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5 DIY Cat Cooling Pads You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
Generally, cats will seek out the warmest spot they can for sleeping. In their opinion, we keep our homes too cool to suit them. However, there are certain circumstances where keeping your cat cool is more urgent.
If you live in a hot climate, temperatures can easily soar to dangerous heights, endangering outdoor cats. Homes without air conditioners also need alternate options to keep both cats and people cool in high temperatures.
Before you shell out your hard-earned cash for a cooling pad, check out these eight DIY options! Many are made using upcycled materials, making them easy on both your wallet and the planet as well. Many are listed as dog cooling mats but are easily adapted for use by a cat.
Ready to get started? Here’s our list of cat cooling pad plans:
The 5 DIY Cat Cooling Pads
1. DIY Cooling Pad From Diapers (Yes, Diapers) by Jing Fabz
| Materials: | 3 diapers, water, plastic storage bags |
| Tools: | Scissors, basin |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Yes, you read that right: this cooling pad is made from baby diapers. Parents of newborns can keep their cats cool without ever having to leave the house. As a bonus, they'll find out what happens if they forget to take their baby's diaper off before putting them in the bath (you'd be surprised!).
This project is simple for all ages and experience levels. Need to entertain older kids while the baby naps? Let them cut up the diapers for this project. They'll love being allowed to destroy something and you'll have one less task to accomplish.
2. Easy Cooling Pad With Cornstarch And Salt by Lanievin TUTA
| Materials: | Water, salt, cornstarch, plastic storage bags, packing tape |
| Tools: | Pot, stove, spoon, freezer |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This simple cooling pad is made with materials you probably have at home right now! The most difficult part of this DIY project is waiting 5 hours for the pad to freeze before use. The pads are also reusable, as long as your cat doesn’t tear the plastic bag.
This cooling pad is made by following simple directions, outlined in detail by the video tutorial. Once frozen, wrap the pads in a cloth or place them under your cat’s bed for use. This will keep your cat from contacting the frozen surface and also prolong the life of the cooling pads.
3. Quick DIY Sew Cooling Mat by Tasty Home
| Materials: | Cloth or canvas shoe rack, fleece, thread, ice packs |
| Tools: | Scissors, sewing pins, sewing machine, or needle |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy-moderate |
This upcycled cooling pad is cleverly made from an old cloth shoe hanging rack lined with fleece. The pockets that previously contained your favorite shoes are repurposed to hold small ice packs, allowing your cat to snuggle on the fleece and keep cool in the process.
This project is simple to make but could be time-consuming if you don't have access to a sewing machine as the tutorial suggests. Experienced sewers should be able to make this pad quickly.
4. DIY Pet Cool-Off Pad by Diana Rambles
| Materials: | Fleece fabric, ice packs |
| Tools: | Scissors, sewing machine, or needle and thread |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy-moderate |
This cute cooling pad is designed for a small dog but is just the right size for a cat too! Composed of soft, insulating fleece fabric, this cooling pad is essentially a blanket with handy pockets to slip ice packs inside. The materials are inexpensive, and because fleece comes in so many different colors and patterns, the project can be a lot of fun to customize as well.
The instructions call for a sewing machine, which will make the job go faster. This project isn't complicated but does require careful attention to detail to ensure the sewing is completed correctly.
5. DIY Outdoor Cooling Pad by The Cape Coop
| Materials: | Cinder blocks, ceramic tiles, plastic storage bags, or water bottles |
| Tools: | Shovel |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy-moderate |
This outdoor cooling pad was originally conceived for bunnies but also works for cats. The difficulty level mainly depends on how hard it is to dig a hole for the cinder blocks. Hot summers sometimes equal a drought, and dry ground can be a chore to dig up. A quick tip: use a hose to wet and soften the soil before beginning.
Once the blocks are buried, the next step is placing ice packs into the holes before setting the tiles on top. Keep fresh ice packs on hand to rotate so outdoor kitties always have a spot to cool off.
What Are The Signs Of Heatstroke?
Cooling pads are useful in helping your cat keep cool, but they might not be enough in really extreme temperatures. The normal cat body temperature is 100-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes a bit higher in long-haired cats. If a cat's temperature spikes above 105 degrees, they are in danger of suffering heat stroke.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Signs of heatstroke include:
If you're concerned your cat is suffering from heatstroke, get them to a cool location right away and contact your vet for instructions. Your vet may ask you to begin cooling your cat as you transport them to seek medical attention.
In Conclusion
As you can see, making your cat cooling pad is easy and often requires only simple tools and materials. You don't need to be a seasoned DIYer to accomplish your goal, and your cat will appreciate having a chilled spot to lie down. If you're caring for outdoor cats, make sure they also have access to plenty of fresh water and shade to keep them comfortable and safe.
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Featured Image Credit: Yulia YasPe, Shutterstock
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A lifelong lover of all creatures great and small, Elizabeth got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. After spending more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse, Elizabeth decided to step away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. Now, she is excited to share her knowledge with our pet parents. Elizabeth lives in Iowa with her family, including her two fur kids, Linnard, a husky mix and Algernon, the worldʻs most patient cat. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching soccer, and spending time outdoors with her family.
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