Are Heated Cat Beds Safe? [ Answered ]

Winters are here, and let’s be honest, as much as we love the winters, they may not be as pleasant for our feline friends.

Compared to hairless cats or cats with fewer fur coats, thick fur cats have it easy!

These cats have a double layer of coating that protects them from the harsh, chilly winters.

But for hairless cats, the winters can be quite harsh.

So opting for a heated cat bed can be soothing for your feline friend.

But are heated cat beds safe? Let’s find out.

Are Heated Cat Beds Safe?

Heated cat beds are more common in winter, as they add a heating element to your cat’s sleeping area.

Be rest assured, your cats loved it.

After all, don’t we all love to be snug inside our warm fuzzy blankets on a cold winter night?

To address the question, yes, heated cat beds are safe for your cats, and you can give them to your feline friend without much worry!

It is because cat beds keep in mind a cat’s requirements. The beds only heat up until a safe and warm temperature for your cat.

But that’s not it – a proper safety check is mandatory to protect your cat from harm and danger.

What are the different types of heated cat beds available in the market?

1. Self-Warming Heated Cat Bed

The core material of a self-warming cat bed comprises many layers of thick fabrics that radiate heat.

How does this work?

The bed comprises a layer of insulating material that reflects your cat’s body heat.

This is what helps keep your cat warm.

2. Cat Beds with Heating Pads

Compared to heated cat beds, heating pads are less effective or sturdy.

These pads are smaller and come in oval, rectangle, square, etc. What makes them different from other available pads in the market is that they come with a heating element.

Interestingly, this heating element can either emit heat due to being connected to an electric supply or reflect the heat your cat’s body can generate.

The good part about these beds is that you can keep them anywhere in your house. All you need to look for is a switchboard close to the bed.

3. Cat Beds with Heating Covers

These cat beds are quite similar to the ones with heating pads but with more advantages.

The most important pro is its portability and ease of placement on any surface.

The covers come with a heating element, and you can keep them anywhere in the house that you want.

Be it on your cat’s favorite sitting area, the couch, or furniture, heating covers can work wonders!

It keeps your cat warm and your furniture safe from scratches and excess fur disposal.

A win-win in both scenarios.

4. Electric Heated Cat Bed

As the name suggests, this cat bed runs on electricity and is most common among cat parents.

People choose this type over others because of the ready availability and cost-effectiveness of the bed.

The heating pad induces heat when it connects to an electric source. However, proper safety precautions ensure that it does not exceed your cat’s body temperature.

5. Outdoor Heated Cat Bed

PVC is the core material that induces heat in this cat bed type.

Now, what is PVC?

PVC is a sturdy material that can withstand and remain unaffected by warm climatic conditions.

The PVC makes this heated cat bed perfect for outdoor placement.

But that’s not it. The makers of this bed have also come up with a fleece fabric that helps keep your cat warm. 

And hey, the bed remains cozy for your cat, even outdoors.

What are the things that one must consider before buying a heated cat bed?

While heating beds fall in the category of all things comfortable and nice, here are a few things to consider if and when you plan on getting one for your cat.

  • If your heating bed generates its heat from an electric point, ensure that the cord is long enough to be away from your cat’s reach. It helps reduce the chances of accidents due to your cat’s proximity to the cable.
  • We all know cats love to chew and play around with foreign objects. So, the second most important thing to consider is the quality of the cable. Please consider investing in a good-quality cable that is durable, chew-resistant, and shock-proof.
  • It would be best if you also ensured that the thermostats within the heating bed are well-insulated and checked before the finished product arrives at your doorstep. You do not want your cat to be in a temperature that causes burns or irritates its skin. Hence, always go for a safe heated bed that regulates the temperature while keeping your cat’s safety in mind.
  • Many cat parents come with a common complaint: it is difficult to clean a heating bed. The solution to this problem is investing in a heating bed with removable heating pads or covers. It makes the cleaning process easy and hassle-free. But let’s make it simple for you.

What are the advantages of a heated cat bed?

If you have a hairless cat like Sphynx or a cat with lesser hair, trust us – give your feline friend a heating bed, and they won’t stop thanking you for it.

Let’s be open. A heated cat bed is every cat’s dream during winter. It helps them keep warm and cozy and gives them a peaceful sleep.

If you still need some more convincing, here are a few more advantages for you to consider –

  1. There is minimal electric consumption, so you do not just save on money, but it also keeps you and your cat safe from short circuits, fire breakouts, and electric shocks.
  2. The heated cat bed will only go up to a certain temperature, automatically adjusting itself to what is safe for your cat. It means your cat is safe from skin rashes, burns, or even falling sick due to an abrupt rise in heat.
  3. Cleaning heated cat beds are super easy and less time-consuming than normal ones. Everything from the heating pads to the heating covers is removable. You can take them off without cleaning the entire bed at once.
  4. The warmth the bed induces helps your cat to sleep better. It keeps your cat from being cranky and releases happy hormones. We all like a little warmth during winter, don’t we?
  5. If you have an old cat suffering from arthritis, consider replacing its existing bed with a heated one. The heat helps relieve joint pain and eases your cat.
  6. You may not know this, but heated cat beds give your cat a sense of warmth, security, and comfort. It means that your cat is in a better mental state and is less likely to experience anxiety or detachment issues.
  7. Last but not least, heated cat beds are made available in the market after proper safety checks, making them completely for your cat’s use.

What are the disadvantages of a heated cat bed?

Every good thing has a fair share of downsides, and a heated cat bed is no different. And we think it’d be unfair to keep that information from you. So here is a list of things you need to know about heated cat beds to make an informed decision.

  1. Consider your cat’s behavioral pattern before purchasing a heated cat bed. It is because if your cat is prone to chewing on foreign surfaces, especially wires, it may come in contact with electricity during its interaction with the bed. The result can be dreadful and range from mild shocks to severe burns.
  2. Similar to the first reason, if your cat chews on the wire – it may ingest harmful chemicals and fall sick.
  3. If the thermostat is not of top-notch quality and fails to regulate the temperature according to the cat’s body temperature – your cat is at a high risk of an accident.
  4. In a multi-cat household, it is advisable not to keep heated cat beds as the cats can entangle themselves on the wires and get shocks.
  5. Accidents may happen if the heated cat bed comes in contact with any form of fluid. So it is always better to ensure that your cat’s feeding bowl and water bowl are far away from the bed. Also, keep close attention to your cat’s eating habits and monitor whenever it tries to drag the water bowl near its bed.

Conclusion

Now that we have come to the end of this article, we hope that we have cleared most of your doubts regarding heated cat beds.

Our advice would be to take it for your cat but to be attentive and careful of the quality you put your money in.

Always read reviews and make an informed decision.

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