The web is full of under-bowl mats for dogs and cats and because of this, choosing the best one can be a bit tricky. In many cases you end up choosing the one you like best from an aesthetic point of view, but will it also be the best on the performance side? You'd only find out by using it...except we did it for you and today we reveal everything we found out.

• Under-the-bowl mats for dogs and cats: key features
• Mats for dogs and cats under the bowl: the-different-types
• Our selection of the best dog and cat mats under the bowl

Only those who share their homes with furry, four-legged tenants can really know what needs to be borne in mind when looking for a new under mat. Those who have pets such as dogs and cats, in fact, deal with their habits (or bad habits, depending on your point of view) on a daily basis and take care of all their needs. So who better than these people could tell us what the basic characteristics of a good underlay mat are? We "interviewed" them and came up with a list of 4 must-have skills, which we summarise for you:

- Base: non-slip and snug
- Fabric: smooth, flat and comfortable
- Cleaning: easy, quick and frequent
- Material: absorbent or water-repellent, resistant and non-harmful

A good underlay mat should have a rubber, latex or PVC base that keeps the mat firm and adherent to the floor. You may have seen a pet eat, but it does so without following good manners, and this backing will allow the mat to remain in the exact place where you have placed it.

The preferred fabric is a smooth one that does not collect or retain hair, making it difficult to clean, flat to avoid getting its nails stuck and comfortable because, as we know, dogs and cats prefer softness and cosiness and do not like rough or sharp surfaces.

The material should be durable and certified as being free of harmful substances; puppies (but sometimes also adult animals) love to play with objects that they feel are their own, so choosing materials that are durable or that, if crushed, do not cause damage is important. In this regard, one of the certifications you should look for on the product label is the OEKO-TEX certification.
From the material then, there are those who demand absorbency and those who demand impermeability. Absorbency to retain water or other liquids that may leak from the bowl, water-repellency to prevent the mat from staining or emitting unpleasant odours over time.

As for cleaning, it goes without saying that a mat that performs the function, so to speak, of a pet tablecloth will need to be washed frequently. Therefore, the best material will be one that is easy and quick to clean, such as rubber or PVC that can be washed with a simple wipe with a sponge, or synthetic fibres (which are stronger and more durable than natural fibres) such as microfibre, nylon or polypropylene that can be washed frequently and thoroughly (even in a washing machine).

As mentioned earlier, there are two main types of underlay mats: those made of rubber or pvc and those made of synthetic fibres.
The substantial difference between the two types lies in their structure. The rubber or pvc ones have no fibres, as opposed to the synthetic ones, which are made from a (more or less dense) weave.

The former seem to be more favoured by those who prefer an accessory that does not attract hair and does not absorb liquids, as well as lending itself to even coarse but daily cleaning. The latter, on the other hand, are favoured by those who prefer the classic conception of the carpet as a textile in its own right and which can only be washed more thoroughly, preferably directly in the washing machine.

Which side are you on?

Based on the information we have gathered, to make it easier for you to choose, we have created a selection of underlay mats in different types, materials and graphic prints. We hope that you will find the right one for you and your pet.