Home / Health & Dog Care / Summer Safety Rules

Dogs normally have 102°. Just 4° more (106°) leads to heat stroke. 50% of cases end fatally [1]. It’s our duty to protect them during the upcoming hot summer of 2025.

(Avoid cooling gel mats — they can be very dangerous!)

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By Dr. Jonathan Blake
By Dr. Jonathan Blake
DVM Veterinary Health Advisor
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Our beloved fur babies can die from heat stroke in as little as 15 minutes.

And trust me, prevention is the best way to keep your dog safe in the heat. I’ll show you exactly how to avoid this danger.

Keep in mind: water, shade, and rest are not enough.

Even when the worst-case scenario is avoided, heat stroke can still cause seizures, coma, and permanent damage to a dog’s organs — including brain swelling, kidney failure, and liver damage.

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When it comes to this topic, most Americans know not to leave their dog in the car, but the dangers don’t stop there.

A lot of dogs get heat strokes at home. One of my clients from Charlotte told me she had gone to work, leaving the AC on to keep her dogs cool during a hot July day.

But when she came back, she realized the fuse had blown.

Thankfully, it happened just 20 minutes before she got home.

But even then, her poodles were in critical condition: panting heavily, drooling thick saliva, and lying on the tile floor, desperately trying to cool themselves.

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Of course, she rushed them to the vet. Luckily, the professional care they received helped them fully recover with no lasting damage to their organs.

But what if the power had gone out two hours earlier…?

We can’t afford to find out. So let’s get prepared for the summer!

The first thing you need to understand is that dogs overheat much more easily than we do.

While our bodies are covered in sweat glands to release heat, dogs can only sweat through their paws and nose — and those areas are tiny.

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There’s no way their bodies can release all that trapped heat this way, especially with their thick fur coats.

That’s why nature gave them another way to release heat. Through saliva evaporation while panting.

So, Rule #1:

When you leave, always make sure your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water.

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Leave extra, just in case of a power outage — it helps them regulate their body temperature.

However, in extreme cases, water alone might not be enough to protect their body from harmful effects.

They need something that truly cools their entire body, with airflow and direct surface contact.

Think about it: your dog is overheated, trying to find a place to cool down. They try the sofa, the couch, their usual dog bed.

But everything is too warm, too dense.

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Of course it is, those beds are designed for comfort. But comfort alone isn’t enough in summer, when heat-related illnesses become a serious danger.

Even cool tile might not be enough — and that’s not even considering how uncomfortable it is, especially for older dogs with osteochondrosis.

For proper cooling, free airflow around your dog’s body is absolutely essential.

This brings us to Rule #2

Always give your dog a safe (non-toxic), comfortable, breathable, and purpose-built solution.

First, I want to warn you against using cooling gel mats, and there are a few important reasons why.

First and foremost, even though manufacturers claim they’re “non-toxic” and “bite-resistant”, many dogs still manage to chew through the surface and ingest the gel inside.

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There are many reported cases of dogs experiencing symptoms like vomiting, ataxia (loss of coordination), tremors, and even neurological issues affecting the forebrain and cerebellum.

They’re dangerous

And that’s backed by multiple studies and real cases.

Secondly, cooling mats don’t provide the comfort dogs need for their head and neck to fully relax — which means their bodies, muscles, and nerves stay tense and can generate even more heat.

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Yes, when a dog is active or stressed, their body naturally heats up even more, making the situation worse.

And that’s exactly what we want to avoid. So skip the mats for both of those reasons.

Now, let’s take a look at another popular option — elevated dog beds

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Their design allows for great air circulation across the dog’s entire body, which helps cool them down effectively.

But the question that kept coming to my mind was: “Do these manufacturers even care about our beloved furry babies’ comfort?”

Is putting our dogs on a flat, grid-like surface really the best solution the brilliant minds of our time could come up with?

That didn’t satisfy me. In fact, it made me angry. I love my dog just like you love yours — with deep care and a protective instinct.

I might put my shoes on that stand, but not my dog!

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So I continued my search for the perfect cooling dog bed. It took over three months.

But I was determined, knowing this would help bring comfort to thousands of dogs through this article.

Or even save their lives…

After testing 67 different beds, only one truly checked all the boxes on my list of requirements.

And today, I’m excited to share it with you!

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This is a true U.S. manufacturer — unlike the 75% of beds I tested, which were cheap and poorly made Chinese knock-offs.

The team behind this cooling bed is amazing.

They donated $23,000 in 2024 to no-kill shelters, including one right here near me in Sedona.

It was such a pleasure to buy their product, knowing my purchase would help rescue dogs feel happier and find their forever homes faster.

Now, about the cooling bed itself — it’s brilliant

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A solid 10 out of 10.

It’s the only bed I found made from natural ICE SILK, a fabric that cools on its own, with absolutely NO dangerous gel inside.

And that’s not all, ice silk fibers are hollow and have a large surface area that absorbs moisture.

When moisture hits the fibers, it quickly evaporates, drawing heat away from the body, helped by increased airflow.

This creates a cooling effect that helps lower and regulate your dog’s body temperature.

And the best part? All of this happens naturally!

Now, look at the thickness of this bed — it’s 4x thicker than typical cooling mats. That means better air circulation and way more comfort for your dog.

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And that’s just the base of this bed we’re talking about.

Now, one of the most important parts — the soft, half-square-shaped bolster edges that let your dog find the perfect, most comfortable position during hot summer days.

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And all of that happens while their bodies cool naturally as they drift off into sweet dreams, totally relaxed and stress-free.

Now just look at this design

Have you ever seen a cooling bed more stylish, sleek, and elegant than this?

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Available in two colors — beige and light blue — it fits perfectly into any space, whether it’s the couch, floor, chair, bed, or even the car!

Since it’s made by a high-quality U.S. manufacturer, it stands apart from cheap Chinese imitations, it’s extremely durable, bite-resistant, and 100% washable.

Just toss it in the washing machine whenever you want to freshen it up, and that’s it.

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Take it out and give it back to your dog in the same amazing condition as when you first received it.

Now you can get Pelsbarn’s unique cooling bed discount 30% off

fire Click below to get your discount on their official website. fire

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Keep you dog cool and Comfy on hot summer days

And that’s not all, they also offer FREE shipping within the USA and an interest-free installment option.

And the delivery? It took only 2 days for me, even though they said it would be 2 to 4 days.

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Don’t Buy Amazon Fakes!

Remember, they don’t sell their original product on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or anywhere else, online or offline, except through their official website!

They did this intentionally to offer the best possible price to their customers and avoid paying cuts to dozens of middlemen.

Otherwise, if they sold on Amazon, you’d be paying $270.

And honestly, the quality even justifies that price.

But there’s no need to pay that much.

They offer it for a fraction of the cost on their official website

And all those similar cooling beds you see on online marketplaces? Just cheap Chinese knock-offs.

Pelsbarn warns everyone against buying those as they put dogs at risk because those beds can’t come close to delivering the same air circulation, thickness, quality, raised edges, softness and genuine silk ice fabric.

They have one thing in mind: profit. Even if it means taking advantage of your need to keep your dog safe.

I felt pure joy ordering an American-made product: quality, responsibility, speed, and genuine love for dogs. Both those who have their forever homes, and those still waiting to find one.

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They’re so confident in the quality of their bed, they offer a 1-year warranty and a 14-day return policy — no questions asked!

If you don’t like the bed (which is honestly impossible) — just send it back and get a full refund.

If you notice any factory defects (which is very unlikely as it’s not a Chinese knock-off), they’ll either refund your money or send you a new product right away.

diamonds Your full peace of mind,
guaranteed
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refund

They offer all of this with one goal in mind: to give you complete peace of mind every time you interact with their brand.

And not just for your wallet, but for the peace of mind that your beloved fur baby is safe, comfortable, and well cared for!

That’s exactly the energy and attitude I felt when I spoke personally with their founders — Fay and Daniel.

So I can absolutely recommend their bed as the best cooling option

It meets all of my strict requirements.

And the best part?

The price is extremely fair and affordable.

Sure, it’s not 20 bucks like those Chinese knock-offs, but hey, we’re not buying socks here.

We’re talking about a safe, comfy spot that’ll protect our fur family members for years to come!

I can’t emphasize enough how worth it this was for my Labrador Retriever, Sara.

And I’m sure this cooling bed will give you the same experience.

Dr. Jonathan Blake

Now, I want to thank you for reading all the way to the end. I know it was a long run, but I couldn’t just bang out a few sentences on such an important topic — our dogs’ safety from heat strokes, and their inner peace and comfort.

Feel free to write or check out the comments below. And if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them personally.

I wish you and every member of your family, including the furry ones, to stay safe and sound!

Best wishes,
By Dr. Jonathan Blake
DVM Veterinary Health Advisor
Get 30% OFF now on the official Pelsbarn website

Recent Readers Comments

Elise T.
Elise T. valid

Maybe we'll buy two more 😂 As you can see, this is the best spot in the house, so we'll probably order some more soon!

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Jessica
Jessica valid

oh wow this really opened my eyes... i always thought dogs could handle heat better. my friend’s german shepherd died at home 3 yrs ago on a hot day from heat stroke and i thought it was just something wrong with him 😢 ordering 2 now, thank u doctor!

Patti B.
Patti B. valid

Sawyer is loving his cooling bed! It’s his favorite spot in the office when his mom is working. And it’s his go to after our walks. It cools him down quickly and pretty soon, he’s fast asleep!

I love how portable it is, too. We took it on vacation recently and my sister’s dog, Dash, fell in love with it. You’d be right in assuming Dash got his own cooling bed the next week!

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Roger
Roger valid

I was very skeptical about this but I was pleasantly surprised by how effective this bed is. I don't know what it is but my pup loves it.

Megan D.
Megan D. valid

I heard flat-nosed dogs have it even worse in the heat..! makes sense now

Natalie
Natalie valid

Bella absolutely loves her cooling bed, the minute I took it out she laid on it. The material is soft but durable, the size is perfect for her to move around in and just very comfy definitely worth your money.

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Laura T.
Laura T. valid

doc can you believe i bought one of those gel cooling mats last year and came home from work to find my terrier jack had chewed it open and eaten like half the gel… it was hell, i’ve never seen him that sick. thank god my vet is just 1 min away…

Eric
Eric valid

Could you maybe make something like this for cats too? I have 3 and it gets really hot here in Miami.

Victoria H.
Victoria H. valid

What is the largest size of this cooling dog bed? Regards.

Paul S.
Paul S. valid

The bed feels really cooling, and I've just laid it down for the first time, and our dog immediately stretched out on it. A good purchase 😃👍

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Randy
Randy valid

Our 13-year-old Labrador had a tough time on warm days last year. Through sponsored ads on Facebook, I found this website. The positive reviews convinced me, and I ordered a cooling dog bed myself. After a few weeks it became Laicka's favorite spot. It's also great for the owners because the bed is so easy to use. You don't have to soak it in water or put it in the fridge or freezer. It's naturally cool, no hassle! Just ordered a second cooling dog bed for our 8-year-old Yorkie as well.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Never trusted those fffff gels

Elaine
Elaine valid

What an invention for hot days! Our dog can finally cool down from the heat, whether on the floor or on the couch. And everything stays clean!

YYvonne
YYvonne valid

I almost want to sleep in it myself! I wasn't convinced at first but once inside, we can't do without it at home. We've washed it a few times and it still looks great!

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