During the cold winter months, you may be looking for a way to keep your favorite pet warm - especially if you have drafty windows. Pets are sensitive to the cold just like we are, so if they stay outside for long periods of time, or if the temperature inside is cooler than normal, their immune systems are weakened and their chances of getting sick increase.
A warm cushion that your beloved pet can sit on. Sounds perfect, right? However, some owners are concerned about safety issues. Are heating pads safe ...... In most cases, yes.
The positive side
Pet heating mats require very little electricity, so the risk of fire, overheating or electric shock is not high. Since the mats are specifically intended for pets, most will not be warmer than your pet's internal body temperature, and you can be confident that they will work for long periods of time. Overall, pet heating pads are relatively safe, so you don't have to worry about them causing damage to your pet or your home.
Negatives
Unfortunately, in some cases, pet heating pads may not be safe in your home, but the key to knowing if it's worth it is how well you know your pet. Pet heating pads themselves are unlikely to harm them. Your pet, on the other hand, could harm itself by tampering with the heating pad.
For example, if your pet has a habit of chewing things, they could chew through the cord or pad and end up electrocuting or burning themselves. If they go further than chewing and actually start eating the pad, they may end up with an intestinal blockage. The wires inside the pad generate heat, and if they are eaten, they can wreak havoc on your cat's insides, leaving you with huge veterinary bills.
You also need to make sure that the temperature of the heating pad does not exceed your cat's body temperature. If the electric heating pad sits too long and starts to get hot, your pet could get burned.
Also, because the electric heating pad is electric, it has a cord that could cause strangulation if your pet plays with it or gets tangled in it.
If you want to buy a pet heating pad, do your research first. Make sure you get a pad that has good reviews and won't overheat. Once you have one, keep an eye on it when your pet is using it and avoid leaving it overnight.
