Summer, hot weather, heat spells—all of us, including our pets, need relief from high temperatures. Dogs rely on panting to release heat, and they can’t sweat the way humans do, so a consistently cool surface can help them regulate safe body temperatures indoors or out. Cooling dog beds can help.
Cooling beds are typically recommended for:
- Older dogs
- Large breeds
- Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds
- Thick coated dog
Any dogs in uncomfortably hot weather
Best Cooling Beds for Dogs
| Product and Maker | Best for | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed | Indoor/outdoor use | $35 - $50 | Cools with air circulation, sturdy hammock style, 4 sizes |
| Coolaroo On-The-Go Elevated Dog Bed | Travel, activities | $50 - $60 | Cools with air circulation, collapsible version, 3 sizes |
| K&H All Season Pet Cost | Indoor/outdoor use | $45 - $100 | Cools with air circulation, sturdy hammock style, 4 sizes |
| Arf Pets Self Cooling Mat | Crates, travel | $30 - $40 | Cools with pressure-activated gel, thin mat, 2 sizes |
| Green Pet Cool Gel Pad | Indoor use | $25 - $85 | Cools with pressure-activated gel, cover (sold separately) adds cushioning, 5 sizes |
| K&H Cool Bed III | Indoor/outdoor use | $40 - $60 | Water bed, supportive, 3 sizes |
| Cooler Dog Hydro Cooling Mat | Indoor/outdoor use | $40 - $55 | Cools with ice, insulating foam, 2 sizes |
| Pelsbarn Cooling Dog Bed | Indoor/outdoor use | $135 - $213 | Cools with “ice silk” fabric, comfortable bed, 4 sizes |
| Vivifying Cooling Blanket | Indoor/outdoor use | $50 - $60 | Cools with “ice silk” fabric, reversible blanket, 2 sizes |
Top Elevated Cooling Cots for Dogs
Raised cooling beds are popular because they keep dogs off the hot ground, allow air to circulate through the cots’ mesh floors, and provide support that relieves stress on canine joints. Cooling cots work well on patios, decks, and in shady outdoor areas. Made with sturdy fabrics, most cooling cots are easy to clean with a garden hose. The manufacturers’ websites provide detailed information about sizing, color choices, assembly instructions, warrantees, and routine care.
Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed
In 1951, the Australian company that became Coolaroo made knitted shade cloth to protect plants from sun and wind exposure. For the past 50 years, Coolaroo has been a leading brand for sustainable sun protection fabrics for people and pets.
The Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed feels 15°F cooler than traditional fabrics and accommodates dogs weighing up to 150 pounds. Its mildew-resistant high-density polythene (HDPE) fabric comes with a 5-year warranty against cracks, splits, or tears from ultraviolet light degeneration, and its powder-coated stainless steel bed frame has a 1-year warranty. Coolaroo’s fabric is GreenGuard certified for low chemical emissions. The Coolaroo bed is low to the ground for easy access and assembles without tools, although not all users agree that the assembly is easy.
Size small (35x22x8 inches) fits dogs weighing up to 50 pounds; size medium (42×25.5×8 inches) fits dogs weighing up to 75 pounds; size large (51×31.5×8 inches) fits dogs weighing up to 100 pounds; and size extra large (60x37x8 inches) fits dogs weighing up to 150 pounds. Prices range from $35 to $50, and the cots come in green, grey, and brown.
Coolaroo On-The-Go Elevated Dog Bed
The original Coolaroo cooling bed is not collapsible, but Coolaroo’s On-The-Go Elevated Dog Bed breaks down quickly for travel. They are available in small, medium, and large sizes in green, grey, tan, or blue. Prices range from $50 to $60.
K&H All Season Pet Cot
The K&H All Season Pet Cot, which has a 1-year warranty, assembles easily for use during travel or at home. Its removeable all-season mesh cover can be machine washed, and replacement covers are easy to install. The cot’s sturdy, lightweight metal frame’s slip-resistant rubber feet protect floor surfaces. K&H has been making pet products for 25 years.
The medium size cot (32x25x7 inches) is recommended for Bulldogs, Boxers, Australian Shepherds, Blue Heelers, Basset Hounds, Beagles, and similar breeds. Size large (42x30x7 inches) fits Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and other large breeds. Size extra large (50x32x9 inches) works well for German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Malamutes, Akitas, and similar breeds, and the Jumbo cot (56x38x9) accommodates Great Danes, Mastiffs, Leonbergers, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, and other dogs weighing up to 300 pounds.
The cots come in blue, brown, green, grey, natural, or red. Prices range from $45 to $100.
Best Gel Pads or Beds for Dogs
Gel-based cooling beds are self-cooling or pressure-activated and do not require filling, electricity, or pre-chilling. Relatively light, often foldable, and convenient for travel, gel beds work well in crates and cars. Compared to most water mats, gel beds stay cool and regulate temperature for longer periods.
The downside of gel beds is the risk of punctures from chewing puppies or encounters with sharp objects that can cause a mat to leak and fail. Many brands claim to contain non-toxic gel, but ingestion by chewers is still a concern. While small-sized gel pads are light in weight, large sizes can be heavy.
Arf Pets Self-Cooling Mat
Arf Pets manufactures gel-based cooling mats and accessories, including a Self-Cooling Liquid Gel Pad that keeps pets cool for up to three hours and recharges in 15 to 20 minutes of non-use. This mat is recommended for hot weather, ailing dogs, and pets recovering from surgery or experiencing stress, swelling, or irritating skin conditions.
Designed for indoor and outdoor use, the mat is puncture-resistant, soft, comfortable, easy to clean, and effective in crates and cars. It comes in two sizes, 20×35 inches ($30) or 32×38 inches ($40). All Arf mats are blue.
Green Pet Cool Gel Pad
The Green Pet Cool Gel Pad is pressure-activated and cools for three hours before automatically recharging. The mat comes in five sizes: Extra Small (11.8×15.7 inches, for dogs weighing 0 to 8 pounds); Small (15.7×19.7 inches, for 9-20 pound dogs); Medium (20×30 inches, for 21-45 pound dogs; Large (23.6×35 inches for dogs weighing 46 to 80 pounds); and Extra Large (27.5×43.3 inches) for dogs over 80 pounds. This mat’s recommended use is indoors in a shaded, temperature-controlled environment. Do not leave it in a hot car or direct sunlight.
Cooling Canine Water Beds
K&H Cool Bed III
The K&H Cool Bed III features a nylon/vinyl exterior, easy-to-use water filling mechanism, and a comfortable size and shape for indoor and outdoor use. Recommended for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, excessive panting, and other symptoms that improve with cool temperatures, the Cool Bed III is available in size Small (24x17x2 inches, requiring 1 to 1-1/2 gallons of water to fill), Medium (32x22x2 inches, requiring 2 to 3 gallons of water), and Large (44x32x2 inches, requiring 4 to 6 gallons of water).
According to the K&H website, the Cool Bed III radiates heat back into the air or the floor surface to keep a dog cool by absorbing the dog’s natural body temperature and converting it to room temperature, which is normally much cooler. To help prevent bacterial growth, add grapefruit seed extract to water when filling. Prices range from $40 to $60.
Ice-Based Cooling Mats for Dogs
CoolerDog Hydro Cooling Mat
The Hydro Cooling Mat from Cooler Dog, which uses ice to provide immediate cooling for overheating pets, comes with a 23.5x18x2 inch cover, reusable FlexiFreeze ice sheet containing 88 ice cubes, waterbed cushion, and insulating foam insert. This ice-cooled mat delivers up to 10 times the cooling power of gel pads, so it works well when fast results are needed indoors or out.
Begin by freezing the mat’s ice sheet. When ready to assemble, insert the insulating foam layer in the mat cover’s pocket to prevent heat from the ground from warming the mat. Then insert the frozen ice sheet as a middle layer and add the waterbed cushion to create a comfortable surface. After use, refreeze the ice sheet for next time.
Amazon.com and other retailers sell the standard size Hydro Cooling Mat as a single item ($55) as well as two-packs ($90) and 4-packs ($180). The mats’ snaps attach to each other so buyers can create their own arrangements for medium and large breeds. Additional ice sheets cost $14 per pair. A mini-sized mat measures 18×10.5×1.25 inches and costs $40.
“Ice Silk” Fabric Dog Beds
Ice silk fabric (usually a blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex) conducts heat faster and more efficiently than most natural fabrics by wicking moisture away from the skin and removing heat through evaporative cooling. Ice silk does not protect against extreme heat on its own but helps prevent overheating when combined with shade, water, and airflow.
Pelsbarn Heat-Relief Bed
Ice silk’s hollow fibers and large surface area make Pelsbarn Heat-Relief Cooling Bed feel cool to the touch. Durable, washable, and easy to clean, the bed has an anti-slip base and 1-year warranty. Its color choices are light blue or beige.
Determine your pet’s size by measuring them from collar to tail and compare that length with the bed’s inner measurements. Size Extra Small/Small measures 28×28 inches (inner) and 39×33 inches (outer) and costs $135. The Medium/Large size measures 34×34 inches (inner) and 45×39 inches (outer) and costs $185. The Extra Large bed measures 36×38 inches (inner) and 51×45 inches (outer) and costs $213.
Vivifying Cooling Blanket for Dogs
The Vivifying Cooling Blanket for Dogs, available since January 2026 and sold at Amazon.com, is a double-sided, reversible, multipurpose blanket that cools hot dogs with layers of ice silk, breathable cotton, and waterproof fabric. Machine washable, the Vivifying blanket is available in two sizes, 30×40 inches ($50) and 40×60 inches ($60). One side uses breathable ice silk cooling fabric for hot days while the other features soft plush velvet for cozy comfort.
