Cooling mat

[ilovemysnow]

So it's officially summer.. and i didn't get Snow until August of last year so i didn't really see him suffering in the heat until now. I noticed him constantly panting, and drinking water every 10-20 mins or so, and of course urinating every half hour it seems. I'm so scared that he'll suffer from a heatstroke as my house is SUPER HOT!! I've got fans all over the house, Snow even has his own little one next to his expen.. but it doesn't seem to help with Snow's constant panting! I cool him down by wetting his body a little with cold water and he stays in front of the fan all day next to me.. It helps A LITTLE, but he STILL pants like crazy!

Anyways, i found this cooling pad online and wanted to share.. or ask if anybody has ever used it before and if it works?? I read some reviews on it and majority likes it... but who knows, those reviews may be biased! This is the cheapest place i found..

http://www.thepoochstore.com/dog-cooling-mat.html

[Morkie4]

I think that's a pretty cool way to keep the fluff from overheating! Thanks for sharing!

[Nikki's Mom]

I have heard of these but usually they need to be put in water first. I have never seen one that is self cooling like the one in your link. I am confused how that could possibly work but I would be interested in learning about it though. We have AC and when Kodie and Nikki come in from a walk and they are panting, they will either lay on the cool hardwood floors or Kodie will actually lay on the vent so he is laying right on top of the cold air as it is coming out! Pretty smart pup!! The mat definitely sounds like a good idea though. Let us know if you end up getting one and if you like it!! :)

[Punky]

They have these for horse's also to be used as saddle pad's. They do help for a short time, 15 minutes at so but I would personally not use them do to possible chewing and tears.Its like a neoprene fabric with is cooler to the touch is all, I would use frozen water bottles in larger sizes instead.

[JesBred]

I'm interested in how it works too :confused:

[angeleyes]

I'm thinking like Maggie does. They don't last very long. Denny read it and the chart shows there is only an 8 degree difference with the mat. I use those gel mats you can get at WalMart and they are pretty cheap. I put a couple of those under a blanket or inside a pillow case for them to lay on. They stay cold about 3-4 hours and if you have spares you can just change them around. The fans help alot too as the moving air is what's needed. When they tend to over heat it's due to no air moving like in a hot car. If you get it let us know if you like it but for the same price you can get at least 4 cold packs and they last longer.

[ilovemysnow]

Thanks all for the comment.. I'm going to try it since Jason offered to buy it for Snow. hehe :D

And thanks for the heads up Maggie.. I'll be sure to only let Snow use it under my supervision. If anything we'll both be using it since we're always next to each other. Lol

My main concern is the water.. Since Snow is always laying on the floor or the bed, or even the couch, i can't have water on those areas and i wanted to find something that didn't require any water.. If anything i'll probably put the mat on my lap and have him lay on me.. Since he usually climbs my lap anyways. :hearter:

Oh and Sue - i tried looking for the gel mats at walmart but couldn't find any?? which ones are you referring to?? If they're cheaper maybe i can get those for his crate for when i'm not with him. Please let me know! :hearter:

I actually had a cold-water-soaked face towel and just had it on Snow's body. He liked it for about 2 mins, but he kept trying to get it off of him to chew on the towel!! :lol2: sucha nibbler!!

I'll let you all know how the mat works out. thanks again for all of your inputs!:hearter:

[JiJi's Mom]

Mine just hit my tile floors:tongue:

I'll be waiting for the review on this one.

[angeleyes]

Mia, I usually find the cold packs at WalMart in the pharmacy area. they are like for when you get hurt and put a cold pack on. I use two under a blanket on inside a pillow case if I'm not there so they don't chew on them. I tie the pillow case shut. Or you can buy pillow case covers that zip shut, those work two. still put a little blanket overe it so it's not too cold. If you can't find them at WalMart any drug store should have them too.
Hugs to my little Snowie to keep cool. It's only in the 50's here today:mad: I'll bottle some cold air up and send it to him:lol2:

[ilovemysnow]

i loooove this cooling mat!! APPROVED!!

I stick em in the freezer for like 2 mins to speed up the coldness. Even I use it when it's super hot and Snow just lays next to my legs... ;D I placed the mat inside a zipped up pillow case and put it in Snow's crate.. he loves it =)

[JiJi's Mom]

Cool :D

We don't want Snow hot.

[angeleyes]

Mia, I'm so happy that the mat works for Snow and you. I worry about him with no AC so now I don't have to. I'm glad you can use it too. I don't know what I'd do without AC, I can't take the heat.
Hugs

[3maltese4me]

I really like the looks of that cooling mat. When i picked Reese up from her breeder at the Brookesville FL show in November it was so hot and i bought a cooling mat for Reese to put in the stroller and it was worthless...you had to put it water and put it in the freezer...definately not worth the $20 something dollars i paid for it. I may have to check into this mat.

[Nikki's Mom]

Glad you and Snow like it!! Thanks for the review!! :)