CooRug Checkered Pet Feeding Mat Review

Intro

Hey—I’m The Pet Dude. I live with a cat, a small dog, and more pet gear than I probably need, so I pay close attention to things that make the feeding area less of a chore. The CooRug Checkered Pet Feeding Mat is one of those inexpensive, utility-first mats you toss under bowls to keep floors dry and catch spills.

In this review I’m working from the product specs and a set of owner experiences I tracked; I didn’t invent any specs. I’ll walk through what it is, how it performs in daily life, how it’s built, safety signals to watch for, who I’d recommend it to (and who I wouldn’t), and a verdict with a short "check before you buy" checklist.

What it is / first look

The CooRug Checkered Pet Feeding Mat is a pet feeding mat sold by CooRug. The listing calls out the material as polyurethane (PU) and describes the mat as absorbent, non-slip, and waterproof. The specific model I handled in this review is listed with item dimensions 17"L x 32"W (the model number is shown as "17" x 32" Green") and a packaged weight of 1.54 pounds. The product is sold as a single mat (included components: 1) and the listing shows multiple size options (including 12" x 20", 16" x 24", and 17" x 32").

The listing enumerates several selling points that I’ll reference throughout the review: strong absorbency to pick up spilled water or milk, an environmentally friendly reusable/recyclable material claim, a non-slip rubber backing and waterproof rubber bottom to prevent seepage into floors, and an easy-to-clean surface that can be wiped or rinsed. The listing also notes it’s suitable for dogs, cats, puppies or other pets and that it can be used under automatic feeders.

Available colors on the listing include these four:

• Green
• Black
• Khaki
• Pink

In daily use

I treat the listing features and owner feedback as my primary data. Here’s how the mat performs in realistic setups based on those notes and the product claims.

For messy drinkers and everyday feeding stations

The listing claims strong absorbency and a waterproof rubber bottom; owners noted the mat "quickly absorbs spilled water" and that it "keeps the floor dry." That aligns with my priorities: if you’ve got a dog who splashes water or a ceramic bowl that drips when your cat licks the rim, the CooRug’s surface and rubber underside are designed to trap small spills and protect floors. Several people reported it being "the perfect size" for a food and water bowl setup at the 17" x 32" size, and one owner specifically called it a great fit for a puppy's food and water bowls.

Cleaning is straightforward per the listing: the surface is described as a special material that resists stains and can be wiped with a damp cloth or rinsed. Owners echoed that—"easy to clean & looks good"—and praised the wipe-downability. If you want a low-effort mat you can rinse at the sink, this design is meeting that goal in practice.

For cats, small multi-pet households, and alternative uses

The listing designates the mat for both cats and dogs, and owner feedback shows people used it under single-bowl and double-bowl setups, and even under plant pots. A handful of owners repurposed it to protect furniture or under potted plants because the rubber bottom is waterproof. One owner said they bought more for under orchids—so the mat can live outside of the feeding station if you need a small waterproof pad elsewhere.

Notes about placement and initial flattening

One note in the owner feedback: a previous comment mentioned the mat might not lay perfectly flat initially. That wasn’t universal—other owners said their mats flattened immediately and without fuss. Based on that mixed signal, expect a short break-in period where the mat may uncurl slightly; if you receive one that rolls up, give it a day or two and weigh the corners down if needed.

Materials & build quality

The listing identifies the material type as polyurethane (PU) and also calls the mat "pet friendly" and "carefully crafted with environmentally friendly recyclable materials." The listing further specifies a non-slip rubber backing and a waterproof rubber bottom. Those are the explicit material/build claims the manufacturer makes.

Owner feedback leaned positive on aesthetics and perceived quality—phrases like "great quality dog food mat," "durable," and "looks exactly as pictured" appear repeatedly. The surface texture (checkered pattern) is described as subtle and attractive by multiple owners, and at least one owner called the mat "soft."

Two build-related caveats from owner notes that I’ll highlight: one, some owners said the checkered color can fade if a cat is actively scratching at the mat—there’s a concrete report of "cats have scratched at it and after a few weeks the color is fading." Two, someone mentioned they wished the mat had a lip to better contain heavier spills. In short, the construction appears sound for everyday spill control and light wear, but aggressive scratching or heavy containment needs aren't explicitly addressed by the design.

Safety considerations

From the listing and owner signals, here are the safety-relevant facts and practical cautions I track as The Pet Dude.

• Materials listed: The product spec lists the material type as polyurethane (PU) and the listing claims recyclable materials. If you have concerns about chemical safety or specific sensitivities, the listing doesn't include third-party certifications or further material breakdown—contact the manufacturer for detailed safety documentation if you need it.
• Non-slip backing: The listing explicitly states a non-slip rubber backing, which is good for preventing bowls and pets from sliding the whole setup. Owners reported it does hold in place and doesn’t move around in typical use.
• Waterproof bottom: The listing calls out a waterproof rubber bottom to prevent seepage into floors. Owners used it under plant pots and loved that it protected floors, consistent with that claim.
• Wear from scratching: Multiple owner notes include a report that cats scratched at the mat and the color faded after a few weeks. Visible wear or flaking could be an ingestion risk for pets who chew or nibble décor items; if a mat shows surface breakdown from scratching or chewing, remove it from unsupervised use.
• Choking or small parts: The listing doesn’t report detachable parts or small pieces. The mat is a single-piece pad, so there are no bowls or attachments that could detach in normal use. That said, any mat can be chewed; monitor pets that are chewers.
• Cleaning and hygiene: Because the listing recommends wiping or rinsing the surface, you can keep the mat sanitary with regular cleaning. Owners reported it resists stains and is easy to clean—both helpful for limiting bacterial buildup under bowls.

Who this is for / who should skip

Use the list below to decide if the CooRug Checkered Mat fits your setup.

Who this is a good match for

• Owners of cats or dogs who want a budget-friendly, easy-to-clean mat under bowls (the listing lists the mat for "Cat, Dog").
• People with messy drinkers—several owners praised its absorbency for spilled water and milk, and the listing emphasizes strong absorbency.
• Households that need a waterproof pad for short-term or light-duty uses—owners used it under plants and automatic feeders, and the listing calls the bottom waterproof.
• Those who want a simple, attractive mat available in multiple colors (Green, Black, Khaki, Pink) and sizes (12" x 20", 16" x 24", 17" x 32").

Who should skip or be cautious

• Pets that scratch or vigorously dig at mats: owner feedback includes at least one report of color fading after a few weeks of cat scratching—if your pet is a heavy scratcher, this mat may show wear.
• Owners who need a raised lip or tray-style containment for very sloppy eaters: one owner explicitly mentioned wishing the mat had a lip to contain spills better.
• People who require detailed material safety certifications: the listing states the material type (PU) and claims recyclable materials, but the listing does not provide third-party certifications or an ingredient breakdown beyond "Polyurethane (PU)."

Verdict

Bottom line: the CooRug Checkered Pet Feeding Mat is a budget-friendly, straightforward floor protector that does what it’s advertised to do—absorb small spills, protect floors with a waterproof rubber bottom, and stay put with a non-slip backing. For tidy-feeding setups and messy drinkers, it’s a practical pick. It’s also attractive and available in a few sizes and colors, which makes it easy to match to a feeding corner or an aesthetic choice.

My main reservation is longevity in households with scratch-prone cats. Owner feedback includes a concrete report that active scratching led to the mat’s color fading after a few weeks; if you have a cat that bats or claws at bowls and mats, expect some cosmetic wear or choose a more robust tray option with raised edges.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the size you need—this model is offered in multiple sizes; the 17" x 32" option is listed in the model name.
• Pick a color from the available options: Green, Black, Khaki, Pink.
• If your pet scratches or chews, consider whether surface wear (color fading) is acceptable; owner notes show fading after a few weeks in one case.
• Decide if you need a lip or tray—this mat is flat and the listing/owners note some users wished for a raised edge.
• For material safety detail or certification questions, the listing names the material as Polyurethane (PU) and calls the materials recyclable; if you need more documentation contact the manufacturer (the listing shows a warranty description field as "1" but does not elaborate on warranty terms).

Overall, for a low-effort floor protector that’s easy to wipe clean and holds bowls steady, the CooRug Checkered Mat is a solid, affordable choice—just temper expectations for heavy scratchers and deep-containment needs.