Dogs | Accessories | Health

Best Cooling Mats for Dogs in Australia: Ultimate Guide

When summer really kicks off in Australia, heat moves from a comfort issue to a safety one pretty quickly. Cooling mats are one of the simplest tools in the kit — alongside cooling beds, dog-appropriate sunscreen and even lightweight cooling vests, depending on how your dog handles heat. The best mats are passive: gel, airflow or breathable fabric doing the work without batteries, plugs or freezers. But here’s the catch — not all cooling mats work the same way, and one type stands out once the temperature really climbs. Below are the four we’d actually buy.

Best Overall

4.9

Vagascape Dog Cooling Mat

Self-cooling, no batteries or gel
Machine-washable for easy clean-up

Not ideal for heavy chewers

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Best for Travel

4.6

The Green Pet Shop Chillz Cooling Mat

Folds up for the car or boot
Auto-recharges between uses

Only moderate cooling

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Best Washable

4.6

NAMOTEK Large Washable Dog Cooling Mat

Sold as a washable mat
Cool ice-silk fabric

Thin cushion, milder cooling

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Best Durable

4.4

PetFelix Dog Cooling Mat

Chew- and scratch-resistant fabric
Non-slip backing on hard floors

Cover not machine washable

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By Tom • Updated October 2026 • 🕒 15 min read

How we review →

We compared the cooling mats Australians actually buy — on cooling method, materials and durability — to find four that genuinely earn their place in an Australian dog’s setup. Each is passive (no batteries, no power), built for dogs rather than people, and chosen for a distinct use case — everyday lounging, road trips, easy-clean indoor wear, and chew-resistant build. Below: what to look for before buying, the four compared side-by-side, and the full notes on each.

What to look for in a dog cooling mat

The five things that decide whether a cooling mat earns its summer or ends up in the cupboard. Scroll across to read all five.

Match the size

A cooling mat that’s too small forces your dog to choose between lying half-off or skipping it altogether. Aim for one at least as long as your dog from shoulder to hip — bigger is better, especially for sprawlers.

Cooling mechanism

Gel mats feel coldest on contact but can leak if chewed. Fabric mats like ice-silk and nylon are gentler — they wick body heat away rather than chilling the skin. Pick the mechanism that suits your dog’s tolerance.

Cleaning style

Mud, drool and the odd backyard incident all happen. A mat that goes in the washing machine (the Vagascape) is far easier to live with than wipe-only gel pads. Match the mat to the mess your dog actually makes.

Chew resistance

If your dog redesigns the furniture, a fabric mat will be confetti by January. Look for reinforced supramolecular fibre or heavy-duty vinyl — and supervise the first few hours with any new mat.

It’s not enough alone

Passive mats lower temperature a few degrees, not twenty. On 35°C+ days, pair with shade, a paddling pool, plenty of water, and time indoors during the worst of the heat. The mat is one tool, not the whole plan.

At a glance

Our top four picks compared — what they’re best at, key features, prices and where to check.

Rank	Product	Best for	Key feature	Price guide	Check price link
Best Overall	Vagascape Dog Cooling Mat	Everyday lounging, dogs that sprawl	Leaf-shaped, with a nylon cooling side and a fleece reverse — no gel, no power, machine-washable.	$$	Check price
Best for Travel	The Green Pet Shop Chillz Cooling Mat	Large dogs on camping trips and road trips	Pressure-activated gel that recharges between uses; folds up for the boot.	$$ (Extra Large)	Check price
Best Washable	NAMOTEK Large Washable Dog Cooling Mat	Indoor use; dogs that make a mess	Ice-silk fabric and breathable mesh; folds up to carry and store.	$$$	Check price
Best Durable	PetFelix Dog Cooling Mat	Chew-prone dogs; outdoor patio use	Supramolecular fibre, breathable padding, non-slip backing.	$$	Check price

Our picks in detail

What we love, what to watch out for, and who each pick really suits.

Best Overall: Vagascape Dog Cooling Mat

Bottom line — the best fuss-free cooling mat for most Aussie dogs: soft, washable, no batteries, no gel leaks.

This fabric leaf-shaped pad is the surprise pick here. There’s no gel, no plug, no freezer required — just a smooth, breathable nylon cooling side, with a plush fleece side on the back for cooler months. The leaf cut shapes wider than a rectangle, so a medium-sized dog actually fits with their legs in the cool zone rather than dangling off the edge.

Lay it on the floor like a towel. The whole mat can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, which makes muddy paw prints easy to deal with. There are three drawbacks. It won’t feel icy the way a gel pad does. The cooling only works where your dog’s body presses on it. And a determined chewer will get through the fabric fairly quickly. For dogs who sit and stay rather than redesign the furniture, it’s the best all-rounder here.

What we love	Areas for improvement
No gel, plug or freezer required Survives the machine wash repeatedly Leaf shape fits more of the dog	Won’t feel icy like gel mats Won’t survive a determined chewer Cooling depends on body-contact pressure

Best for Travel: The Green Pet Shop Chillz Cooling Mat

Bottom line — the right buy for dogs that travel: fold it, throw it in the boot, no freezer juggling.

For big dogs that come on every weekend adventure, the Chillz Cooling Mat is a good travel companion. We link the Extra Large, which is about 94 × 79 cm and made for dogs over about 23 kg, like a Labrador. It’s light and folds up, and the pressure-activated gel doesn’t need freezing. Your dog lies on it and the gel cools. After 15 to 20 minutes off the mat, it recharges itself for the next stop.

The surface wipes clean after a beach or campsite session, which matters if you store your travel kit in the boot. The trade-offs are honest. It’s only available in blue, the cooling feels moderate rather than fridge-cold, and on smooth tiles or polished timber the mat can slide unless your dog weighs enough to hold it down. For big dogs on beach trips and road trips up the coast, it’s an easy cooling mat to bring along.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Folds up for the car or boot Recharges between use, no freezer Wipes clean after camp or beach	Only one colour option (blue) Slides on smooth tiles and timber Cooling feels moderate, not fridge-cold

Best Washable: NAMOTEK Large Washable Dog Cooling Mat

Bottom line — a soft, foldable ice-silk mat that’s sold as washable and made for gentle cooling.

Think of NAMOTEK as a silky-cool dog blanket rather than a stiff pad. It’s made of ice-silk fabric and breathable mesh that feels cool to the touch, with no freezing needed. It’s made for gentle cooling and won’t feel icy. It suits a dog that likes to lie on something soft.

It’s sold as a washable mat, and it folds up to carry or store between hot spells. The trade-off is size. At 99 x 69 cm it’s a little smaller than the Chillz XL, so check it against your dog’s length from shoulder to hip. It works well as a soft, cool mat for indoor use.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Ice-silk fabric feels cool to touch Sold as a washable mat Light, foldable, easy to store	Mild cooling effect, not fridge-cold Slides on tiles or polished floors No waterproof backing for mud

Best Durable: PetFelix Dog Cooling Mat

Bottom line — the right pick if your dog chews mats: durable construction, but you give up the machine wash.

PetFelix is the cooling mat for dogs that destroy soft things. It’s built around supramolecular fibre — a denser, more abrasion-resistant material than the fabric mats above — and a chew or claw will usually leave only a surface mark rather than ripping through to the core. The breathable padded centre keeps air moving rather than trapping heat, and the non-slip backing actually stays put on tile.

Cleaning is straightforward but limited: the construction is spot-clean only, not machine washable, which is the main trade-off against the NAMOTEK. If your dog tracks a lot of mud or the mat lives outside on the patio, factor that in. On price it sits in the budget-to-mid range, which is the useful part — for the kind of dog that goes through one cooling mat per summer, the extra durability earns the spend back over a season. No batteries, no gel, just a hardy pad that does the job.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Stands up to chewing and scratching Breathable padded core, no trapped heat Non-slip backing holds on tile	Spot clean only, no machine wash Not waterproof against muddy paws Mid-tier price for fabric mat

FAQ

How do dog cooling mats actually work?

Most of these mats rely on a special cooling gel or porous fabric. When your dog lies on it, their body heat is absorbed by the gel or drawn into the fabric layers. The material then naturally cools down when the dog moves off — you just lay it down in the shade and let it work.

Are cooling mats safe for my pet?

Yes, reputable cooling mats are safe. They use non-toxic materials designed for animals. The RSPCA even recommends giving pets a cooling mat in hot weather, along with some other hot-weather tips — our favourite recommendation is treats in a frozen Toppl. Just be sure to monitor them, particularly for any gel-based cooling mat: if a dog chews it up, clean any material immediately (though good mats have tear-resistant covers). Otherwise they’re a much safer way to chill than overheating.

How do I clean and maintain a cooling mat?

It depends on the type. Fabric-based mats (like ice-silk or foam types) often have removable covers that you can machine wash. Vinyl/gel pads should never go in the washer — just wipe with a damp cloth or hose them off. Always follow the care label: some covers zip off, others you spot-clean. Over time, even the best mat wears out, so check for rips or gel leaks regularly and replace if damaged.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, pick the mat that fits your dog’s size, habits, and the kind of mess they make. All four hold up under the Aussie summer with zero gadget fuss — no batteries to charge, no freezer cycle to remember, no app to install. Just lay them in the shade and your dog will do the rest.

No cooling mat is magic on its own. Always pair it with plenty of water, a proper shaded spot, a dog rashie to block harmful UV, and an awareness of the signs of overheating in dogs — by the time a dog is panting heavily and slowing down, the mat alone won’t pull them back. Used as part of a sensible summer setup, though, it’s one of the easiest comfort wins you’ll find. Here’s hoping your mate stays as chill as Pepper all summer long.