The dog days of summer are here—along with record-high temperatures and the increasingly difficult task of keeping your pup cool. Cooling dog beds offer a welcome reprieve: The best ones use special features like breathable fabrics and cooling gels to keep dogs comfortable. The K&H Original Bolster Pet Cot is our pick for the best cooling dog bed overall, thanks to its elevated design and airy mesh fabric. The portable Green Pet Shop Pet Pad is our favorite cooling dog mat; it uses a pressure-activated, nontoxic gel to help lower your pup’s temperature.
Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat. Instead, “they pant to release heat and regulate their body temperature,” says Alexandra Bassett, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Los Angeles-based pet training business Dog Savvy. Cooling beds and mats give dogs an extra tool to cope with the heat. Some popular styles include elevated cots, gel- or water-filled mats, and gel-infused foam beds. We selected the best cooling dog bed in eight categories below, based on in-depth research, expert feedback, and pup and owner preferences.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s seasoned home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best pet gear you can buy today.
- We’ve published dozens of expert-backed roundups on pet gear and accessories. These include our tested review of on best dog beds, as well as the best orthopedic dog beds, outdoor dog beds, dog beds for chewers and more.
- The author of this piece, Camryn Rabideau, is a regular contributor and pet owner, who has covered home and pet-related topics for several years. For Forbes Vetted, she’s written about everything from the best dog food delivery services to the top calming treats for dogs.
- Managing editor Emmy Favilla, who edited this story, is a dog owner and active dog companion volunteer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. Our in-house pet expert, she has worked in animal welfare for two decades and is the author of Pet Peeves, our monthly pet advice column.
- To inform this story, we used key insights from certified dog trainer Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA. Bassett is a behavior consultant at Dog Savvy, a dog training service based in Los Angeles.
- We regularly review this story for accuracy and relevance; it was last updated in July 2024 by Forbes Vetted pets writer Fran Sales.
How We Chose The Best Cooling Dog Beds
To find the best cooling dog beds for your pet, we closely compared and evaluated the features of several best-selling models and asked an industry expert for product recommendations and specific criteria of what to look for.
- Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands and retailers, such as K&H Pet Products, Green Pet Shop and Frisco by Chewy.
- We analyzed a variety of important elements to help pet owners find the best cooling dog bed for their pup’s needs, including the bed’s materials, size range, and cushioning and cooling features.
- Using guidance from our dog expert, we looked for beds that used breathable materials or additional cooling mechanisms, like a gel-filled interior.
- We also evaluated dozens of customer reviews, taking each product’s average star rating into careful account. We stuck with models with a cumulative average rating of 4 stars or above—and noted any common criticisms, if any.
What To Look For In The Best Cooling Dog Beds
Type
There are multiple styles of cooling dog beds, including elevated cots, cooling mats and beds with gel-infused foam. “Elevated cots allow cool air to wick heat away from a dog’s body and work especially well if kept near a fan or somewhere shady, away from direct sunlight,” explains Bassett. These beds, like the K&H Original Bolster Pet Cot, can generally be used indoors or outdoors, and they’re a good choice for dogs who like chewing, as they have metal frames.
There are also mats like the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad, which are filled with dog-safe gel. “Cooling mats work by absorbing a dog’s body heat and dissipating it back into the surrounding environment, much like tile or concrete floors,” says Bassett. “They don’t require any electricity or freezing and are activated by pressure and weight.” Some of these mats can also be put in the refrigerator for an extra boost of cooling power, and Bassett also notes that they’re easy to clean and transport, if needed.
Finally, there are regular dog beds like the Frisco Cooling Orthopedic Dog Bed that are made with gel-infused foam—similar to cooling mattresses. These beds don’t necessarily provide a cooling effect, but they allow heat to dissipate to prevent your dog from getting too warm.
Safety
If you opt for a cooling bed that’s filled with some sort of gel, it’s important to carefully monitor your pet while they’re using it. While the materials are typically nontoxic, you’ll still want to make sure your dog doesn’t chew on or dig at the mat, which could pop it and result in leaking.
For dogs who are prone to chewing, you may want to select an elevated cot with a metal frame, which is generally more durable than a foam bed. “If large pieces of the nylon cover are ingested, these could cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, so pet parents must keep an eye on their dog to ensure they don’t claw or chew through the material,” says Bassett.
Size
The majority of cooling dog beds are available in multiple sizes, and you’ll want to select one that’s big enough for your pup. Most brands have size charts that list the breed types and weight range each of their beds can accommodate, but you may also want to compare the dimensions of the bed to the size of your dog. In general, your dog’s bed should be a few inches longer than the length of your pet from nose to the base of their tail.
Do Cooling Beds Work For Dogs?
Cooling dog beds are an effective option to provide relief to your pet on a hot day. For dogs particularly sensitive to heat, you might want to consider a mat filled with cooling gel (like the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad) or one you can refrigerate (such as the Top Paw Blue Paw Print Cooling Pad). “A dog cooling mat should cool for around four to six hours, but this depends on the type of bed and technology within it,” says certified dog trainer Alexandra Bassett. “In very hot conditions—and with a very warm dog—the cooling sensation may only last for a few hours.”
Once the dog pad’s cooling sensation wears off, it will need time to revert back to its original state without your pet lying on it. Some gel-filled options simply need a few minutes undisturbed to “recharge,” while others can be placed in the fridge (or freezer) to speed up the re-cooling process.
What Is The Best Dog Bed For A Hot Summer?
While the best cooling dog bed ultimately depends on your and your dog’s specific needs, we think the elevated K&H Original Bolster Pet Cot is the best bet for most pups. It’s elevated and made with breathable fabric, which encourages optimum airflow. The cot also has bolsters along three sides to give your dog a comfortable place to rest their head. It’s currently available in three sizes, with the largest designed to support 200-plus pounds.
Do Elevated Dog Beds Keep Dogs Cool?
Yes, elevated or raised dog cots help keep dogs cool, according to Bassett—particularly when used outdoors on a sunny day, or indoors if there’s no AC but fans are turned on and windows are open. “Elevated cots allow cool air to wick heat away from a dog’s body,” Basset says, noting they work best away from direct sunlight. The raised dog beds we recommend include the K&H Original Bolster Pet Cot and Coolaroo’s The Original Cooling Elevated Dog Bed.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
