Cooling Pad for Barn Cats

The kittens are getting bigger, nearing 9 months of age now, but one in particular is still quite petite and both have likely not seen enough of nighttime rural foes to be proficient against a wandering or flying nighttime predator like raccoons, coyotes or owls – so they still spend the nights secured inside their “catio” we put together for them in the barn.

Because eventually, I’d prefer not to have to lock them up, I’m re-constructing some old pieces of furniture they could use as predator escape help, but that is still in the works and not ready yet. Come heat of summer and going forward, I’d love to not feel like I have to lock them up anymore, but we’ll see how that shakes out…

Until then, I got this awesome and very durable looking mat to help them stay cool and comfy on nights they are locked up. It is from “Cooler Dog” – I found it on Amazon – and although I noticed all the good reviews, I am still impressed with it’s quality. This video I made after unboxing it, shows how you put it together and ready it for use – supereasy. Of course, you just need time to freeze the “ice pack” part. I was wondering how a cat was going to ‘enjoy’ sitting on a totally cold surface, but it comes with a “waterbed” pad you use on top of the icepack, which helps “distribute the cool” according to their product instructions…I am still wondering how long it will stay cool, but even if just long enough to cool them down some from a hot afternoon/evening til it “cools” down somewhat for the nighttime hours, I think they’re likely to like it!

I also ordered a second “ice pack” so on the endless string of hot nights we expect in summertime, I can just switch them out daily and always have one ready to go.

Since it is mid-nineties today here in north Texas, and no one (including the horses and cows) have completely shed their winter coats yet, I plan to give it a little tryout tonight. I’ll put it on the bottom level of their “catio” – which is concrete barn floor, which should help it stay as cool as it can. Will update the post tomorrow if I have any feedback…stay tuned, but I think this will be quite handy in the barn. 🙂