Keep your pup cool this summer with a cooling bed.

The family pet wants to be by your side as much as possible, especially when he notices how much time you and the family have been spending in the great outdoors. But Fido’s fur coat may be practically unbearable in the heat of the summer…. Thanks to innovative pet product manufacturers who have your best friend’s comfort in mind, you can provide Fido with an outdoor “waterbed” that stays cool to the touch. So when he’s taking a break from playing with the kids, he can relax poolside and cool down.  

There are plenty of options when it comes to these types of dog beds. If you are worried that your pooch will poke a hole or chew on the bed (it’s filled with a gel substance, so he might think it's a toy), you might want to look into a shaded dog bed, or one that is elevated to keep his belly off the hot ground.

Prices are typically low for the gel-filled pads: ruff-ly (I couldn’t resist) $30 to $80, depending on the size of your dog. Some come with washable covers for the gel pad, which are pretty inexpensive (only about $13). Elevated, or hammock-style dog beds are very affordable too ($45 to $75), but they do not offer the coolant insert. Then, there are the full-blown dog cabanas. Yes, these are ornate and completely over the top, not to mention expensive ($200 to $1,000), but isn’t your best friend worth it?