IT’S been hailed a ‘game-changer’ when it comes to getting to sleep on hot nights.
But would you sleep on a gel pillow designed to keep your dog or cat cool in a heatwave?
2
2
Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and whilst they are designed for animals, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves – or nicking them from their four-legged friends.
Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their ‘unhinged tips on how to stay cool’ during hot spells, one social media user wrote: “Borrowed by cat’s gel cooling mat as she’s uninterested in it and it’s a lifesaver.”
With temperatures set to hit the mid-30s in parts of the UK this week, I’m happy to give anything a go in a bid to stave off the extreme heat and get some kip.
There are lots available to buy including a Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Mat for just £5 at petsathome.com, or a slightly larger and more plush Weashume Dog Cool Gel Pad for £10.99 on amazon.
I opt for one from Chillmax costing just under £6 on Amazon, which has dozens of five-star reviews online.
When it arrives it doesn’t look much. It’s a simple blue mat filled with cooling gel.
But manufacturers claim it absorbs excess heat and dissipates it away for up to three hours, giving your skin a lovely cool feeling.
There’s no water so no refilling is necessary.
You simply pop it in the fridge and get it out when your pet needs a rest so they can lay on it and cool down.
I popped it in the fridge during the day, then laid it over my sheet when it was time for bed.
It was pretty hard to lay my entire body weight down on it as it felt icy cold. I really had to grit my teeth.
I laid on it feeling pretty uncomfortable, but after around five minutes, the initial discomfort eased, my body adjusted to the cold and I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly.
This was quite an achievement as I’ve been really tossing and turning of late due to the frequent spells of hot weather.
In fact, I think I fell asleep at least 45 minutes faster than I had on previous hot nights. It was actually quite calming too and refreshing.
The coolness wears off after a few hours and though it was soft enough to lay on, I woke up feeling a little uncomfortable.
But I just pulled it out from under me and tossed it on the floor.
The next night I tried putting it on top of my pillow case but I found the cold felt too extreme against my face.
It was a little better inside the pillow case, but still I preferred it near my body.
This funny little pet pillow has become a must-have in my bedroom now for hot nights.
Even better as it’s so small, you can easily take it away with you if you need to. No need to lug a big fan around instead.
You can also wipe it clean, making it a good gel option as most are built into the pillow and can’t be washed.
You can sit on it whilst working if you want to, though I did not find this comfortable.
But I didn’t mind using it as a foot rest on hot working days and it can also be used as a laptop cooling pad.
My kids kept stealing it saying it kept them cool so I guess I might be buying more to keep us all as cool as cucumbers.
Others have said similar pet mats are not only helpful in the heatwave but hot flushes, too.
One Amazon reviewer said it was brilliant for menopausal women, especially for the price.
You can spend £20 to £30 on a pet cooling pillow, but most of us won’t want to pay that much when the heatwave doesn’t last long in the UK.
Similar products designed for humans also tend to be more pricey.
This is wallet-friendly and effective. For less than £6 this is a real bargain. If it’s good enough for Fido, it’s good enough me.
No more sweaty nights here.
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
IT can be really difficult – and costly – to keep kids cool when it’s hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won’t break the budget either.
Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
