Our Final Verdict
We give Zonli Pet Cooling Mat a rating of 4.85 out of 5 stars.
Quality: 4.8/5
Effectiveness: 4.9/5
Usefulness: 5/5
Value: 4.7/5
Is it just me, or are summers getting hotter and hotter? I know my cat agrees with me. In a bid to find him some relief from this summer’s many 95+ degree days, I stumbled upon Zonli’s Pet Cooling Mat.
Zonli, a sleeping goods company specializing in creating innovative products to help people sleep better, recently extended their product line to pets. One of their most popular pet products is their Pet Cooling Mat.
This unique mat mixes natural properties and scientific innovation to bring your kitty a luxurious sleeping mat that’s made to be as cooling as it is comforting. This mat features non-toxic, self-cooling material to provide relief without the effort. And because summer only lasts so long, it’s also reversible, with cozy, warming fabric on the opposite side.
As soon as this innovative cooling mat arrived, my cat, Makoa, fell in love with it. I’ve been pretty impressed with it myself. To find out where this product shines and who might benefit from using it, keep reading to see my full Zonli Pet Cooling Mat Review.
About Zonli
Zonli is a Hong Kong-based company on a mission to help people and pets around the world sleep better. This mission started after the founder’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy. The treatment left her with a bad case of insomnia largely due to her inability to regulate her body temperature throughout the night.
To help his mother, he created a cooling blanket made of soft, breathable materials that could offer comfort and help regulate body temperature. From the conception of this “Z-Magic” blanket, Zonli has grown to offer dozens of innovative sleep products for humans and the pets they love.
Where Are Zonli Products Produced?
Zonli products are designed at their Hong Kong headquarters. They are manufactured in Hong Kong, China, and the USA.
Zonli prides itself on using non-toxic fibers and materials. Their pet products are safe, durable, and machine washable.
Which Type of Pets is The Pet Cooling Mat Best Suited For?
The Pet Cooling Mat is largely marketed for dogs. However, as any cat owner knows, if it’s a thing that can be sat upon, a cat will sit on it!
This is certainly the case with this comfy mat. For kitties who need a little help staying cool in the summer, it’s the perfect solution.
It can be folded to fit any space and makes a great addition to catios, cat trees, sofas, or your cat’s favorite cardboard box. When the weather changes and a chill takes the air, simply flip this mat over to provide your kitty with a cozy place to curl up.
Because this mat is non-toxic and made with durable, kitty-claw-proof material, it’s a great option for cats young and old.
Pet Cooling Mat Overview
Here is an overview of Zonli’s Pet Cooling Mat. We’ll look at what this mat is made of, how it works, the different options available, and what other great pet products this company offers.
Material
This pet mat is made of nylon and polyester, two hypoallergenic materials that are known for their durability and easy care. Infused into the silky side of this bed is Arc-Chill cool technology fabric.
On the opposite side, you’ll find a plush, almost fuzzy fabric that feels warm to the touch.
The entire blanket is machine washable on the gentle cycle. But don’t expect to have to wash it much, at least not in the summer. The slick fabric on the cooling side naturally repels cat hair and dirt so it stays cleaner longer.
How It Works
The innovative Arc-Chill material used in this mat naturally draws heat from the skin, absorbs it, and then releases it into the air. This allows the material to stay cool to the touch all day and night long.
Compared to cotton, the cooling material used in this bed is over four times colder to the touch. It’s also cooler feeling than bamboo, silk, and lyocell.
Just as cats can sense even the slightest difference in warmth when they’re searching for a cozy place, they’ll have no problem homing in on this cool fabric when it’s time to chill out.
This cooling fabric is only used on one side of the bed. So when the weather gets chilly, all you have to do is flip it to the plush side and let your kitty cozy up. This soft, denser fabric holds onto pockets of air that retain heat to help your cat feel naturally warmer.
Options
The Pet Cooling Mat is available in three different colors: gray, rose pink, and ivory white. For each option, the plush side has a deeper color than the silky side, giving it a nice two-tone look.
There are also three sizes available for this mat:
- Medium (23” by 36”)
- Large (28” by 48”)
- Extra Large (40” by 59”)
I purchased the medium size for my cat and it is plenty large. In fact, I usually use it folded in half to fit in his favorite sleeping spots, but that just makes it all the more comfortable.
Other Pet Products
The Pet Cooling Mat isn’t the only pet-specific product this company offers.
For adventurous cats, you can take your cooling power on the road with Zonli’s Z-Magic Pet Cooling Mat. This mat has many of the same great features as the newer cooling option, including Arc-Chill material, a reversible design, and durable fabric. But this one is designed for use inside the house as well as outside, featuring a water-resistant coating and roll-up design for easy portability.
Zonli also offers a heated mat for those cooler months.
This USB Heated Pet Mat is made of supreme sherpa and velvet. It connects to your car charger or USB plug for electric heat anywhere your cat needs it. With three warming settings, it does a wonderful job keeping barn cats, catio dwellers, and comfort kitties warm and cozy no matter the weather.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Instant cool-touch feel
- Stays cool all day and night long
- Non-toxic material
- Durable and claw-resistant
- Machine washable
Cons
- No small size available
- Not overly thick
Key Features
Stay-Cool Fabric
With this innovative cooling mat, you don’t have to worry about having a power source, keeping it wet, or preparing the mat for it to provide lasting relief against the heat. The material naturally wicks heat from the skin and releases it into the air to keep your kitty feeling cool for the entirety of every cat nap.
Non-Toxic and Durable
Durable nylon and polyester are both hypoallergenic and non-toxic, making this mat safe for all cats, even those who like to chew. And, because these materials are highly durable, this mat will stand up to that chewing, as well as clawing and scratching. This pet-safe bed was built to last.
Reversible for Year-Round Use
The cooling technology of this bed certainly sets it apart, but this isn’t a single-season product. Thanks to the reversible design, it is just as useful for those cooler seasons as it is for the summer. Once the temps start to dip, simply flip this bed over to the plush side to give your kitty a nice, warm, comfortable spot to cozy up.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does this mat help keep pets cooler?
The material used in this cooling mat was developed in the lab and is scientifically proven to feel cooler on the skin than any other fabric. This helps wick heat from the body for better temperature regulation in warm conditions.
Do cats like the Zonli Pet Cooling Mat?
Yes, absolutely! Cats are known for seeking out heat, but when it’s sweltering out, they are much more likely to look for a cool place to lay. The cool-to-touch feel of this bed along with the plush comfort will attract cats as well as dogs.
Is this mat washable?
Yes, just be sure to use the gentle cycle and tumble dry on low.
Our 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.
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.
Conclusion
If your cat struggles to stay cool in the heat, I highly recommend Zonli’s Pet Cooling Mat. This innovative mat uses Arc-Chill material to pull heat from the body and provide lasting relief all day and night.
The best part? It doesn’t require any freezing, wetting, or other upkeep. The cooling power is natural and continuous so your cat can enjoy it whenever they need to chill out.
This Pet Cooling Mat is durable, washable, and reversible so you can use it to spoil your kitty all year long.
