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Dogs can easily overheat in warm weather, especially larger or double-coated breeds. A cooling bed gives your dog a comfortable place to rest while helping regulate body temperature.
Below are 7 of the best cooling beds for dogs, including elevated cots, gel mats, and orthopedic options. Each pick is chosen for its cooling power, comfort, and durability.
Table of Contents
Top 7 Best Cooling Beds For Dogs
Here are 7 top-rated cooling beds to help keep your dog comfortable in warm weather.
1. Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed
With over 7 inches of ground clearance and breathable mesh fabric, the Coolaroo offers excellent airflow to keep dogs cool in hot weather.
Its lightweight, durable frame supports up to 100 lbs and makes it a great option for large dogs, outdoor use, and on-the-go cooling, whether at the campsite, cottage, or backyard.
Why It's Great:
- Raised 7 inches off the ground for airflow
- Breathable, mold and mildew-resistant fabric
- Lightweight steel frame supports up to 100 lbs
- Great for indoor/outdoor use and travel
- Replacement covers available
- Excellent airflow
- Easy to clean with a hose
- Durable and travel-friendly
- Fabric may feel rough
- Not ideal for dogs who dislike raised beds
2. Chillz Dog Cooling Mat
This lightweight, pressure-activated cooling mat offers instant relief without electricity or water. It’s easy to fold and use anywhere, making it ideal for travel, crate use, or senior dogs who need low-effort cooling.
Why It's Great:
- Pressure-activated gel cools for up to 3 hours
- Automatically recharges in 15–20 minutes
- Lightweight, foldable design for easy travel
- Non-toxic and available in 3 sizes
- Comes with its own storage bag
- Instant cooling on contact
- Great for travel, crates, or car rides
- Wipes clean easily
- Not chew-proof
- May develop creases if not stored flat
3. Arf Pets Solid Gel Dog Cooling Mat
Unlike other gel mats, this solid gel design won’t leak or bunch up, providing consistent cooling for up to 3 hours.
It’s lightweight, foldable, and made with durable, puncture-resistant nylon, perfect for active dogs and easy maintenance without electricity or water.
Why It's Great:
- Solid gel stays evenly distributed, no leaks or clumping
- Provides up to 3 hours of cooling, recharges in 15–20 mins
- Thick, puncture-resistant nylon cover
- Folds easily for storage or travel
- Durable and long-lasting design
- Better support than thinner gel mats
- Wipes clean with ease
- Slippery surface for some dogs
- Not ideal for determined chewers
4. Bedsure Elevated Dog Bed
Similar to the Coolaroo, the Bedsure bed raises dogs off the ground to promote airflow, but it offers a sturdier metal frame with non-slip feet and a durable Teslin mesh fabric. This makes it especially suited for larger breeds and dogs needing extra joint support, while also being more stable for indoor and outdoor use.
Why It's Great:
- 8" elevation improves airflow and keeps dogs cool
- Tear-resistant Teslin mesh and rust-resistant frame
- Non-slip feet and easy tool-included assembly
- Designed for indoor and outdoor use
- Supports larger dogs comfortably
- Durable, breathable, and easy to clean
- Great for camping or outdoor lounging
- No replacement covers available
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
5. Dogbed4less Orthopedic Cooling Bed
Built with 4 inches of gel-infused memory foam, the Dogbed4less bed delivers both cooling relief and solid orthopedic support year-round.
It’s a great fit for dogs with joint or mobility issues and features a flat, bolster-free surface for dogs who like to stretch out. The durable cover is washable, making it a practical option for everyday use.
Why It's Great:
- 4" gel-infused memory foam offers cooling and joint support
- Waterproof liner and washable suede cover
- Hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, dust mites, and bacteria
- Flat, stretch-out-friendly design with durable stitching
- Solid orthopedic support for seniors or dogs with joint pain
- Holds shape and support over time
- Easy to clean and built to last
- Not for chewers or diggers
- Zipper on internal liner could be stronger
6. Furhaven Cooling Gel Dog Bed
Designed in a sofa style, the Furhaven bed features a cooling gel foam top and a supportive base to help regulate temperature and keep larger dogs comfortable.
It’s best for pups who don’t need firm orthopedic support. The removable quilted cover is easy to clean, making it a convenient option for everyday lounging.
Why It's Great:
- Cooling gel foam top layer helps regulate temperature
- 4" supportive base with soft, removable bolsters
- Quilted cover is breathable and machine washable
- Cozy sofa-style design, great for lounging
- Comfortable for dogs who like to sprawl or rest their heads
- Cooler than traditional foam beds; ideal for long-haired breeds
- Easy to clean and available in large sizes
- Lacks waterproof liner
- Cover may tear with scratching or chewing
- Bolsters use shredded foam, not solid support
7. K&H Pet Products Coolin’ Comfort Orthopedic Cooling Mat
Using water instead of gel or electricity, this mat provides lasting, chemical-free cooling with a thick orthopedic foam core for added support. It’s durable, easy to clean, and ideal for dogs needing joint relief, though it works best in shaded or cool indoor spots to maintain its cooling effect.
Why It's Great:
- Uses water for cooling; no gel or electricity needed
- Thick orthopedic foam provides extra support
- Durable nylon/vinyl cover is easy to wipe clean
- Refillable and long-lasting with proper care
- Eco-friendly and chemical-free cooling
- Cushioned enough for large dogs
- Never dries out like gel mats
- Heavy when filled
- Can puncture if placed near sharp objects
- Not suited for chewers
What To Look For In A Cooling Dog Bed
Here’s what to consider when picking the right cooling bed for your dog:
- Cooling Method: Choose gel, water, or airflow-based designs to help regulate body temperature.
- Size: Pick a bed that fits your dog’s weight and sleeping style for effective cooling and comfort.
- Durability: Look for tough, chew- and scratch-resistant materials that hold up over time.
- Support: Orthopedic foam is best for senior dogs or those with joint pain.
- Ease of Cleaning: Beds with washable covers or wipeable surfaces are easier to maintain.
- Portability: Lightweight, foldable designs work well for travel or outdoor use.
- Safety: Non-toxic materials and non-slip bottoms help keep your dog safe while resting.
FAQs About Cooling Beds For Dogs
Have questions about cooling beds? Here are quick answers to the most common ones.
1. Do Dog Cooling Beds Really Work?
Yes. They draw heat away from your dog’s body using gel, water, or air circulation to help prevent overheating.
2. How Long Do Cooling Beds Stay Cool?
Gel beds typically stay cool for up to 3 hours and recharge within 15–20 minutes. Water-based and elevated beds can stay cooler longer, depending on the environment.
3. Can My Dog Use A Cooling Bed All Day?
Yes, but supervision is important, especially for puppies or chewers. Rotate use if needed to prevent wear.
4. Are Cooling Beds Safe?
Most are made from non-toxic, pet-safe materials. Always inspect for damage, especially with gel or water-filled beds.
5. What Breeds Benefit Most From Cooling Beds?
Dogs with thick coats or flat faces, like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Bulldogs, and senior dogs, are more prone to heatstroke and benefit most from a cooling bed. But any dog can enjoy a cooler place to rest in hot weather.
Final Thoughts
The best cooling beds for dogs offer comfort, joint support, and relief from summer heat. Whether you go with an elevated cot, gel mat, or orthopedic option, there’s a bed here to suit your dog’s needs and daily routine.
Top Picks Recap:
- Best Overall: Coolaroo Elevated Bed
- Best Gel Mat: Chillz Cooling Mat
- Best Orthopedic: Dogbed4less Cooling Bed
Each of these picks helps make hot days more manageable, so your dog can rest easy no matter the temperature.
Looking for more ways to help your dog stay cool? Check out my guide to the best dog pools for large breeds for another fun way to beat the heat.
Hi, I’m Jenny, the owner and content creator of First Time Dog Mom. As the proud owner of Ellie, my senior Golden Retriever, I share the insights and tips I’ve learned through my own experiences as a dog mom. With a lifelong love of animals, I hope to be a helpful resource for others navigating the joys and challenges of pet parenthood.
Hi Jenny, what a lovely expanded article on cooling beds for dogs, I was just wondering if these really could help with cooling down my golden retriever?
The cooling bed number 3 looks like the most interesting for my dog, as it also has orthopedic support for my dog’s arthritis hips. Thank you for these reviews!
Hi Lizzy,
I’m sure you’ve noticed that when it gets hot outside, your Golden Retriever tries to find the coolest spot to lie down. Usually, that spot is a hard floor surface like kitchen tiles, which is not ideal especially for dogs with joint issues as there is no cushioning support.
This is why a cooling bed is so much better! Cooling beds work by absorbing and dissipating your dog’s body heat, your dog in return will be cool and comfortable and his body temperature will be regulated. Plus, the cooling bed, whether it’s a cooling mat, elevated bed, or orthopedic gel-infused bed, will provide support and keep him off the hard floor.
The best part of the orthopedic beds that are gel-infused is that your dog can enjoy the bed year-round, as it will keep him cool when it’s hot out, and warm when it’s cold out. These beds are great for dogs with arthritis!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it!
Jenny.
I really wish I would’ve found this post sooner. It’s been so hot lately (regardless that I live on an island where it’s basically hot all year long), I have yet to try one of these cooling beds because I honestly thought that they were not going to do their specific function. I’m glad to have come around this piece and might as well get my pup, Olivia, one of these cooling beds.
Hi Stephanie,
It has definitely been hot this summer! We are feeling the heat here in Canada as well, especially my Golden Retriever who prefers winter!
Cooling beds really do work, they do a great job of quickly cooling down your dog. I am sure Olivia would enjoy one of these cooling beds to beat the heat! Many people actually use a dog cooling bed for themselves too! Why not?!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Jenny.
Hi Jenny!
I am so pleased I found your site! I have a Neo Mastiff named Bear! He doesn’t cope too well in the heat! He has an innerspring mattress dog bed. But in the summer he favours the garage floor and I guess that’s because it’s cooler!
I am seriously thinking about the Chillz Pressure Activated Gel Cooling Mat. Now that many of the Covid restrictions have been lifted. We’re thinking about taking a family vacation this summer. The only concern I have about this dog cooling bed is the size. Bear is 70 kg lol! I was wondering if you had any idea as to whether I could potentially join 2 together?
Thank you so much Jenny for your reviews as I always have trouble buying things for Bear! Lol
Shelley
Hi Shelley,
A family vacation sounds nice, especially after all we have been through with Covid!
One of the cons listed for the Chillz Pressure Mat was that the large size was not large enough for a Golden Retriever.
I honestly believe that the Arf Pets Solid gel Cooling Mat would be the best option for your dog Bear. It is a solid gel, meaning it won’t spread out thin. It will keep its thickness and cooling ability.
You could absolutely put 2 of these mats together, I wouldn’t suggest sewing them or anything like that, but perhaps tape them together with duct tape? Or just lay them down together for your dog to enjoy.
I can imagine the difficulty buying things for large/xl dogs, so many items are geared towards small dogs.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy your family vacation!
Jenny.
These products are amazing! It will be very hard to choose the best one for my dog.. I’ve got a little pincher. Very active and doesn’t lie down that much. But in the summer temperatures get up to 44°C here. I was also wondering, as dogs probably also have their own inner regulator when it comes down to temperatures. Is it good for them to cool down with an aid?
Hi Virendra,
Great question. Many dogs become uncomfortable when it gets hot outside. They will pant in order to cool themselves off, panting does eventually cool them off but it takes a long time. All of that panting can lead to dehydration. A cooling bed is helpful because it allows your dog to cool off quickly, reducing all of that panting and making your dog much more comfortable.
Cooling beds that are infused with cooling gel or water work to absorb the heat away from your dog’s body and release it into the air. Once your dog is cooled off and comfortable, he/she will likely move to another spot. This is when the cooling bed recharges itself.
An elevated bed works differently by raising your dog off the floor and allowing air to flow all around your dog’s body. Heat is able to escape from your dog, keeping his body temperature regulated.
I hope this has answered your question. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
Hi Jenny,
We recently adopted a new family member. A beautiful Golden Retriever. Her name is Zoey. She was abused and neglected by her first human. She was kept in an unheated and dark barn for her first two years. She had very little human contact and competed for food with many other unfortunate dogs. All of which have found their own forever homes. But this girl gets overheated even on the coldest of days. We know that shaving is not an option for a Golden, so we were looking into cooling mats. Your research into this subject was so informative and well done. We looked into your number one choice and ordered one. We just wanted to reach out and thank you. Most importantly…Zoey thanks you as well. 🙂
Hi Joe,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. As a loving dog owner to a Golden Retriever, I just cannot understand how someone can treat such a loving dog so horribly! Unfortunately, it happens all the time and it is so heartbreaking. I am so happy that you have been able to provide a loving environment to Zoey, you will be able to share many wonderful and happy moments with her and she will provide you with so much love and joy. Golden Retrievers are such great dogs.
I am glad to hear that my review of cooling beds has been helpful to you. I am sure that Zoey will find relief and comfort in her new cooling mat.
Thank you again for taking the time to comment. I wish you and Zoey all the best.
Jenny.
I appreciate this. This is very educative and timely. You are right; the temperature is on the rise. I have a Lhasa apso dog, that has become an important ‘member’ of the family for the past three years. I have not been paying much attention to this. The dog lies always on the bare floor, I guess his fur is helping in this regard. I would need to get him a cooling bed in this regards. I’m rooting for the elevated dog bed by Paws and Pals. My dog weighs less than 16 pounds and he has become an important member of the family that travels with us.
Hi Tolu,
Thank you for commenting. Dogs quickly become an important part of the family, and we always want what is best for them. The elevated dog bed by Paws and Pals would be a great choice for your dog. As I mentioned in my review this bed is ideal for small to medium sized dogs. Your dog would enjoy the air flow all around, and it would certainly keep him cool. This bed is great for travel too, as it is lightweight.
All the best,
Jenny.
In the first instance after seeing the title of your post, I first wondered to myself, why would a dog need a cooling bed? (smiles) but after reading your article I have really been convinced that our pet dogs really need cooling beds indeed. I think among all the cooling beds you listed, my most preferred is “Sealy Lux Quad Layer Orthopedic Dog Bed With Cooling Gel” based on its head and neck support features. This post has really been informative and educative. Thanks.
Hi Dapoach,
There are many people that would have the same thought as you, why would a dog need a cooling bed? A dog wears a fur coat all year round, and in the hotter months dogs really suffer and overheat quickly. They pant in order to cool themselves off, and all that panting causes dehydration.
Cooling beds are a great way to regulate your dog’s body temperature. Many people don’t have air conditioning, and temperatures really soar. A cooling bed offers relief from the heat, and provides cushioning support to senior dogs, and dogs who suffer from joint issues.
Your preferred bed is the Sealy one, which is an orthopedic cooling bed. I like this one too, because it is great for all year long. This bed keeps your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It offers plenty of support and cushioning, and the bolsters are great for head and neck support.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
Thanks for sharing this article on the 7 best cooling beds for a dog. I must say that your article is really informative and rich in information needed on how to give comfort to my dog. Dogs are amazing pets and they are to be cared for as spring is here. All the listed cooling beds are nice but I think The Green Pet Shop Dog Cooling Mat is appealing to me because it is lightweight, and folds easily, making it ideal for travel and also price is affordable. This article is really informative. I have bookmarked this page for further reading. Thanks for sharing this article.
Hi Achievers,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Many people love The Green Pet Shop Dog Cooling Mat, for the same reasons that you mentioned. It is very convenient for travel, and it is at an affordable price point. Dogs deserve the very best, and when the temperatures get hot and uncomfortable for them, it is up to us to make their lives more comfortable.
Take care,
Jenny.
I absolutely love what I read in this insightful article because it is full of great information. This is fascinating and interesting to me. I’m a big fan of dogs, dogs deserve to be treated in a good way. This article highlighted different types of cooling beds and what we should consider when selecting a bed for our dog.
The Green Pet Shop Dog Cooling Mat is my choice of mat for my dog. Love its features and read through its pros and cons. Thanks for this educative review. Regards
Hi Adamu,
I am so glad you found my review helpful when choosing a cooling bed for your dog. The Green Pet Shop Dog Cooling Mat is a great choice. It is definitely a popular one, and many dog owners love it.
Thanks for your comment.
Jenny.
I like this, I like anything that can help make my pet’s life more comfortable, they are very loyal and we need to give back the love they give to us.
After reading about some of the benefits of a cooling bed, I think it is a big necessity for all dogs, especially during this hot season.
Number 2 is my favorite, It just looks much more comfortable.
Thanks for this awesome review.
I was wondering is there some type of food that is best for dogs during hot season ?
Hi Etah,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. A cooling bed is very beneficial to not only dogs but to cats too. I am glad you enjoyed my review. To answer your question, there is no particular food that is best for dogs during the hot season. Some dogs tend to lose their appetite, or not eat as much when it is so hot outside. It is important to keep your dog comfortable and cool during the hotter temperatures, and have plenty of fresh cool water available. There are many frozen treats that you can offer your dog in the summer, many of them you can make yourself. There are many dog friendly recipes available on the internet, Pinterest has some great ideas as well.
I hope this helps you out.
Jenny.
Hi Jenny,
This is an outstanding article! I’m no longer a pet / dog owner but EVERY friend I have is! I will certainly be directing them to your site.
While reading your article I was also trying to decide which bed would be preferable and was leaning strongly toward the elevated beds. What an awesome idea – especially considering the heat we typically have here in the mid-west so I was a little surprised when the winner was the Arf Pets self cooling mat. However, after a second reading you make a sound argument and I would have to agree. Good air circulation is only one factor. A mat that is easy to clean, comfortable and portable is a combination not easily found!
Thank you for sharing this awesome information and should I decide to become a dog owner again, I know where to find the latest and most practical information!
Hi Susan,
I am glad you enjoyed my article. Elevated beds are certainly a great choice, and many of them can easily be folded up and taken with you when you travel. They are easy to clean too, you just spray them with a hose.
I chose the Arf Pets self cooling mat as the winner because of its cooling power and the fact that it is a solid gel mat, and lasts a long time. Any of the beds that I have reviewed would be a great choice, but every dog is different, and will have their preferred bed for keeping cool.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Jenny.
I am super excited that I came across your site. We have our first dog, and there are a million things that I have no idea about when it comes to dogs. Thank God for the internet, it’s an absolutely wonderful tool and finding sites like yours with great information is amazing. I honestly did not know that you shouldn’t shave a dog’s fur in the summer, and I never heard of a cooling bed. I can see why they are necessary. Thank you for the best cooling beds for dogs review!
Hi Babsie,
As a first time dog mom myself, I have learned so much! There is a wealth of knowledge on the internet, as well as a lot of misleading information. That is why I created this site, to help other first time dog owners with the many struggles and challenges that I have come across.
So many dog owners think they are doing their dog a favour by shaving their fur in the summer. This actually does more harm to the dog, especially if the dog has a double-coat. I hope you were able to check out my article on why shaving a dog is a bad idea. If not here is the link again. Grooming A Golden Retriever In The Summer – What Not To Do.
Cooling beds are really great for dogs, they offer cushioning and support to the dog instead of laying on the hard floor, and they keep them cool.
I am glad you enjoyed my review, and thank you for commenting.
Jenny.