A cooling mat is a comfort extra. It does not replace shade, airflow, fresh water, a cool room and sensible exercise on hot days. Never leave a dog in a parked car. If you think your dog is overheating, treat it as an emergency and call your vet. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. The RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase page on protecting your dog from heatstroke is the place to start.
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Quick pick
- Easiest first purchase: a gel-free fabric mat with nothing to freeze or fill (the Rywell mat in the first card below).
- For hot spells, with more effort: a water-and-ice-sheet mat sized for a small dog (the CoolerDog mat in the second card). It needs freezer space and may take longer to arrive.
- Not a mat: a raised mesh bed lets air move underneath. See our bed guide.
Comparison: cooling mat types
This table compares the general types, not individual products. Check size, materials and care notes on any listing before you buy.
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Gel-free cool-touch fabric mat | No freezing or filling, light to move, and usually washable per the care label | Feel and effect vary by dog and room, and it still needs shade and airflow. Fabric can still be chewed. Some care notes say direct sun can affect the surface |
| Pressure-activated gel mat | Quick to put down, with no fridge or freezer needed | Gel can leak if claws or teeth puncture it, so it does not suit chewers. Check the listed size and thickness |
| Water-and-ice-sheet mat | A freezable sheet inside for the hottest spells, and no gel in the design the listing describes | Needs freezer space and re-freezing between uses. A small mat covers only part of a dog, and imported items can arrive slowly |
| Raised mesh cot or bed | Air under the dog, and no cooling element to puncture | Takes more floor space and is not a mat |
Simple shortlist
Rywell Dog Cooling Mat, Small (60 x 45 cm)
A gel-free fabric mat in the listing's Small size, described as machine or hand washable. It has no gel, nothing to freeze and nothing to fill.
Caveat: The listing title also mentions cats, and it makes cooling and durability claims that we have not verified, so treat them as the seller's claims. A dog that sleeps stretched out may need the next size up. It is sold by a third-party seller and fulfilled by Amazon. The care note says prolonged direct sun can affect the cooling fabric, so use it in shade and follow the care label.
CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat, Mini
A small mat that the listing describes as a three-layer design: a water cushion, a freezable ice sheet and a foam insert, with a machine-washable cover. The listing says the mat is water-based, with no gel.
Caveat: The Mini is 45.7 x 26.7 cm, and the listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 9.07 kg, so it covers a small dog's chest and front half, or the whole body of a very small dog. This item may ship from overseas under Amazon Global Store terms, with slower delivery and different returns and warranty terms. The page showed conflicting seller details when we checked, so read the seller and delivery information before you order. A replacement ice sheet is sold separately.
Pros and cons of a cooling mat
Pros
- Easy to put in a spot your dog already rests
- No power or running costs
- Fabric mats need no freezing or filling
- Washable covers or fabric suit regular cleaning
Cons
- Some dogs ignore a mat or prefer the bare floor
- It does not replace shade, water or a cool room
- Gel can leak if punctured, and chewers can damage any mat
- Ice-sheet mats need freezer space, and small sizes cover only part of a dog
How to use a mat sensibly
- Pick a shaded, ventilated spot. A hallway or tiled floor out of direct sun is a good start. Direct sun is not.
- Let your dog choose. Put the mat down and leave it. Do not force a dog onto it, and keep a cool bare-floor option nearby.
- Watch the first few uses. This matters most with chewers. If your dog chews the mat, stop using it.
- Keep water close by. A bowl of fresh water should always be within reach.
- Clean it as the label says. Wash or wipe it according to the care label, and let it dry fully.
- Do not use a mat in a parked car. A mat does not make it acceptable to leave a dog in a vehicle, even briefly.
Common mistakes
- Buying a mat that is too big for the space or too small for the dog.
- Assuming a mat replaces shade, airflow and fresh water.
- Putting the mat in a sunny patch.
- Leaving a chewer alone with a gel mat.
- Skipping the care label, which can shorten the life of the mat.
Frequently asked questions
Do cooling mats work?
Some dogs like lying on one and some ignore it. We make no claim about how well any mat performs, and we have not tested these products. This is general information, not veterinary advice, so talk to your vet about your own dog.
Should I choose a gel mat or a gel-free mat?
Gel mats can leak if punctured, so they suit a dog that does not chew. A gel-free fabric mat or a water-and-ice-sheet mat removes the gel, but still needs supervision with a chewer.
What size mat suits a small dog?
Measure your dog lying down, both curled and stretched out, and compare that with the listed size. Our crate guide uses the same measuring approach.
Is there a cool indoor activity for a hot day?
Some owners freeze a thin layer of dog-safe food in a freezer-safe lick mat or pot. It is a fun extra, not a heat-safety measure. See our lick mat guide and always keep shade and water first.
When should I call a vet?
Heatstroke is an emergency. If you think your dog is overheating, call your vet straight away, and read the RSPCA Knowledgebase page on heatstroke. For car trips, see our car travel guide.
How we choose
For this guide we compared the main cooling mat types and read the size, material, care and stock information on the two Amazon listings we link. We have not tested these products ourselves, and we have not verified any cooling or durability claims. Check the details on each Amazon page before you buy.
This guide is research-based. We have not hands-on tested these products. We compare manufacturer and listing specifications and general guidance, and any pros, cons and picks are the Small Paw Guide editorial team's own assessment, not test results. We do not show prices or customer feedback, so check the current listing before you buy. See how we work and our affiliate disclosure. The review date for this guide is shown under its title.
Final thought
Treat a mat as one small part of keeping a dog comfortable in summer. Start with shade, water and a cool room, then add a mat if your dog likes it.
Keep reading
- Best Dog Beds for Small Dogs in Australia: Beds and raised beds as an alternative or an addition to a mat.
- Best Dog Crates for Small Dogs in Australian Apartments: Checking airflow and placement if your dog rests in a crate.
- Puppy Essentials Checklist Australia: What to Buy First: Summer extras sit on top of the basic new-puppy list.
- Best Car Seats and Travel Boosters for Small Dogs in Australia (and Car Travel Basics): Car travel basics, including never leaving a dog in a parked car.
- Best Lick Mats and Enrichment for Small Dogs in Australia: Frozen lick mats and pots as a cool indoor activity on hot days.
More in this topic: gear and setup guides, or browse all guides.