10 Best Cat Cooling Mats & Pads in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Are you on the hunt for a cat cooling pad or mat for your favorite feline? If so, you might’ve run into the problem of there being just so many available. It’s hard to narrow the choices down when there are so many on the market. That’s why we’re here to save the day with our quick reviews of the best cat cooling pads and mats currently available. This list will enable you to make the perfect choice in no time!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		The Green Pet Shop Cool Mat	Best overall Pressure-activated Long cooling period	Check Price
Best Value		NACOCO Pet Cooling Mat	Best value Cats love it Easy to use	Check Price
Premium Choice		CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat	Non-toxic Three layers Can change size	Check Price
		Furhaven Orthopedic Cooling Mat	Not just a mat, but a bed Soft Helps with body alignment	Check Price
		Dogbed4less Premium Cooling Mat	Super large Good for multiple cats Usable in hot and cold temps	Check Price

The 10 Best Cat Cooling Pads & Mats

The overall best cooling pad, by far, is The Green Pet Shop Pressure-Activated Gel Cooling Mat. This cooling mat requires no refrigeration, water, or electricity as it’s pressure-activated. It provides around 3 hours of cooling, plus the gel formula recharges after approximately 20 minutes of non-use. That means if your cat walks away and comes back later, it’ll be nice and cool all over again! Not only does this mat provide relief from overheating, but it also provides relief for joint and muscle pain.

This mat is foldable and lightweight, and it’s simple to clean; all you need is a damp cloth. You can pick from several sizes, from extra small to extra-large, so you’ll be sure to find one suitable for your pet. One important item to note is not to place the mat in direct sunlight because it will affect how well it works.

Looking for a simple cooling mat that’s not too expensive? Then this mat by NACOCO Pet Cooling Mat is the best value! It’s incredibly inexpensive and made of materials that are durable as well as breathable. Clean-up is super easy—just toss it in the wash or wash it by hand. Most pet owners who use this mat recommend air drying rather than sticking it in a dryer, though, so keep that in mind.

This mat doesn’t require freezing or electricity. It helps to cool your pet down via jade crystal on the inside that absorbs body heat.

If your cat prefers premium products, then the CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat is the mat for you! Don’t let the name of this mat fool you — this mat is suitable for cats and other pets as well. It consists of three layers: a waterbed cushion, a layer of insulation, and a FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet. The cushion distributes the heat and makes the cat cooling bed comfier for your cat. The Ice Sheet comprises 88 re-freezable cubes that keep your pet cool while the insulation repels heat. Have more than one cat? These mats are designed so you can snap multiple ones together.

The CoolerDog mat is non-toxic and approved by vets.

The Furhaven Orthopedic, Cooling Gel, and Memory Foam Pet Bed is fancier than many others in that it’s designed as a chaise lounge, making it more of an actual cat cooling bed. Don’t worry, though, as it still will cool your pet down with its memory foam top infused with a cooling gel. The memory foam provides ultra comfort while also helping to keep your pet’s body in the proper alignment. The top is made of quilted fleece, and the rest is suede, making this product gentle on paws; plus, the cover is removable and easy to clean.

If, for some reason, this product arrives with defective material, there’s a limited 90-day warranty. There’s also a 60-day Worry-Free Program for which the product may qualify.

Does your kitty love having plenty of room to lounge? The Dogbed4less Premium Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pet Mat only comes in large, extra-large, and jumbo sizes, so they’ll have more than enough! This mat is perfect for multi-cat households as well, given the size. It contains memory foam with temperature-regulating gel that keeps pets cool during hot weather and warm during winter. The top of this mat is a velour fleece, so it’s soft and cozy, while the bottom of the mat is waterproof rubber designed not to slip and slide all over the place.

The company claims the mat is resistant to wrinkles, dirt, and stains and won’t lose its shape from washing. Cleaning is easy—grab a hose and some mild detergent, and you’re good to go!

The pressure-activated Chillz Cooling Mat needs no freezing or plugging in to work. It provides relief from the heat for up to 3 hours with a non-toxic gel that recharges itself after about 20 minutes of non-use. The lightweight material makes it easy to carry from one place to another, while the plastic is reported to be resistant to punctures and tears. You can also store it quickly since it’s foldable.

While the gel used is non-toxic, the company states that if ingested by your pet, you should still call your vet.

The Coleman Pressure Activated Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad promises to stay at least 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature, so your pet is never too hot. It requires no freezing as it’s activated by the pressure of your cat laying on it, and the cooling gel is non-toxic. You can store it easily, and the best part? Clean-up is a breeze; all that’s required is a quick wipe down!

You can use this mat on its own, in a pet carrier, in the car — practically everywhere!

This dual-purpose Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft Cooling and Microwave Heating Gel Pad keeps your kitty cool during the summer and warm during the winter. However, this one does require minor work on your part, as you’ll need to refrigerate it to keep it cool. It has a cozy fleece cover so your cat will want to snuggle in, and is filled with non-toxic gel. Keeping it clean won’t be difficult since you merely need to remove the fleece cover and toss it in the wash, then wipe down the gel part if needed. In fact, this cooling mat is so good that the ASPCA has purchased over 250 of them for use at shelters.

This product includes a money-back guarantee, so if you or your pet aren’t satisfied, you can return it easily.

The SEIS Ice Pad Cat Cooling Mat works via the use of jade cold element crystal, which absorbs heat away from your pet’s body. The pad is soft and smooth, making it an excellent place for your cat to chill, while the bottom is a breathable mesh. The materials are also resistant to wear and tear, so kitties can scratch away without doing too much damage. You can wash this pad quite easily in the washing machine or by hand (just don’t use hot water!). Afterward, you’ll need to let it air dry, just not in direct sun.

With over 20 years of experience creating pet products, you’ll have no trouble getting info on K&H and the K&H Pet Products Cool Bed III. This cooling mat comes in small, medium, and large, so you can use it for a single cat or many. There are no gels with this one—just fill it with water. The mat draws heat away from your pet’s body and releases it into the air so they’re kept nice and cool. K&H says the mat is perfect for pets suffering from arthritis or hip dysplasia, so this could work well if you have an older kitty.

Recommended for temperatures 100 degrees and under.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Cooling Pad & Mat

How Does A Cooling Pad For Cats Work?

A cat cooling pad is made of multiple layers, one of which is often gel but may also be water or fabric crystals. The majority require no plugging in, and many don’t even require refrigeration. So, how do most work? Thermodynamics! Or, to be more exact, a principle called endothermic. Essentially, a cat lays down on the pad, then that pressure activates the cooling agent, which sucks away body heat, making the cat less heated. And when the cat walks away, the pad goes back to room temperature over the course of a half-hour or more. Other pads may require you to put water into it and then freeze or refrigerate, however.

Are Cooling Pads Safe?

Yes! The main concerns with cooling pads are regarding the gels used. While these are non-toxic, they still could upset your pet’s stomach if ingested (and checking with your vet if this occurs is always recommended!). If your cat loves to chew or rip things to shreds, you might want to go with a non-gel option.

Does My Cat Need One?

Depends on where you live, for starters. If you’re hanging out in Alaska, probably not, but if you’re located in Florida, you might want a cool place for your cat to laze about, especially if they’re acting restless or excessively grooming in an effort to cool down.

How to Get Your Cat to Use a Cooling Pad

Cats are finicky creatures and don’t always take to new things. If that occurs, you might have to tempt them into using the cooling pad. The quickest way to do so is by placing something that already has their (or your) scent onto the bed so they’re more inclined to get near it. Just don’t use something that covers up the entire pad—doing so may mean they won’t end up realizing the pad is a cool place to hang out on hot days. You may also want to try enticing them with a treat or two placed on the mat.

Types of Cooling Pads

There are a few types of cooling pads you can get for your cat, depending on what level of ease of use you’re looking for.

Gel

This type of cooling pad is the most common and the most popular for pet owners. Some pads cool themselves, while others require being put into the fridge before use. The biggest pro of gel-based cooling pads is their durability. Downsides include some pets finding the squish factor uncomfortable and the risk of a pet ingesting the gel.

Water-Based

Cooling pads that use water are kind of similar to waterbeds. They involve putting water inside the pad and then usually refrigerating or freezing (though not always). The biggest plus of this type of pad is the cost, as they’re generally cheaper than other kinds of cooling pads. The cons include them being heavy (due to the water) and prone to springing leaks.

Fabric Crystals

This type of cooling pad involves a Japanese technology of three layers — a mesh base, a middle with fabric crystals, and a thin silky top later that often includes jade for an extra boost of cooling. The pros of fabric crystals include the cost, the ease of moving a lightweight pad around, and faster absorption of heat. The downside is this cooling pad may not be the best for extreme heat.

What to Look for in a Cat Cooling Pad

When it comes to buying a cat cooling pad that’s a good fit, you’ll want to look at the following to make your decision.

Method of Cooling

How does the cooling pad actually cool? Some pads will have a gel in them that whisks away heat, while others might require water and/or refrigeration. Still, others may require being plugged in. All of these options will work, but you’ll need to decide how much work you want to do to get them to operate.

Length of Cooling Time

How long a cooling pad stays cool should be a significant factor in your choice. Many pads will remain cool for up to 3 hours at a time, but others will last much less. Your cat should be able to stay nice and chill without you having to take the pad away too often to get it cool again.

Recharging Time

Most mats will need some recharging time after they turn more warm than cool. You’ll want to look for one that recharges in 20 minutes or less, ideally.

Material & Size

Cooling pads come in a range of materials—both for the inside and outside. As far as how a pad or mat cools, you’ll find most use gels, water or ice, or fabric crystals. A few may use aluminum. Gels and crystals tend to be non-toxic, but if your cat is liable to chew or scratch at the pad, you may want to choose water or ice. The outside of a mat can range from fabric to plastic. For this, you’ll want to look at durability.

The size of a cat cooling pad is also important. If you have a single cat, you can go with a smaller size (unless your cat enjoys lounging on oversized objects). With more than one cat, a larger size would be a better fit.

Cleaning Method

How much time do you want to devote to cleaning your cat’s cooling pad? The majority of mats and pads will be relatively easy to clean with methods of cleaning ranging from a simple toss in the wash to hosing down with water.

Reviews

It’s always best to check out reviews of a product to ensure it does what it says it does and to ensure a brand has good customer service and warranties.

Conclusion

You want to get your furry friend the best when it comes to cat cooling pads, and we find the best overall pad to be The Green Pet Shop Pressure-Activated Gel Cooling Mat for its ease of use and long-lasting coolness. If you want the best at an affordable price, we recommend the NACOCO Pet Cooling Mat. Finally, if you want a cooling pad that’s premium, we recommend the CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat with its FlexiFreeze center. Regardless of your choice, we hope this quick list of reviews has helped!