Heated Cat Beds
Even though cats come with their own "fur coat", sometimes
it's necessary to supply your cat with a heated cat bed.
Sometimes the only place you want your cat to sleep is very cold,
and you need to keep your cat warm. Other cats really love heat
so a heated cat bed is perfect for them. Some cats, too, love to
sleep on heaters and on top of hot water systems and as these places
are not temperature regulated your cat can easily overheat. Heated
cat beds are also great for a sick cat as their internal body
temperature regulation system may not work so well.
Typically a heated cat bed has a thermostat which keeps the temperature
at a steady 102°F. Usually cats won't enjoy a higher temperature
and will refuse to sleep on an over-hot cat bed. Ensure when buying
that your choice of bed has a thermostat so that it won't overheat.
Another important point is to ensure that your cat cannot reach
any wires or electrical components and chew through them. If your
cat comes in contact with electrical current the results can be
fatal! Take safety precautions when setting up your heated cat bed.
Types of heated cat beds
Pet Bed Warmers
These are typically a heating pad that you put in or under your
existing cat bed to boost the warmth in very cold weather or if
your cat is convalescing. They are quite simple, just plug them
in and they are ready to go. Ensure that it is waterproof and the
lead is long enough to reach the bed from a nearby power outlet.
Cheaper pet bed warmers are recommended only for indoors use, and
are suitable for both cats and dogs. It is best to put the warmer
to one side of the bed so your cat can move to the cooler side if
she feels too toasty.
Heated Cat Beds
These come in a mind boggling number of styles, from a simple flat
mat to a heated cat house. What you choose will depend on your budget
and your cat's preference. Most cats will be more than happy with
even the simplest heated cat bed but if your treasure is a little
fussy spend a little extra time selecting just the right bed for
her.
Infra Red lamps
Some people believe that an infrared lamp placed above the cat bed
is a great solution. Geoff Yarham of Brookfield writes:
"I wasn't sure that heating from below would provide enough
warmth for my elderly cat Samantha, so I purchased an infrared lamp
from Wal-Mart and hung it above her bed. She absolutely loves it.
I made sure that it was at sufficient height so that when she stands
up her ears don't get burnt! The lamp keeps Samantha warm and cozy
on those really cold winter nights".
As Geoff said, make sure the lamp is set up so that there is no
danger of puss touching it and burning her fur.
The cheapest solution
If you can't afford a pet bed warmer or fancy heated cat bed, the
simple solution is to buy a hot water bottle for your cat! Just
before bed fill the bottle with very hot water, wrap it in a towel
and put it into your cat's bed. It will make the bed nice and warm
for puss and last for hours!
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