Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Had I given it much thought before buying this mat, I wouldn't have. It, apparently, depends on the thermal conductivity through the gel into the atmosphere to cool the pet. Since I live in the desert of southwest Texas, the difference between my dogs normal temperature (app 101°) and our daytime air temperature (app 95° or more) isn't enough for effective thermal diffusion - simply stated, in an area where the high temp might be in the 80's, this would probably be effective; in those areas where it would be most desirable (like the American desert) it would seem to become less effective. I now have to join the "it's a mess!" group after having it for 3 days!!! I have one dog who occasionally lays on it and it's sprung a leak! If he pawed at it, I might understand, he doesn't. The other two dogs want nothing to do with it - at all!If I didn't live in the middle of nowhere where returning things is more of a hassle than it's worth, I'd definitely return it. Tried to give my dogs some comfort (I'd have bought two more if the one had worked well) and the result is a sticky, slimy mess. Not a good day! Definitely not a happy camper! Edit: I have no idea what the gel is, it's said to be non-toxic but it's given the one dog who used the pad a really bad tummy ache. He hasn't eaten on over 36 hours after I saw him licking the pad. ((My fault, I should have tossed it when it started to leak.)) I would still like to know what the ingredients to the gel are.