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WHEN it starts to warm up outside, our beloved four-legged friends really feel the heat - so the best pet cooling mats are worth shopping for to keep your furry companion happy.

Cooling mats work to cool an overheated pet down and also provide a nice space for them to chill out - literally.

You'll find pet cooling mats in a range of sizes to suit both dogs and cats - of all shapes and sizes!

What's more is you can also put pet cooling mats in the car to cool your pet down during muggy car journeys, and they can be placed in a bed or crate - or on the floor indoors.

Looking to add a style statement? Then choose a fruit-themed pet cooling mat. Or, you could always go one step further and invest in a pet paddling pool...

This pet cooling mat is available in two sizes (M and L) and works to cool both pets and their owners down - the large size might even be able to fit both of you on together for cuddles (we're not judging).

Made with a pressure-activated, non-toxic gel, it delivers a continuous cooling feeling for your pet and absorbs their body heat so they don't overheat or get dehydrated.

The mat is said to keep your furry friends 7-9 degrees below ambient temperature - which is ideal after long hot walks, or park hangs.

The folding design packs away easily for storage or travel, and it recharges automatically every 20 minutes.

It has a bevvy of five-star reviews from customers who are impressed with its quality and how much their pets are enjoying it.

Small animal in your home? This SnuggleSafe cooling pad  - another pressure-activated, gel-filled design - is just the right size for rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters.

It self charges, so there's no need to refrigerate it - and you can rest easy knowing that it's totally non-toxic, as well as bite-resistant.

It can also keep small cats and miniature dogs cool in hotter weather, and is ideal for use all summer long - indoors or outdoors in the shade.

This highly-rated option can be nabbed from supermarket-giant Waitrose in various sizes.

It works well as either a standalone mattress, or a topper to your companion's bed - we reckon it would also be great as a travel mat for summer beach trips, because it folds away well.

The mat is filled with a pet friendly non-toxic gel and is naturally cooling - ensuring very happy, cool pets!

It's also very durable, so is easily cleaned (no matter how muddy the paws...).

All For Paws Chill Out Fresh Breeze Cooling Dog Mat Small, from £14.99 from Pets At Home - buy here

For pet owners looking for something more than a basic cooling mat, this springy mattress is another cooling alternative that allows air to flow through it, so dogs feel refreshed when they lie on it.

Both you and your pet can sleep easy knowing that the cooling, zip-fastened mattress cover is machine-washable, too.

The mattress is available in three different sizes to suit your breed, and the springy design is well ventilated, allowing air to flow through it freely for maximum comfort.

This fun, fruity, gel-filled pet cooling pad looks a treat in the garden or sitting room and comes in a selection of fruit prints, including lemon and watermelon designs.

Not only does it work for dogs and cats who need a refresh, it doubles as a sofa or chair cushion and a pet pillow, with a rim for pets to rest their heads on.

It's filled with a cooling ice crystal gel that starts to cool as soon as your pet steps on it.

Perfect for giving your garden that tropical feel... while keeping your pet refreshed.

For those who aren't into the idea of a gel-filled cooling mat, this ice silk, cotton and breathable mesh mat is a pleasing alternative, which absorbs your pet's body heat.

The non-toxic design can be wipe-cleaned with soap and water, and works well on its own or in crates, in the car or in your dog's bed.

It's also designed to help soothe aching joints and arthritis in older pets.

Customers like it for guinea pigs and cats as well as dogs, and recommend it for anyone with an animal who might be tempted to chew through the gel-filled designs.

This pet cooling mat is a well-reviewed choice that's typically 5-10 degrees cooler than room temperature.

The gel-filled design stays cool for about an hour - to reset it, just leave it unused for another hour.

Choose from a few different sizes  - including L and XL to accommodate larger breeds.

One post reads: "My dog likes her cool mat and does sit on it frequently. Easy to fold to transport to car and other places."

"My dog is a very large puppy. She has scratched at the mat but it has stood up to this," writes another reviewer.

If you (or your pet) are fans of ice lollies - this Fab inspired design is seriously cool.

The nostalgic, eye-catching summer mat automatically cools when your pet sits on it - helping to keep them cool and comfortable for longer, as the weather gets warmer.

Fab not your favourite lolly? There's also a Rocket lolly design available, too. No promises that it won't make you hungry, though...

Pet cooling mats are typically filled with a non-toxic gel that's pressure-activated - so they're completely safe for pets to use.

This being said, you'll still want to supervise your pet to make sure they don't chew their mat - if they ingest anything, it could lead to tummy troubles.

There are also non-gel cooling mats made from breathable ice silk available for dogs and cats - these are more like thin blankets for your pet to lie on in the heat and there's nothing to spill out if they do burst - so if you own a 'chewer', this may be a good option for you.

A pet cooling mat is exactly what it sounds like - it's a mat or blanket that is designed to keep your pet cool when the weather is warm.

During the summer months it can be particularly hard for our furry friends to cool off, and it becomes easy for them to overheat - which can be potentially very dangerous for their health.

So, to keep them happy, healthy and cool, cooling mats offer them a way to get that body temperature down - especially useful if your pet is a bit of a sun-worshipper!

When it comes to gel option pet cooling mats, the gel inside is activated by pressure - so when your pup (or cat!) sits on the mat they get cooled off.

Once warmed, this gel then recharges and cools down again when the pressure (aka your pet) moves off it.

If you have a water filled pet cooling mat, it's similar to a water bed in the way that the cool water absorbs heat from your pet's body.

Pet cooling mats can be incredibly useful for dog and cat owners - as keeping our beloved four-legged friends cool can be a huge worry, especially for those whose houses get particularly warm.

Using one will also likely take away a lot of stress from owners who own particular breeds, such as larger dogs, dogs with thicker coats and dogs with shorter snouts - all of which can struggle in the heat more than others.

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