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We all get cold, especially during chilly or windy and rainy nights. Our pets are no exception, and a dog heating pad or heated dog bed will come in handy for keeping your dog warm enough. Dogs stand the risk of getting hypothermia if they get too cold, so you should never let that happen.
What are dog heating pads? These devices, like those for humans, help to warm a dog up by regulating the temperature and making it optimal. Apart from warming up dogs, these devices also help to relieve aching and sore muscles. Much like the way those for humans do. In fact, dogs that are suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other related conditions will benefit greatly from heated dog beds.
It is not recommended that you use your own pad for your pet. Heating pads for dogs are made a little differently than those for humans. And so human heat pads are usually much warmer than those for pets. Using yours for your pet might be uncomfortable and unsafe for the animal. Therefore, you should get one that is designed especially for dogs.
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How to choose a heated dog bed
Before buying any product at all, whether you are buying one for yourself or your pet, it is always best to know what to watch out for. So that you will not be disappointed in the end. Below are the following things that you should know about heated pads for pets before you buy one for your pooch.
The size of the electric dog bed you are buying
Size is one of the most important factors that you should consider when getting one of these devices. Some of them are made specifically with small dogs in mind, while others are made with large dogs in mind.
If you have a large dog, getting one that is smaller in size than what your pet needs would not serve your purposes, so you should make sure to confirm the size and dimensions of what you are getting. Doing this would ensure the comfort of your dog.
If possible, get a pet indoor warming mat that is a little longer (with about 5 inches) than your dog when the animal stretches out fully on it. Most manufacturers will usually have different sizes of the same mat so that you can easily choose from them.
Types of dog heating pads and the medium the product uses to warm the animal
The type of heating mechanism your pet’s pad uses is entirely up to you. Electric dog heating pads will need to be plugged into an electric outlet to work. However, they are more versatile than the others as they provide different degrees of temperature. Therefore, you can use them all year round by reducing the temperature when it is not too chilly and increasing it during times like winter when it is bitterly cold.
Self-heating ones use your pet’s body temperature to warm the animal (with the use of thermal-reflective materials).
While they do not require electricity to work and can save you energy bills, they do not offer as many heating options as electrical ones.
Microwaveable ones need to be put in a microwave for some minutes to warm up your pet. They have a sort of gel that keeps them warm for hours after they are removed from the microwave, keeping your pet warm throughout that period. They have the problem of not producing heat that can last as long as electrical ones can, and you cannot regulate them to be exactly what your pet needs.
Some people are not comfortable with electric pads, but it is worth noting that manufacturers follow safety rules when producing these items. If you do get one, make sure you get one with a chew-resistant cord if you have a dog that loves to chew a lot. The electric pads in this article are safe for you to use for your pet.
Quality of the product
Needless to say, but if you purchase an inferior product, it will not give you good value for your money, more so a heated product. If the item is to last, then it has to be made with quality materials. Apart from non-quality ones not lasting, there is the fact that they are more prone to fire hazards and stuff like that.
Safety features
If you are getting an electric mat, ensure that the one you are buying has enhanced safety features. For instance, you should be able to set a timer for how long you want the device to stay on, in case you forget to turn it off. Besides, the product should be waterproof, or at least, water-resistant, especially if you plan on using it for your dog outdoors. It should also be chew-proof, especially the cord, so that your pooch does not chew through it.
Cleaning of a pet heat pad
Dogs can get very messy, and we are sure that you do not want to waste precious time trying to get stains off the pad. This is why it is good to get one that can easily be cleaned. Some of them are washable with machines.
10 best dog heating pads
If you are at a loss as to which product will be the best for your pet, then feel free to look through the ones below and their features. They are the best ones that we found on the market, both in terms of keeping a pet warm and in terms of durability and quality.
1. K & H pet products deluxe lectro, soft outdoor heated bed with bolster - best outdoor dog heating pad
While this is the best outdoor heat pad for dogs that we have found, it can also be used indoors. The device has a bolster and is thermostatically controlled for your pet’s safety. The item comes in various sizes, including small, medium, and large sizes.
- Material: vinyl
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 26.5 inches X 30.5 inches X 3.5 inches
2. RIOGOO pet heating pad, indoor warming mat with auto power-off – best indoor heated dog bed
The device turns off automatically and ensures your pet’s safety even if you forget to turn it off. Besides, you can set the temperature you want it to attain
- Material: PVC
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 10.63 inches X 10.64 inches X 2.56 inches
3. RIOGOO upgraded electric dog heating pad (indoor waterproof, auto power-off) – best electric heated dog bed
- Material: PVC
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 18 inches X 18 inches X 0.5 inches
4. Whitney pet heating pad - best water-resistant mat for pets
- Material: waterproof oxford
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 10.85 inches X 9.95 inches X 2.85 inches
5. NICREW pet heating pad for dogs and cats - best heating pad for kennels
- Material: PVC, steel, fleece
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 14.41 inches X 12.48 inches X 4.76 inches
6. Homello pet heating pad for cats, dogs, waterproof electric heating mat indoor - best heated pad overall
- Material: oxford, steel
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 14.41 inches X 12.48 inches X 4.76 inches
7. K & H pet products self-warming pet pad - best self-warming dog and cat pad
This device is the best self-warming dog pad. The materials used to make the dog mat can generate enough heat from your pet’s body to keep the animal warm when it is cold without the need to plug it into an electrical outlet.
- Material: polyester
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: no. The device is self-warming
- Item dimensions: 21 inches X 17 inches X 1 inch
8. K & H pet products lectro - soft outdoor heated pet bed
- Electric: yes
- Water-resistant: yes
- Item dimensions: 25 inches X 36 inches X 1.5 inches
9. XXL heating pad for large dog bed outdoor or home – best outdoor heating mat for large dogs
- Material: polyester
- Water-resistant: yes, although it is not waterproof
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 10 inches X 10 inches X 2.5 inches
10. MARUNDA pet heating pad – best heating pad with built-in thermostat
- Material: PVC
- Water-resistant: yes
- Electric: yes
- Item dimensions: 12.87 inches X 3.7 inches X 3.54 inches
Are heating pads safe for dogs?
Yes, specially designed dog heated beds, pads, and mats are generally safe, but you need to carefully read and follow the instructions of the product you have bought.
Heating pads for dogs with arthritis, back pain, and hip dysplasia
Many dogs suffer from arthritis when they get old. Some dogs also, especially large dog breeds, may suffer from a condition known as hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition, and heating pads can greatly reduce your pet’s suffering.
How hot to make a heated dog bed
Depending on how cold the weather is, you may need to increase or reduce the amount of heat that your dog’s heating pad generates. For those types that are self-warming, there is no need to bother about them as they use your pet’s body temperature to keep it warm. As for electric ones, however, you will need to regulate the temperature.
Heated pads usually come with in-built thermostats, and so they can regulate temperature automatically. Some others allow you to set the temperature that you want. All you need to do is monitor the device to make sure it does not get too hot. Your dog will usually get up from it if it is no longer comfortable with the heat.
Some of the pads listed above have additional features such as time settings that allow you to set the amount of time you want the device to be on, after which the device will turn off automatically. Also, they have inbuilt sensors that prevent the devices from overheating or burning your pet. Although the chances are that your dog will get up before that happens.
Conclusion
Even with the fur that covers their bodies, dogs can be prone to getting cold a lot, especially during winter on windy and rainy days. If a dog gets too cold, the animal risks getting hypothermia and so it is best to ensure that that never happens. Using a dog heated pad is one of the most common and effective ways of saving your pet from the cold and keeping the animal warm.
Before getting one of these devices, make sure that you have done your research and that the one that you are getting has additional safety features. Most of these devices are safe as they have thermostats that prevent overheating, but some go a step further by having chew-resistant cables, and other safety measures. The dog pads listed above all have features that make them safe enough for your pet to use while lasting for a long time and giving you good value for your money.