10 Cooling Dog Beds to Help Your Pup Beat the Heat

published Aug 1, 2023
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Credit: Kai Byrd

Household pets often need help finding a comfortable temperature. In the winter, that’s easily solved by turning up the heat, giving your dog an extra blanket, or snuggling with them on the couch. However, when the temperature is uncomfortably hot during the summer, our furry friends have a harder time cooling off. You can only achieve so much by blasting the air conditioner, turning on fans, and enticing them to drink more water. Their fur coats still have poor breathability, and they can only sweat out tiny bits of heat through their tongues and paw pads.

That’s where a great cooling dog bed comes in handy. These beds give your dog a comfortable place to sleep and a safe place to prevent themselves from overheating, which is important at all stages in their lives. Cooling dog beds use similar technology as cooling mattresses — often a layer of gel-infused foam and a breathable cover — to improve airflow to their bodies and reduce the trapping of heat. Check out the best cooling dog beds below to make sure your pup is always living its best life.

1 / 10
Amazon
$49.99

Sometimes the coolest dog bed isn't a bed at all, but rather a mat. This cooling mat offers your dog just enough padding to allow them to get comfortable, and every time they lay down it circulates cooling gel to help lower their body temperature. You can use this mat on the floor or place it on top of your existing dog bed to serve as an added cooling layer.

2 / 10
Chewy
$64.28

Older dogs or those with joint or bone pain will definitely appreciate this orthopedic dog bed. It has a removable, machine-washable cover that's designed for enhanced breathability, and its memory foam core is topped with a 1-inch layer of cooling gel to help prevent your dog from overheating. It's available in two colors and sizes big enough to fit any dog.

3 / 10
Chewy
$82.95
was $193.99

Get this indoor/outdoor dog bed so your canine companion can stay cool everywhere you bring them. You can disassemble it to be completely flat for storage or transportation, and its powder-coated steel frame is built to avoid rusting even with frequent outdoor use. The center of the bed is made of mesh for improved air circulation, and the entire thing can be hosed down and wiped off whenever it needs to be cleaned. This is a smart choice if you like to take your dog camping or to the beach.

4 / 10
Chewy
$46.99
was $49.99

Keeping your dog cool when they're outside is a special challenge that this portable dog bed addresses directly. It folds up into a compact cylinder (like a small camping chair) and is made from durable fabric that can be hosed off whenever it gets dirty. The elevated position it provides your dog allows for more air to reach their body while also reducing stress on their joints.

5 / 10
Home Depot
$106.15

Our contributor Andie got this plush bed for her aging dog and found that he absolutely loved it. It uses a Dualcool technology to prevent overheating and has a memory foam mattress that offers top-of-the-line support for your dog's bones and joints. "He cannot seem to get enough of his Beautyrest bed," Andie wrote. "He especially loves resting his head on the bed’s plush perimeter, which offers greater support for his neck."

6 / 10
Amazon
$32.99
was $37.14

Our best budget-friendly dog bed pick uses a simple metal frame and mesh fabric to give your dog an elevated place to cool off. By keeping your pup off the floor, this bed lets air circulate around their entire body. That can help cool down areas such as their belly and armpits, which tend to otherwise trap heat.

7 / 10
Chewy
$84.99
was $101.99

With the addition of a quilted sleep surface, this dog bed makes sure your pet is both cool and comfortable. It uses both cooling gel foam and medical-grade support foam to be the ideal summertime nap spot, and it has raised borders on three sides that create a sense of calmness. It's available in sizes for medium, large, extra-large, and really-extra-large dogs.

8 / 10
Amazon
$99.99

Pamper your pooch with this name-brand orthopedic cooling dog bed. Its pad is made of three layers of foam that provide support and facilitate airflow, which is especially helpful for older dogs or dogs with joint or bone pain. The base is infused with odor-absorbing charcoal, and the cover can be zipped off and washed whenever it needs a refresh. Only the best for your fur baby.

9 / 10
Chewy
$69.99
was $74.99

This clever option combines a bit of the plushness of a bed with the cooling power of a mat. The inside mat has a gel layer on top to keep your pup cool, and any stains, spills, or accidents on it can be easily wiped off. Its raised border gives your dog a comfy place to rest their head and have only the best dreams.

10 / 10
Fable Pets
$109.00

This minimalist dog bed is designed for maximum comfort and ease of use. It's made of human-grade memory foam, has a breathable and stain-resistant cover, and the entire thing can be cleaned in your washing machine. Plus, it's available in six colors and three sizes so you can get the perfect fit for your dog's style.