-Sara Seitz, Catster
Is Zonli’s Pet Cooling Mat a Good Value?
There are cooling mats out there that cost a fraction of what this one does. But most of these are gel-based (not a great option for cats given those sharp claws) or require frequent wetting or freezing to keep the coolness flowing. If you want a hands-off cooling solution, you’ll have to pay more.
At about $42, this mat is more expensive than some other premiere brands, but, in my experience, it is also more effective.
Editor's Experience With the Zonli Pet Cooling Mat
For anyone who has read my reviews before, you’re probably familiar with my problematic kitty, Makoa. He has a condition called pica, which means he likes to snack on inedible objects, which occasionally lands him at the emergency vet.
To help reduce how much access he has to things he might decide to eat when no one’s looking, we have to lock him in the laundry room overnight. He has a comfy setup with plenty of toys, snacks, and a plush bed.
But as summer crept in, it became clear that leaving the window open in there wasn’t going to be enough to keep him cool overnight. That’s when I started seeking out a comfortable, cooling bedding option for him.
The Zonli Pet Cooling Mat was perfect for the space and had me very hopeful that Makoa would be more comfortable overnight, even on those sweltering evenings.
To help reduce how much access he has to things he might decide to eat when no one’s looking, we have to lock him in the laundry room overnight. He has a comfy setup with plenty of toys, snacks, and a plush bed.
But as summer crept in, it became clear that leaving the window open in there wasn’t going to be enough to keep him cool overnight. That’s when I started seeking out a comfortable, cooling bedding option for him.
The Zonli Pet Cooling Mat was perfect for the space and had me very hopeful that Makoa would be more comfortable overnight, even on those sweltering evenings.
There is no question about which side of this mat features the cooling technology. The instant I set my hand on the silky fabric, I could feel the chill. It’s a weird sensation because, unlike silk and other cool-touch fabrics, that coldness remains apparent no matter how long I leave my hand on it.
I knew this would be perfect for Makoa to use overnight. But first, I let him test it out around the house.
He was definitely attracted to the feel of it and sat on it no matter where I put it. The only issue we encountered was that my Chihuahua, Papyrus, also thought it looked like a great place to nap!
That night, I moved the mat up to the laundry room.
I got the medium size, which ended up being about perfect for the space once I folded it in half. It’s big enough for him to stretch out on, which is how he tends to sleep on warm nights. And the doubling up adds another layer of luxurious comfort over the hard table I put it on.
He has been sleeping on it every night since I got it.
I love that I don’t have to do anything for this mat to be effective. I literally haven’t touched it since I moved it to the laundry room and it’s still providing effective heat relief each and every night. This is a major difference compared to most cooling pet mats that require pre-freezing or soaking every time you want to use them.
Once the weather changes, I plan on flipping it over and using it to add an extra layer of comfort to Makoa’s favorite round cuddle bed. It’s thick enough to provide support and comfort, but still thin enough to act like a thick blanket if you need it to.
This is a well-made bed that feels durable and soft and definitely delivers on the cooling aspect. I like that it is washable and easy to care for, as well.
All this is to say that there isn’t much I would change.
Since it’s mainly marketed for dogs, the smallest size is still pretty large. Having a smaller option may make it more useful to cat owners. But, like I said, it’s easy enough to fold in half for smaller pets and smaller spaces.
The material used is durable and effective, but it’s not made of natural fibers like Zonli’s Z-Magic comforter for humans.
As usual, I’d love it if they offered more color choices, as well.
But overall, I have been really impressed with this product. It truly does feel cool to the touch and that coolness lasts.
Makoa has certainly enjoyed it, as have my dogs. I plan on buying a few more for them next summer.
