How Long Do Dog Cooling Mats Last?

Dog cooling mats are like air conditioners for dogs. They help keep your dog cool on hot summer days by circulating cold water onto the surface of the mat while they lie down or sleep.

Not surprisingly, dogs love them! You’ve most likely seen a dog try and dig their way into your couch cushions when it is hot out–well, this is because they are trying to reach the cool air that is trapped there.

A Dog cooling pads or mat works in a similar way by taking advantage of a naturally occurring phenomenon called evaporative cooling.

The cold water that circulates through the mat naturally evaporates, which helps draw heat away from your dog and keeps them cool.

How do cooling pads work?

Cooling mats are made of special materials that absorb heat and bring your dog’s body temperature down.

The cooling pad is filled with water (or cooling gel) to create an ice-pack effect.

Most of these Dog cooling pads and mats also have a non-slip surface on one side to keep your dog from sliding all over the place.

Various cooling mats are available on the online market, including the Green Pet Shop Dog cooling mat and the Chillz cooling mat.

If you do buy one, you’ll need to know how long these products generally last.

So, let’s start!

How long do dog cooling mats last?

We love our dogs, and we want to give them the best life possible. The average dog lives for about 11 years, so you want to make sure your pet is happy and healthy for as long as possible!

The main question people have when considering using this product is “how long do dog cooling mats last?” Luckily, there are some indications that we can look at before making our final decision.

The answer depends on many different factors, like:

Quality of materials used in manufacturing process (cheap vs expensive)

How often do pets use their mats (daily vs. weekly usage)?

Whether they’re left outdoors on concrete pavement all day long with no shade from trees nearby!

In other words, it largely depends on the dog owner who buys the mats!

For an optimal lifespan though most manufacturers say that a dog cooling pad or mat should last anywhere between 3 to 5 years on average, before needing replacing due to wear-and-tear caused by repeated use over time subjectively judged based off exterior signs such as cracking material which may indicate damage has occurred internally too (we are talking plastic here).

Can I wash the dog cooling mats?

For your convenience, many pet cooling mats are machine-washable. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s the best way of cleaning them.

If you have a pet cooling mat that is labeled machine washable, there are some things you should keep in mind:

• Use a gentle cycle and avoid any settings with strong agitation (low spin) on your washing machine.

• Use a mild laundry detergent with no dyes or scents when washing your dog’s mat in a washing machine (or when hand washing).

• Chemicals can irritate your dog if they come into contact with their skin, so look for products specifically made for pets if possible.

Anything with harsh dyes or scents can also irritate their skin as well as cause allergic reactions in some cases, so even though bleach might seem like an easy solution during those times when stains really set themselves up like concrete (as they do from time to time), we strongly recommend not using bleach on your cooling pet pad under any circumstances!

Laying dog cooling mat out to dry.

• A drying rack or clothesline is ideal for hanging garments, but because of their size and weight, a pet cooling mat should be laid flat to air dry.

• Do not expose your dog’s cooling mat to direct sunlight when drying it. This can cause damage as well, since the cooling gel may absorb the heat and may not serve its purpose any longer.

• Look for a shady area outside where you can leave it to dry completely, or hang it from an overhang like a balcony or porch roof.

Keep it away from damp areas while drying; remember, a pet mat is also designed with absorbent material!

Other ways to keep your dogs cool in summer

Always have fresh, clean water available.

We all need water to survive, which means that water is of the utmost importance to your dog during the hot summer months.

• Make sure their available water is clean by changing it regularly, and check that they have enough if you’re spending the day outside.

• The temperature of the water matters too, so try to keep it cool.

• Dogs need at least 8 ounces of water per 10 pounds of body weight per day, but that number can increase dramatically with high temperatures or strenuous exercise, so make sure you’re giving them enough fresh, cool water!

Keep him sheltered during the hottest part of the day.

During the summer, it’s important to keep your dog indoors when it gets hot. Pay attention to temperature and humidity levels both inside and out, and use fans or air conditioners (or open windows) as appropriate.

• Because a parked car can heat up so quickly, don’t leave your dog in a parked car during warm weather.

Make sure your dog has access to shade.

Make sure your dog has access to shade all day long.

If you are going out for the day, don’t leave your dog outside without shade. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours, the temperature outside can become dangerously hot quickly, and dogs are at risk of heatstroke if they’re left in such conditions.

If you do leave them outside, make sure there are ample areas with shade (such as under trees) where they can cool down whenever they want to escape the sun.

Try a cooling vest.

A cooling vest is designed with a lightweight fabric that draws heat away from your dog’s body through evaporation while they wear it. All you have to do is soak it in water and put it on-easy peasy!

And since taking care of your pup is already enough work for one day, there are no complicated instructions or hard-to-figure-out straps; this convenient accessory makes hot weather a little less intimidating for both you and your furry friend!

The vest comes in several sizes and colors, so there’s sure to be an option for every kind of dog (and dog owner). Whether you’re looking for a simple way to keep your pup from overheating during long walks or just want something cute and functional to add to his summer wardrobe, the cooling vest has you covered.

Get your dog a kiddie pool.

If you have the resources, you may get them a kiddie pool that’s big enough for your dog to stretch out in.

You don’t really need anything huge. Just make sure it will hold their weight when they jump on top of it, and that the sides are high enough for them to get in and out of it easily.

A small plastic play pool won’t be able to hold the weight of an older dog, so steer clear of those—buy a real kiddie pool.

If you can, buy a kiddie pool with a ground cloth underneath it to protect your floors from any leaks or spills (and because you will inevitably spill some water when filling and emptying the pool).

Be aware that your dog might not necessarily take to having their own swimming hole right away; some pups aren’t completely comfortable with playing in water until they’re introduced slowly and gently.

Get a Dog cooling bed.

Try to keep your dog’s body temperature regulated in hot weather. You can also endeavor to get a dog cooling bed.

When a dog is hot and tired, it will have a hard time regulating its body temperature, which is directly related to how active it is.

This is because a dog’s body is made up of 70% water, so if a pup is not able to regulate his body temperature, he will start to overheat.

The cooling dog bed helps a dog regulate his body temperature by inducing a body cooling effect.

A cooling dog bed can also help your pup get better sleep and avoid heat strokes in hot weather.

Keep your dog’s walks short and early or late in the day when it’s cooler outside.

Keep your dog’s walks short and early or late in the day when it’s cooler outside.

Do not walk your dog during the hottest part of the day. If you must, look for shady areas to walk in or stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

When you’re walking or exercising with your dog, avoid hot surfaces like asphalt and blacktop. The heat radiating from these surfaces is enough to burn a dog’s paws and cause discomfort.

The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk of burns.

Provide plenty of fresh water and keep an eye on his level of activity for signs of distress-no one wants their pal to suffer on a summer day!

How can I tell if my dog is too hot?

Does your dog pant?

Dogs do not sweat like humans do instead they pant as a way of releasing heat when they’re hot. If you see your dog panting, this is usually a sign that they are trying to cool themselves down.

Panting in dogs can be an indicator of illness or injury, but it’s also normal for dogs who are exercising.

When the weather is hot or humid, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke such as excessive or heavy panting or drooling, which could indicate that your dog is overheating and needs to be cooled down immediately.

Is your dog drooling?

If you are asking yourself, “Is my dog too hot?” one of the easiest ways to tell is to look at their drool.

That’s right, your dog’s saliva can be a good indicator of how it’s feeling! Remember a dog that has heat stroke will heavily pant, which in return will cause excessive drooling.

However, keep in mind that drooling can also be a sign that something is physically wrong with your pet or an underlying condition, for example in older dogs a growth in their mounts, which can also be cancerous, can cause excessive drooling.

So if you notice an increase in drool, don’t just assume that it means your dog is overheated; take it to the vet just in case.

Has your dog been outside in the sun?

Did you know that, like humans, dogs can be affected by heat exhaustion and sunburn? And like us, they’re also most susceptible when their fur is exposed to direct sunlight. This can happen on walks, hikes in the woods or around town, or while they’re hanging out in your backyard.

As you might imagine, dogs with darker coats tend to have a higher threshold for exposure to sunlight; however, if your dog’s coat is light-colored or has a large amount of white hair (like my bulldog), he should avoid extended periods of time outside in direct sunlight to minimize the risk of sunburn.

To help prevent this, you may endeavor with doggie hats and clothing that keep Fido’s head and body covered while he’s out and about. Not only are they cute–they’re also a great way to protect him from overheating on those hot summer afternoons.

Is your dog laying on his/her back?

You’ve probably seen your dog sprawled on his back during the summer months, soaking up the sun or trying to cool down. If you notice that he is doing this more than he usually does, it could be a sign that he may be hot and needs some water.

Sometimes dogs will lay on their backs in the sun because they are looking to get a tan, but they will also do so if they are feeling too hot. It’s all about using their body heat to regulate their temperature and staying cool.

Is your dog acting lethargic?

One sign of heatstroke is lethargy, which is when your dog isn’t acting the way they normally would. Lethargy can manifest in different ways, but you’ll generally notice that your dog is more tired than usual and less responsive to stimuli.

They may be moving slowly, or not want to get up at all. You might also notice them refusing food or water or lying down even if there’s no reason for them to be sleeping.

If you see any of these signs, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately; a heat stroke can be fatal if left untreated.

Learn about the signs of heatstroke

If you find your dog panting heavily, with a hot, dry nose and thick saliva around the mouth, it may be in the early stages of heat exhaustion. Dogs with long bodies are particularly susceptible to overheating.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, cool him down as soon as possible. You can do this by spraying his face with water, wetting his stomach with a damp towel or letting him drink some cold water.

Move your dog to a shady area so he can relax and recover from the heat. If you’re on a long walk in the sun, take frequent breaks so that he can rest under shade or inside an air conditioned building. It’s good practice to bring plenty of water along for both of you when traveling in the summertime.