The Cool Necessities products have been developed and are fully manufactured here in Australia.  With the heat we experience in Australia, we thought it necessary to produce something to keep our animal friends (and ourselves) cool.   The products are made out of cotton/polyester fabric with a water saving crystal inside.  The crystals are completely non-toxic to animals and the products are simple to use.    Simply place the mat in water for approx. 10 minutes and the mat is ready to use.  The crystals absorb water and the outside fabric dries quickly which means that you and your animal can use the product without getting wet. Because the crystal remains 'wet' the product feels cool.   When you feel the product after it has been activated, you will notice that it doesn’t feel “cold”, just cool.  Like us, animals cannot withstand very cold temperatures against their skin for long periods.  The Cool Necessities products remain at a temperature of approximately 21 degrees Celsius.  When the animal lies on the mat they will feel the cool sensation coming through the fabric.   The product will stay cool for up to 5 days before it will need to be re-activated by submersion in water.  This will vary depending on the climate the product is exposed to, the higher the humidity of the environment, the longer the crystal will stay cool.  The way it works is by evaporative cooling, meaning that it needs to be able to breathe in order for the crystal to work most effectively.  Every mat sold comes with instructions to ensure you get the maximum life out of the product.   The Cool Necessities products are ideal for pets who travel.  The mats will sit comfortably in the car or your pet’s transport crate, without taking up much space or making the crate any heavier.  The Cool Necessities products are lightweight.  You can easily move the mat to wherever your dog prefers to lie making it a great product for dogs that may live both inside and outside the house.   The Cooling Mats come in four different sizes, one to suit every breed of dog.  Fully machine washable covers are available for the mats and come in a variety of colours.  The bandanas come in 3 sizes and various colours, to suit all personalities. Visit our Product page to view product sizes and colours.