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From: PaulineG
Date: 04-09-2007, 05:38 AM (1 of 11)
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One of my cats is about 13 years old and getting a bit arthritic. We give him medication during the colder months which really seems to help but we were thinking about getting him a heated pet bed to help the aches and pains through this winter. There seems to be a couple of types around - one runs on electricity (apparently its well insulated and protected) and the other goes in the microwave and is supposed to retain it's heat for several hours. We can see advantages and disadvantages to both but this is without having tried them. Has anybody used either of these beds and have an opinion to offer as to how well they work, drawbacks etc. TIA Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Lise
Date: 04-09-2007, 06:48 AM (2 of 11)
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I have a stray cat who has lived in my back porch for over 9 years (he won't come in). He has a hooded cat bed with an electric heating pad in it turned on24 hours per day until the weather warms up. It has not warmed up here yet(just west of Montreal ) There has never been any problem with the heating pad although I buy a new one every couple of years just to be on the safe side. Lise 
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User: Lise
Member since: 07-24-2000 Total posts: 231 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 04-10-2007, 06:10 PM (3 of 11)
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I went and looked at the microwave ones yesterday and don't like them much at all. It's just going to be a choice between the electric ones I think.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-10-2007, 07:39 PM (4 of 11)
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What happens if the old cat loses control and pees? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 04-10-2007, 08:33 PM (5 of 11)
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They're probably like the heating pads we use. They have some protection regarding moisture/electricity. I think the manufacturer of pet beds would be setting themselves up for a lawsuit if they didn't. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-10-2007, 09:20 PM (6 of 11)
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I believe (although I need to check individual units for sure) that they are protected/insulated against water damage. However I have to say I'm not sure how long the cat would have left if it had too many accidents like that. Before I get flooded (pardon the pun) with outraged replies - I don't mean that I'm not prepared to deal with it (although I'm sure I'll mutter some expletives best not mentioned here) - more that if he's hit that stage he's probably not very well. He has been caught short in the past (our fault) and there was the most awful mess in the beanbag. Foolishly I tried to salvage the beanbag cover and consequently our front yard still has beans amongst the grass and flowerbeds. If I can cope with that a bit of cat pee on a cushion cover is nothing. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 04-10-2007, 11:22 PM (7 of 11)
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Do you have Oxyclean in Oz? It's the absolute best thing for any organic stains. With my 7 animules I am so very grateful to have it. Works on sweaty husband's clothing too. Lennie 
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: melinye
Date: 04-29-2007, 08:40 PM (8 of 11)
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You might like to try what I use . I use a bag filled with corn from the local Ace hardware store. It's grain corn-dried. I use a 2 hand towels sewed together. Then I make a pillow case for it. I like to use flannel. Holds the temperture better. Depending on how full you fill it, it will stay warm/hot/cold(if frozen) for a couple of hours by then the cats have warmed the inside of their pillow with their own heat. You can not wash it, but you can empty it and refill it. I also use them for my own aches and pains. They Make great gifts too. Good Luck. 
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User: melinye
Member since: 04-28-2007 Total posts: 5 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-29-2007, 11:09 PM (9 of 11)
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I got him one but he doesn't seem interested in using it. Ungrateful sod! It's fairly subtle with the warmth that comes through so he may not have realised that it has any. You have to put your hand on it for a minute or so to feel anything. Nothing like an electric blanket but I suppose that's what you need for it to be safe. I haven't given up yet though.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 04-30-2007, 12:50 PM (10 of 11)
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I'd say you could use it as a foot warmer for yourself, Pauline. Silly cat, yeah right, like you can MAKE a cat do anything.  You can do what I did. Have an unfinished quilt laying around. Bet you anything he'll find that! My four sure did. Maybe you can hide the warmer in something soft that he can't resist? Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Longblades
Date: 05-01-2007, 09:16 AM (11 of 11)
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What about just an old pure wool sweater? My 14 year old cat has no health concerns but she loves her thick wool sweater in a cardboard box. Because our 14 year old dog has trouble with heat, due to her medications, we turn our heat down very low in winter to keep her comfortable (our gas bill says we've used 30% less gas this winter but it's been 42% colder). The cat really likes to snuggle down into the sweater at night. She can self regulate by exiting the box and sleeping on a more exposed quilt if she wants to. Warning: some cats lick the wool and ingest it. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
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