COOLING MATS & COOL-DOWN ESSENTIALS

DOG COOLING MATS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

Dogs love running around outdoors, but on hot summer days in particular they can suffer from the heat. With temperature records climbing as high as 40 °C, that is hardly surprising. Depending on breed, origin and fur, some dogs cope better than others. Alongside plenty of water, one particularly effective way to give dogs relief in high temperatures is a cooling mat for dogs that helps regulate their body temperature.

COOLING YOUR DOG: HOW A COOLING MAT WORKS AND ITS BENEFITS

A dog cooling mat works in a simple but highly effective way: a self-cooling gel is activated by contact with your dog's body – no water or electricity needed.

Pressure activation: When your dog lies down on the mat, its body weight and the even pressure activate the gel.
Heat absorption: The gel absorbs your dog's excess body heat and continuously draws it away. This noticeably lowers the temperature at the contact surface below your dog's body temperature.
Self-cooling during breaks: After around 3 to 4 hours of continuous use, the gel is saturated with absorbed heat. When your dog gets up and the pressure is released, the mat gives off the heat into the surrounding air and cools down again by itself within about 15 to 30 minutes.

Note: For optimal cooling, the outside temperature should not exceed 35 °C, and direct sunlight should be avoided.

AT WHICH TEMPERATURES DOES MY DOG NEED A COOLING MAT?

Cooling vests can protect against overheating. As soon as it gets too warm outside, your dog will show one or more of these signs:

• Heavy panting with the mouth wide open and the tongue hanging out
• Restlessness or a desperate search for shady, cool spots
• Sluggishness and exhaustion (your dog doesn't want to keep walking or reacts more slowly)
• Increased salivation or thick, sticky saliva
• Reddened gums and inner ears
• Glazed eyes or a slightly absent expression
• Rapid pulse and noticeably hot skin (especially on the belly and paws)

COOLING YOUR DOG IN SUMMER: SAFETY FIRST

When it comes to keeping our four-legged friends comfortably cool in summer, safety comes first. Dogs must never be left in hot cars – even a short time can be life-threatening. Instead, you can keep your dog cool at home. A cooling mat is an ideal addition for keeping temperatures comfortable indoors too, for example in a top-floor flat.

TIPS FOR OUT AND ABOUT – TAKE A DOG WATER BOTTLE

On outings on hot days, it's important to keep your dog cool on the go as well. Besides regular breaks in the shade, your dog should have plenty of chances to drink.

Since there isn't always a lake, stream or café nearby, it's a good idea to bring either a portable dog bowl or the practical CLOUD7 dog water bottle: a light, collapsible bottle made of flexible silicone with a 750 ml capacity, so your dog can drink easily on the go.

Here's to a summer full of shared adventures!