog cooling mats be placed?

The cooling mats can be placed out of direct sunlight, ideally in a shaded spot where your dog or cat feels at home or is comfortable going back to. For dogs, this can be anywhere in a shaded place or one of their favourite spots in the house. For cats, it is usually one or two spots and this could be in the shade, in their bed or even under a bush or tree.

Remember, if it is a super hot day and the ambient temperature is high, you can place the mat in the fridge for one hour. This will cool it down quickly and provides a fully recharged mat in less time than placing it in a cool room overnight.

This is a real review from a customer that needed no invite or prompting...

..."This is a must have!!!! This has definitely saved my Westie's life..... the heatwave we have had has been torture for her. Best product on the market and excellent quality." Georgie, Essex.

Choosing the best size for your dog or cat

Please choose the right size cooling mat for your dog based on the size of your dog or cat.

They come in sizes 30 x 40 cms (for small dog breeds including chihuahua and small terrier, 50 x 65 cms up to large spaniel and 45 x 90 cms, which are suitable for most large dog breeds.

You will see these three options in the drop-down boxes above. Make a note of these measurements and mark a rectangle on the floor to see if each mat will be a good match for your dog.

Dogs will usually place their bellies on the mat with legs out in front or will lay on their side, so it is not always necessary to purchase the biggest size unless you have a large dog. Due to customer feedback, some dogs have been known to turn over and cool the other side to get the most from the mats! Cats will usually sit on them, lie with their paws out front, or curl up on their side if they feel super comfortable. Cats will only need a 30 x 40 cm mat.

Cooling Mat For Dogs