What To Know About Cooling Dog Beds
Updated: May 22, 2023
Yes, there are actually beds that can keep your dog cool and prevent heat-related illnesses. Check out our favorite cooling dog beds.
When the temperature rises, veterinarians say providing dogs with a cool place to rest isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s essential to their health. Dog cooling beds are a vet-recommended solution.
High indoor or outdoor temperatures can trigger heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Senior or overweight pups, or those with underlying health conditions or thick coats, can be at higher risk, according Dr. Alejandro Caos, a veterinarian at The Vets. A cooling bed lowers a dog’s core body temperature while offering a comfortable place to rest.
Here’s how cooling dog beds work and key features to consider.
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What Is a Cooling Dog Bed?
One that cools below the ambient temperature or promotes airflow around the dog.
Caos says cooling beds reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. “However, it’s important to always be vigilant and keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and symptoms,” he says. “Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can still occur even with preventative measures in place.”
How Do Cooling Dog Beds Work?
Some are made of a cooling fabric. Others utilize heat-absorbing gels or water. Still others raise your pup off the ground, allowing cool air to circulate around their body.
Types of Cooling Dog Beds
Choosing the best cooling bed comes down to your dog’s size and preferences. Having more than one type of cooling bed may be beneficial.
Cooling fabric dog beds
These are made of fabrics that feel cool to the touch or promote airflow. Materials include breathable mesh, lightweight and moisture-wicking fabrics, or a combination. Cooling fabric beds come in bolster and foam styles.
Cooling gel dog beds
These typically feature a layer of pressure-activated gel that absorbs and dissipates body heat, keeping the surface of the bed cooler. Some require re-cooling the gel in the refrigerator, while others re-cool automatically when not in use. Cooling gel beds come in mat styles, with additional features like plush mesh fabric.
Cooling water dog beds
This type incorporates waterbed cushions, ice sheets and/or insulating fabric. Cooling water dog beds are typically a flat pad style, made with durable fabric that resists damage from a dog’s nails.
Elevated cooling dog beds
Elevated cooling beds prop pups off the ground so air circulates around them. Because they’re made of durable mesh material and PVC or metal, they’re ideal for indoor or outdoor use.
Best Cooling Dog Beds
These top-rated dog beds will keep your dog cool and comfortable all summer long.
The best outdoor cooling dog bed
Unlike other cooling dog beds, the Superjare Elevated Dog Bed comes with a durable UV-light-blocking canopy. It’s made of tough nylon fabric and steel, supports up to 100 pounds and comes in six colors. It can be used indoors, too.
The best cooling dog bed for travel
The Arf Pets Self-Cooling Dog Mat features a pressure-activated solid gel interior that provides a cooling effect without water or electricity. It can stay cool for up to three hours and re-cools on its own in just 15 minutes, making it more efficient than other options. To store, simply wipe it clean and roll it up.
The best cooling dog bed for seniors
The Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed’s cooling gel lowers the body temperature of senior dogs while its orthopedic foam alleviates pressure on their joints. Besides multiple layers of foam and cooling gel, this bolster bed comes with a removable, machine-washable cover, waterproof liner and non-slip base. It’s available in four sizes, from small to extra-large. Discover how an orthopedic dog bed can ease your dog’s sore joints.
Originally Published: May 10, 2023
