Trixie Cooling Mat
(48 reviews)
The Trixie cooling mat combines a classic cooling gel with an affordable price to help dogs and cats get through hot summer days.
Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Key features
- Sizes: 6 sizes, from 40x30 cm to 110x70 cm
- How it works: Cooling gel activated by simple body contact
- Care: Nylon surface, wipe clean with a damp sponge
- Cools about 2°C (36°F) below body heat, no recharging
In detail: Trixie Cooling Mat for Dogs and Cats
The Trixie cooling mat is one of the great classics of the pet comfort aisle for hot weather: a simple soft pad, filled with a cooling gel, that lowers the temperature a dog or cat feels as soon as it lies down. No preparation is needed: no trip to the freezer, no water to add, no plug to find. The cooling effect kicks in purely through the animal's body contact with the surface of the mat.
Versatility is one of its main strengths: placed in a bed, on a cool tiled floor, in the back of a car or inside a kennel, it earns its keep anywhere a pet likes to rest. The inner gel (based on water and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, with no toxic substances) stores coolness through several hours of continuous use, then regains its effectiveness after a short break, with no extra handling required.
The mat comes in six sizes, from 40x30 cm for a cat or small dog up to 110x70 cm for a large dog, at a price that stays very affordable across the whole range. The outer nylon surface holds up well to daily use and is maintained with a simple wipe of a damp sponge, no machine washing involved.
The main limitation, acknowledged by the manufacturer, concerns sharp claws and teeth: a dog that chews its bedding, a cat with sharp claws or a particularly heavy pet can puncture the outer layer and cause the gel to leak. Trixie recommends letting the animal choose freely when it uses the mat, checking its condition regularly, and never leaving it in direct sunlight or storing it above 45°C (113°F).
For a calm dog or cat that doesn't chew its bedding, the Trixie cooling mat remains a safe bet: effective, simple to use, available in almost every size, and noticeably cheaper than most gel-free alternatives on the market.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics (EAN: 4011905286853)
Dimensions and capacity
| Outer material?Main material used to make the product. | Nylon (PVC/polyester look), smooth surface |
|---|
Additional information
| Available sizes | S 40x30 cm, M 50x40 cm, L 65x50 cm, XL 90x50 cm, XL-XXL 100x60 cm, XXL 110x70 cm |
|---|---|
| Size reviewed on this page | M, 50 x 40 cm |
| Inner gel composition | Water (94.8%), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (5.0%), preservatives (0.2%) |
| How it works | Cools through body contact, no water, electricity or freezing needed |
| Cooling duration | Several hours of continuous use, then reactivates after a short break |
| Usage conditions | Do not use or store above 45°C (113°F), keep out of direct sunlight |
| Care | Wipe clean with a damp sponge, not machine washable |
| Colour | Blue (grey/white piping depending on size) |
| Manufacturer reference | Trixie 28683 to 28688 depending on size |
Comparison
In Au Frais's Pet comfort category, the Trixie mat joins two different approaches already reviewed on this site: the gel-free UIQELYS mat and the Pecute elevated bed. Searches like "cooling mat for dogs with or without gel" come up often, so here's how the three compare.
| Criterion | Trixie Cooling Mat | UIQELYS Cooling Mat | Pecute Elevated Bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Classic cooling gel, direct contact | Gel-free technical fabric | Elevated frame, air circulation |
| Puncture risk | Present with claws/teeth or a heavy pet | None, no gel pack | None, no gel |
| Care | Wipe with a damp sponge only | Hand or machine washable | Wipeable, foldable fabric |
| Sizes available | 6 sizes, from 40x30 to 110x70 cm | 3 sizes, up to 150x102 cm | Holds up to 60kg (size M) |
| Price (comparable size) | From £4.99 (size S) | From £33.61 | From £36.77 |
In short, the Trixie mat bets on the most affordable, most size-flexible classic, with the acknowledged trade-off of a gel pack that can be punctured by sharp claws or teeth. For a calm pet, it remains the simplest and cheapest option for instant cooling. The UIQELYS mat and the Pecute bed, both pricier, suit households with a pet that likes to chew or scratch its bedding.
Related video
Video: Our summer products provide dogs with cooling in hot temperatures - TRIXIE - Published on 27 March 2023
Our tester's verdict: Guillaume Hoarau
I put this Trixie mat in my labrador's bed as soon as the first heatwave hit, without expecting much from what looked like a bit of a gimmick on paper. The result was fairly convincing: within seconds of lying down, my dog clearly shifts position to stay in contact with the coolest spot, a good sign the effect is genuinely working. It feels like a slightly firm, pleasant gel that stays cool noticeably longer than a damp towel. On the care side, a quick wipe with a sponge is enough after a muddy nap, no need to run it through the machine. The catch, flagged by the manufacturer itself: my dog eventually chewed a corner of the mat during a bored moment, which slightly damaged the outer layer without an immediate leak, but the warning is clear for a pet that likes to chew its bedding. For a calmer dog or cat, this mat remains a simple, affordable way to get through summer more comfortably, as long as you keep an eye on its condition over the weeks.
Frequently asked questions: Trixie Cooling Mat for Dogs and Cats
Yes, it needs no power, no water and no trip to the freezer: the inner gel reactivates through simple body contact and stays effective for several hours before needing a short break.
No, like most gel mats, it can be punctured by sharp claws, teeth or the weight of a heavy pet. Trixie recommends checking its condition regularly and not leaving it with a pet that chews its bedding.
Six sizes are available, from 40x30 cm for a cat or small dog up to 110x70 cm for a large dog. Choose a size that lets your pet lie down fully on it to get the most out of the cooling effect.
No, unlike some gel-free mats, it isn't machine washable: a simple wipe with a damp sponge is enough to keep it clean, which avoids any risk of damaging the inner gel pack.
The inner gel stays effective through several hours of continuous use, then regains its cooling capacity after a short break, with no need to recharge it in a freezer or fridge.
More products in the "Pet comfort" range
Catit Fresh & Clear 3L
Check price (25)
The Catit Fresh & Clear fountain keeps a steady flow of filtered, oxygenated water on tap, encouraging cats and small dogs to drink more each day.
Hurtta Cooling Wrap
Check price (6)
Soaked in cold water and wrung out, the Hurtta Cooling Wrap keeps a dog's chest cool for hours through evaporation, no electricity or ice packs needed.
Pecute Elevated Cooling Bed
Check price (8)
This Pecute elevated bed combines an airy frame with a cooling fabric for a chill up to 5°C stronger than a mat laid on the floor.
UIQELYS Cooling Mat
Check price (4)
This UIQELYS cooling mat for dogs and cats works without gel or electricity, and washes in the machine with no risk of leaking.
Page published on 4 August 2026