The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad

The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad is a pressure-activated gel mat. It starts cooling when your dog lies on it and, the maker says, recharges itself after 15 to 20 minutes without use.

Who it suits

Dogs that do not chew their bedding and rest indoors. It needs no water, freezing or power, but it is gel filled, so skip it for chewers and teething puppies.

Key facts

• Pressure-activated gel that cools for up to 3 hours and recharges after 15 to 20 minutes of non-use (The Green Pet Shop)
• Designed for indoor use; do not use it in direct sunlight or leave it in a hot car (The Green Pet Shop)
• Wipe clean with a soft cloth and mild soap (The Green Pet Shop)
• Do not leave a dog that chews or scratches unattended with it; the warranty excludes chewing and punctures (The Green Pet Shop)

What reviewers say

Business Insider tested 21 mats with two dogs and an infrared thermometer and named it the best budget pick: “In my testing, I measured only 2.8 degrees of heat transfer”. Downsides: “Not ideal for outdoor use in hot temperatures or direct sunlight” and “Lacks nonslip bottom”.

NBC Select, which bases its list on expert interviews, named it the best cooling mat, but also quotes a trainer: “Dogs who are habitual chewers and puppies in the biting and teething stage should not use gel-filled mats or beds”. We did not test it ourselves.

Pros and cons

• Pro: No water, freezing or power needed, per the maker
• Pro: Business Insider measured only 2.8 degrees of heat transfer
• Pro: Thin and light enough to move between rooms
• Con: Gel filled: not for dogs that chew (see cautions)
• Con: Indoor use only, not in direct sun (maker)
• Con: No nonslip bottom (Business Insider)

Cautions

• The maker says not to leave a dog that chews or scratches alone with the pad, and the warranty excludes chewing and punctures.
• The ASPCA (October 2026) warns that cooling products labelled nontoxic may contain high levels of acrylamide, and to monitor any cooling pad use, especially with dogs that chew. It did not name brands. If your dog chews or swallows part of a pad, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
• Use it alongside shade, fresh water and rest, not instead of them.
• A cooling mat is a comfort aid, not a treatment. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse in the heat can be heatstroke, which is an emergency: cool your dog and go to a vet at once.