How to stay cool in a caravan

Thanks for all your replies. Will look into all your suggestions. Maddie (our Lab) really struggles with her arthritis but she's always loved coming away with us in our caravan so we really want to keep her as comfortable as possible.

Love the coolmat - nice colour too!

We have an elderly very arthritic Lab. He struggles now in the heat. The cool mats sound good, but if it’s super hot, we pour cool (not ice cold) water all over our Lab and this seems to help him in the day. He’s used to swimming in sea, rivers, etc… but wouldn’t entertain the blow up paddling pool we bought him, even if it had biscuits floating in it🤣 Overnight, we get as much of a breeze blowing through van as we can.

Our Airedales used to climb into cattle troughs out on a walk!😲

I saw your picture richardandros and thought that’s a great idea (never heard of them as we don’t have a dog).  Anyway, ordered one from Amazon to be delivered to our grandchildren’s dog in Hertfordshire as they were saying how hot it was.  Mat arrived, dog duly sat on it, then helpfully chewed the corner!!!!!! 🥴🤣🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh Dear!!  Sounds like said dog needs to be given a good talking to

I know this is a bit different solution to the question asked, but a fair few years ago, when we had our black lab, I made her a coat that just fit down her back and a little bit up the back of her neck using the thick white cotton material that chefs wear. (I bought it from our local market, so didn’t cost much). Within seconds of putting it on her, her back was cool. As it folded down and was light, it fit in my pocket and was there for anytime we needed it, whilst out walking. I’m not great on a machine, so took me a bit of time to hand sew, but it worked wonders 👍

Thanks all, once again. We're pleased to say that Maddie is now the proud owner of a bright blue cool mat that should hopefully keep her from overheating through our summer breaks away in the (hopefully sunny but not too hot!) UK. She seems to be quite happy to stretch out and sleep on it, despite the pain of her arthritis.

Our Coolmat is proving invaluable this week at the National Trust's CL at Stourhead. It works a treat, especially for Maddie, our elderly Black Labrador!

Thank you to RichardandRos for your suggestion.

Oh good - I'm pleased I was able to help.  Ours is in the kitchen at the moment (with Meg on it!) and it will be coming away with us next week.

Don't forget - they don't last forever and tend to go flat after a year and lose their gel.  We will be getting another one before long but it's a miniscule price to pay to keep our best friends comfortable.