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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cats and central heating this winter

79 replies

Stripedbag101 · 27/08/2022 22:16

I have been working from home the last couple of years and this winter will be back in the office, so my cat will be home alone from about 7:30am until about 7pm for three to four days a week.

I am worried she will be bored, lonely and cold! With gas prices sky rocketing I am reluctant to boost the heating during the day so have bought a few self heating blankets for her to sleep in.

other just be in the same boat - anyone else planning ahead? And if so what are you doing?

OP posts:

CheshireCats · 27/08/2022 22:17

I bought mine a heated throw 😃

Toddlerteaplease · 27/08/2022 22:19

My girls had a heat mat I used to leave on for them. I think it was too hot but they used it a bit. But they both have think costs and cozy beds so are ok.

Original poster

Stripedbag101 · 27/08/2022 22:20

Oh - I have a heated throw for me but my little monster never seems to sleep on it for some reason - maybe too warm!!

I just remembered I have a hot water bottle type thing that I heated in the microwave from when she was a kitten. Might dog that out too

OP posts:

Tinkerbellflowers · 27/08/2022 22:20

She will probably spend a lot of time asleep. Has she got a cosy bed, like an enclosed cube bed she could snuggle up in. I am planning on using my cats as hot water bottles this winter!

Leafy3 · 27/08/2022 22:26

If she'll use a heated mat, you could stick it on a timer?

Just make sure you've got a working smoke alarm!

You can get heated pads like small Frisbees which you heat in the microwave and they maintain their heat for hours and cat can't pierce them. We used to use one overnight for our cat, stuck it in her igloo under a fluffy blanket.

If you think they'll be used, I'd make sure you've got a a fluffy doughnut and igloo bed, they'll retain heat well especially with a fluffy blanket.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 27/08/2022 22:30

I’ve bought cat igloos - they are toasty warm. Some of them like to sleep under the divers in the bed. We also have cat window perches in windows at the front and back of the house, so they wander from one to the other to get the sun.

Doveyouknow · 27/08/2022 22:33

I have never thought about turning the heating on for the cat! They have a fur coat, they will be fine for a day

eddiemairswife · 27/08/2022 22:34

Cats are covered in fur. They don't need heated mats; they find their own comfortable place. Once upon a time there was no central heating, windows iced up inside when it was frosty and cats managed to survive.

Singleandproud · 27/08/2022 22:36

I remember a very similar thread last year

If your cat has a fur coat and is in good healthy and not elderly they will be just fine with the cold.

They might get a bit moody with you leaving them though, keep some treats on hand for as you enter the house.

SpinningFloppa · 27/08/2022 22:37

Surely no one turns the heating on for a cat if they are out 😕

Floralnomad · 27/08/2022 22:38

My late mother had an oil filled radiator on permanently for her Ragdoll .

PeloAddict · 27/08/2022 22:39

Mine has a teepee, and I've put a self heating mat in it. I don't see him in winter except two little eyes poking out
You can actually feel the heat in there too

PeloAddict · 27/08/2022 22:41

Like this and I leave it half open so it traps more heat in. He basically lightly boils himself

silentpool · 27/08/2022 22:45

I didn't use heating this past winter and the cat was fine. I left blankets out on the couch for him. At night I put down a baby cot sized duvet and a blanket and he snuggles up in there overnight. He is a very puffy Persian so has a thick coat.

Original poster

Stripedbag101 · 27/08/2022 22:54

@eddiemairswife i don’t want her to ‘manage to survive’ thanks. It’s like the people who come on and say people used to live without central heating so why are we so worried about fuel costs😳. Really unhelpful

I am looking for some advice on keeping her comfortable.

I will get some more heated pads and self heating blankets.

some great advice here thanks.

OP posts:

Leafy3 · 27/08/2022 23:03

@Stripedbag101 something else, usually overlooked, is a genuine sheepskin rug.

Particularly once you've spent some time sitting on it so it smells like you.

Because the fleece is obviously real wool, it's brilliant for keeping pets warm - especially those finicky ones who refuse to use luxury beds. It's temperature regulating too so won't get too hot.

I used to have one for my old girl when she got arthritic to help keep her joints warm - she loved it.

whenwillthemadnessend · 27/08/2022 23:07

They are cats and they have a fur coat. They are perfectly adapted to living in all types of climate. The fur will grow thicker They can huddle under beds or under duvets etc.

Original poster

Stripedbag101 · 27/08/2022 23:08

Thanks you leafy😸. I will google one now!

OP posts:

saraclara · 27/08/2022 23:08

She's a cat. Good grief.

I love cats. I've had them all my life unit the lady year, since my last one died. But I have never left the heating on for them. They found their cosy spot on their beds or mine and were absolutely fine.

The whole pampered pet thing of recent years is getting out of hand. They're animals. They didn't even live in houses until recently. Even in the middle of winter my cats would be out and about via their cat flap.

Cats and dogs aren't people. They don't feel stuff like we do. They'll choose the best spot available to them, but that doesn't mean they're unhappy or uncomfortable elsewhere.

saraclara · 27/08/2022 23:09

Until the last year, even!

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 27/08/2022 23:12

I had one of these self heating mats for my previous cat. She loved it. See attachment.

I currently have 2 cats who have a teddy fleece blanket to lie on, one across the sofa and the other across the armchair. I

Music plays for them if they are at home alone during the day and I "drop in" on them via Alexa. I can also check my living room camera. I hide treats before going out, throw a few scrunched up balls of paper around. They spend time sitting in the window looking out as well. Lots of fuss when I'm home again

whenwillthemadnessend · 27/08/2022 23:12

Agree @saraclara

I have 3 cats and a dog and have been away in winter and the cats had a cat sitter but never left heating on for them

There were fine.

Georgeskitchen · 27/08/2022 23:14

A fleecy cat bed is fine. Cats always find the warmest spot away from draughts
They are not daft and if there's nobody around and nothing going on they just sleep

inappropriateraspberry · 27/08/2022 23:18

The cat will be fine. Ours go outside in the freezing cold and will happily spend all day outside if they're so inclined. Being in a dry, wind proof house is fine, they really don't need heating on!

Original poster

Stripedbag101 · 27/08/2022 23:21

saraclara · 27/08/2022 23:08

She's a cat. Good grief.

Cats and dogs aren't people. They don't feel stuff like we do. They'll choose the best spot available to them, but that doesn't mean they're unhappy or uncomfortable elsewhere.

I hope you enjoyed typing that😹.

I am just asking for some advice to make my pet a little bit more comfortable this winter.

I don’t really care if you think it’s silly. With all the neglected animals out there surely pampering your pet isn’t the worst thing you can do to an animal?? It hurts no one - certainly not the cat.

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