My dog practically lives on this genius cooling mat on hot days

If you've ever seen your dog flop down and spread out like a pancake on a hardwood or tile floor, they're probably looking for some relief from the heat. Several years ago, as the humid New York City heat closed in on us in late May, I started thinking about ways to keep my sluggish pup, Homer, comfortable.

My window AC unit was doing a decent job, but running it at the recommended 75 degrees wasn't always enough for Homer when he'd returned from a sunny, hot walk. I was already familiar with gel cooling mats for dogs. In fact, I'd purchased a generic one many years before for my first pup. However, The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad has always risen to the top of my search results and has thousands of positive reviews. It was time for Homer and me to see what was so great about it.

Fast-forward five years, and I can always reliably find him lounging on it when the temperature hits the 70s and the humidity starts to set in. Now that he's in his senior years and the heat is more overwhelming for him, I'm grateful I can give him extra comfort.

How the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad works

This isn't a high-tech gadget — it's a simple mat filled with a nontoxic pressure-activated gel that absorbs heat from your dog's body. When your pup (or even your bare feet) presses down on it, it has an instant cooling effect.

The Cool Pet Pad comes in five sizes, typically ranging from $25 to $85. The blue nylon cover is smooth and durable and holds up well against a dog's nails. The whole thing is about a quarter-inch thick and provides just enough cushioning to make hard floors more inviting.

You may be tempted to place the pad outside on a hot deck or patio, but the manufacturer's directions warn against this. The heat-absorbing gel is no match for extreme heat or sunlight.

After about three hours of use in the shade outside or in your home, the mat needs a break — just put it in a cool space for 15 to 20 minutes so it can release the heat it's absorbed. Then it's good to go again. I let it recharge at room temperature, but if you fold it up and place it in the refrigerator, even better.

My review of the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad

My dog genuinely loves this mat. He often chooses it over his plush dog bed or the cool floor. Although the Cool Pet Pad isn't as powerful as our top pick for the best dog cooling mats and pads — the Cooler Dog Hydro Cooling Mat — it's about half the cost and requires no assembly. With the Cooler Dog Mat, you have to place the included ice sheet in the freezer before use.

A bonus for me is that the Cool Pet Pad is very portable, and I can easily move it to whatever room Homer is lounging in. The size large weighs 3.5 pounds, and though it measures 35 inches by 23 inches, the flexible material can be rolled or folded up. In fact, the mat is sectioned so I can neatly fold the large size into a compact 9 inches by 11 inches and toss it in a bag when we travel.

I leave it in our bedroom at night and move it to our sunroom where he likes to nap during the day. Even in the sunroom where it can get a little hot and there's some sunlight hitting it, Homer still prefers to lie on it. Other people lay it on top of their dog's bed or in their crate. It can even go in the backseat of a car, but it could slide on smooth upholstery.

If your dog is prone to accidents or slobber, like mine, you can wipe it down with mild detergent and a damp, soft sponge or cloth. It comes out looking clean every time, and just needs to be air-dryed before you put it away or use it again.

Cons to consider

The Cool Pet Pad does its best work indoors. If you're looking for something to keep your pup cool outside, the Cooler Dog Hydro Cooling Mat is a better option. It provides more powerful relief for as long as six hours, even in sunlight. Keep in mind, however, that if your dog is prone to chewing their beds, neither cooling mat will be a good fit for them. The materials are nontoxic, but you should always prevent your pet from ingesting anything other than food, water, or medication.

The mat lacks a nonslip bottom, so it's best to place it on a carpeted surface for extra security. While the nylon cover is smooth, its top surface isn't particularly slippery. Still, if your dog is unsteady due to mobility issues, you'll want to watch to make sure they don't have any issues getting on or off.

The pad cleans up well when I wipe it down, but it would be nice if I could put it in the washer. The Green Pet Shop sells a machine-washable cotton cover in a range of pastel colors. The manufacturer says the cover doesn't affect the mat's ability to cool, but since I haven't tried it yet, I can't say for sure. And because the cover is not waterproof, you'll still need to wipe the mat down from time to time.

The largest size offered is 43.3 by 27.5 inches, and that's not big enough for a giant breed or two medium pups to share. I recommend the Arf Pets Self-Cooling Gel Pad for those scenarios.

The bottom line

For no-fuss, cooling relief that won't cost you a lot, the Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad is your best bet. Summers are a lot easier for Homer when he can take a nice snooze on his favorite mat, and I'm thrilled that it has lasted us so long.

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