Hot water bottle for cat?

[WalkingThePlank]

We have a new (first) cat arriving next week. The plan is for her to sleep in the utility room but I've noticed this evening that it is quite cold once the heating is off.

We have this type of bed for her: www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat-beds-21102--1/jumbo-cord-oval-cat-bed?pageSize=45#
The one we have is thick cord around the edge, and has a nice plush removable pad. As it is colder in there than I thought I was considering putting a hot water bottle under the pad. I have one that comes in a faux fur cover. Would this be very unsafe? I could get a heated pad but wouldn't have it in time for her first night.

I actually feel quite anxious on her behalf. I don't want her to feel scared/unhappy/cold on her first night. DH thinks I am anthropomorphising the cat.

So, would it be wrong to put a hot water bottle in a cover under the pad?

[Iheartautumn]

Cats don't really feel the cold like we do
Maybe have a cardboard box with a blanket in the room as I read somewhere that cats like cardboard boxes because they store heat?

[GoodboyBindleFeatherstone]

Have you got a cat sized cuddly toy you could give to her? GoodCat had one when he was a kitten, still has it in his bed 16yrs later.

[GoodboyBindleFeatherstone]

Sorry, meant to add...

No harm in giving her a HWB, but make sure she can move away from it if she gets too warm.

[306235388]

Is it a kitten? When we got our cat we ended up sitting with her for the first night as she was lonely and terrified.

With puppies we used a warm hot water bottle and a ticking clock inside a PJ case

[Siarie]

It's actually highly recommended to give a young cat a hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel). It gives them something to lie up next to and reminds them of their mother.

My cat when he was alone used to get a hot water bottle when I would be out the house in the evening. Now it's not needed as I have two cats and they snuggle together. The hot water bottle was always used when I checked after too.

[WalkingThePlank]

She's about 18 months old.

DH will not let her join us in bed. The last few nights I've gone to bed feeling sad that my new 'baby' will be all on her own downstairs (but then if she was a human baby I'd have her in bed with me).

My main concern with the hot water bottle was that she might puncture it (despite it being covered). I didn't consider that she might find it too warm. I feel better now knowing that she won't feel the cold.

I did see one of these heat pads which I could get in time. Do you think that's worthwhile or will our cat be perfectly happy heat-wise?
www.amazon.co.uk/SnuggleSafe-Microwave-Wireless-Heatpad-Fleece/dp/B0014LJKUA/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[SageSeymour]

They don't need a hot water bottle or anything like that. A chair is fine and a blanket on the chair if you're wanting to spoil her

They don't feel the cold like we do. Just leave her be

[mineofuselessinformation]

My old fella has a bed with a raised ring around it, an old towel and pieces of cut up underblanket on it.....
He prefers to sleep on the top of a wooden stool.
Honestly, it will be fine.

[thecatneuterer]

Cats are better at dealing with cold than people are, and are less likely to die of hypothermia. However they don't like it. Cats seek out warm places. In my house the radiator beds, beds next to radiators and beds with heat pads are in much more demand that other sleeping places.

I've got a couple of plug in heat pads (can't do the link for some reason), which I put in the beds under the pad, and the cats love them.

I would certainly offer a heat source if you're going to shut the cat away at night.

[thecatneuterer]

here's the link

[cozietoesie]

The Lodger was used to sleeping as a youngster under a hedge somewhere or similar but as soon as he came inside for his nights, and he was a young cat, he headed straight for a cosy spot, although he preferred to sleep by himself. They seem to like gentle warmth so I'd give her the option.

(Seniorboy sleeps in bed with me and always has so he doesn't count.)

[Fluffycloudland77]

Mine has his own hot water bottle under his bed in cold weather, he's in an unheated utility room too.

I drape a cheap fleece over the top of his bed so he's warm & his bed is a dog bed because they're deeper than cat beds, I think they find cat beds too flimsy.

She'll grow a thick winter coat to cope as well.

[WalkingThePlank]

The bed will be next to a radiator but the heating isn't on that often.

Think I might use the hot water bottle initially and see how we go.

[cozietoesie]

If you're worried about her overheating, give her a choice - cardboard box, say, with a hottie in covered by an old fleece and her normal bed. She can then make up her mind which she prefers.

[WitchWay]

One of mine sleeps outside in a kennel most nights, all year in all minus temperatures. Cats (usually) have fur. She has an igloo-type bed in there & is really cosy.