Heat pad use

[Sminty2]

My lovely old boy is getting quite stiff legs, and not jumping quite as boldly as when younger, so I bought him a heat pad (vet recommended I try it) and he loves it. There are no medical issues, just age, wear & tear.

How long do your cats use it for? Is there a limit on using them or just let them decide? Thanks.

Cat tax attached.

I have one just by the back door for the semi ferals, on two chairs with blankets covering it. It goes on in October and off again when the warmer nights hit in spring. They get off it when they get too hot, and if they are under the weather they snuggle on it, and if they get wet they use it to dry off again. Mine is an old plant heat mat that we initially used when 3 orphaned kittens decided to set up home on our terrace.

I'd probably do the same if they were indoor cats, as long as the mat isn't in a place that is already too hot and obviously I'd make sure there was enough water available as I find they do drink alot more when it is on. I can see our indoor lad having one in due course as he starts to get less mobile.

@Shedmistress Thanks, I’ll leave him to find his own rhythm. He’s got a water fountain and cats do seem to know what they want.

We invested in a heat pad too (wrapped in her blanket) and she hasn't left it since. I'm debating how long she should be on it too but it's on a very low setting so hopefully it's similar to a sunny windowsill. Has your vet discussed Solensia at all?

He looks stunning!

Our old lady (19) has had one for a few years. It’s wrapped inside a fluffy blanket and sits on a chair in the living room. She sleeps on it all day and on me all night. I have it set at 50 degrees and it goes on at 6am and off at about 11pm, it costs pennies to run.

My 6 year old boy loves his as cats prefer being warmer than we do. He too gets off when he is too hot and it helps him when I am out and heating off. Mine was a stray who slept in a greenhouse, so he adores being snug and warm now. In the cold only pops out for toileting as hates litter tray. Pad will only go off in spring. Worth every penny

My cats found theirs a bit to hot, so they’d get off when they had enough.