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Heated cat bed

Also called Electric cat bed, Heated cat pad, Heated cat mat

Updated

What is a heated cat bed?

A heated cat bed is a bed or pad with a small electric heating element that plugs into a wall outlet. The pet versions made by K&H run on 4 to 20 watts, and K&H says their built-in thermostat warms the surface toward a cat's body temperature only while the cat lies on it.

How does a heated cat bed work?

A heated cat bed works through a thin heating pad under the cushion, wired to a power cord. K&H, which makes six of the nine products in our guide, says its heaters have an internal thermostat that keeps an empty bed at or just above room temperature and warms it toward a pet's normal body temperature once the cat lies down. That is why many heated beds do not feel warm to a hand.

Most indoor heated cat beds draw very little power: K&H lists 4 watts for its Thermo-Kitty Bed and 6 watts for its Thermo-Kitty Mat. Outdoor shelters use stronger heaters, such as the 20-watt pad in the K&H Outdoor Kitty House.

Are heated cat beds safe?

Heated beds need care, because any heat source can burn. The AVMA says heated pet mats should be used with caution because they can still cause burns, and VCA warns that heating pads made for people can overheat under a sleeping pet, a risk it calls highest for elderly, arthritic or sick pets. VCA also flags the risk of a pet chewing the cord.

A bed made for pets, with a low wattage and a thermostat, is a different product from a human heating pad, but the same habits apply: leave the cat room to move off the heat, route the cord where it cannot be chewed, and follow the maker's instructions. If your cat has trouble getting up or moving, ask your vet before using any heated bed.

What to look for

  • A heater made for pets, with a thermostat, not a human heating pad
  • A safety listing for the whole product from a testing lab
  • A removable heater, so the cover or bed can be machine washed
  • Room in or around the bed for the cat to move off the warm spot

Using a human heating pad instead

VCA warns that a heating pad can heat up and burn a sleeping pet. Use a product made for pets, and never shut a cat in a crate or carrier with a heat source it cannot get away from.

Questions about heated cat bed

Should a heated cat bed feel warm to the touch?

A heated cat bed from K&H often does not feel warm to the touch when empty. K&H says its thermostat keeps an empty bed at or just above room temperature and only warms to full temperature when a pet lies on it. K&H points buyers to the How to Test guide on its Amazon listings for checking that the heater works.

Can I leave a heated cat bed plugged in all the time?

Follow your own bed's instructions, because makers differ. K&H says its thermostat keeps the bed near room temperature when empty, but VCA advises using the lowest setting, supervising, and keeping the cord away from chewing. Check the cord often, and unplug the bed if the cover or cord is wet or damaged. Ask your vet if your cat is elderly or has trouble getting up.

Where this comes up

Sources