Keeping pets warm

cazmanian_minx

I have an ancient (19) and slightly arthritic moggy who suffers in winter if she's not kept warm. For the last couple of years this has meant an astronomical heating bill every winter, as I've been leaving the heating on very low 24/7 as soon as she started looking a bit stiff.

I was reading through a pile of old magazines I got from freecycle and came across a tip for keeping pets warm without leaving the heating on - hot water bottles! I now fill a hot water bottle half an hour after the heating goes off in the morning, wrap it in a cheap fleece throw from Ikea and rest it against the back of the armchair she usually sleeps in. She won't lie on top of it (don't think she likes the water-bed feeling!) but snuggles her back right up to it. I change the water around lunch-time and that sees her through until the heating comes on again in the early evening.

Caz

bulchy

This is a good idea, I know some people use hot water bottles for pups, but never thought about it for cats :rolleyes: they will always find themselves the warmest spot in the house, a hottie bottie will be a bonus for them. BTW, the pet blankets you get in the poundshop are nice too, lovely and soft, and easy washed and dried, not massive, but suitable for a cat or small to medium dog.
Sue

catznine

:T great idea and good to be reminded that our elderly pets suffer from aches and pains too. I sometimes use a towelling sock (clean) and part fill it with uncooked rice, tie up the top and pop into the microwave to heat up, then pop this onto the seat that our furbaby loves to curl up in.

twink

i had an old cat who commandeered the heating pad my oh used for germinating his plants, she loved it, i think there is something similar to buy, ours was electric and was on all the time, didnt use much and never had a problem with it

Alfietinker

Now there's an idea, thank you! Our cats are not elderly but we haven't been having the heating on, lighting the fire in the front room instead. As they are banned from that room I have felt a little guilty in case they are feeling the cold......

Anastacia

My cats sneak into the air cupbaord whenever they can - brings a whole new meaning to warm, fluffy towels.

Just talking about older cats though, one of my cats was hit by a car & badly hurt although no bones were actually broken. The vet says they can do nothing & he was basically just sitting around dying. I bought him a bioflow collar from ebay because my sister had some success with this with her dog & he is a new cat. He is still walking strangely as if he is stiff but he is up & down stairs, out of the window etc & purring & cuddles all the time. You would not beleive the change, even in the first 24 hours. I thought it was so amazing that i bought myself a bracet from the same people. I cant speak highly enough of it. The cats collar cost £20 which was a lot but not compared with the £119 vets bill the previous week. This isnt to do with keeping them warm i know bt it is a general well being thing.

HopeElizzy

What fantastic ideas for keeping your cat warm....... I work in a vets and we have special round gel pads which we heat in the microwave for poorly pets that need some warmth. Obviously your way is a great money saving alternative because I'm sure these pads must cost a fortune.:D

scuzz

My doggie and I cuddle up under a fleecey blanket together on cold afternoons and evenings. He looks so sweet. After he comes in from the garden, we cover him with a huge warm towel to warm him up before mega fussing session to dry him off

1sttimer_2

When my doggie was ill, I made a bed out of an old duvet and he snuggled up in that and he seemed to be nice and warm. He wasn't allowed up on the furniture and didn't dare use a hwb as he tended to scratch a den for himself before settling. It may be different for cats tho. It's a good idea and one I'll pass onto my friend who has an old cat.

Thanks

twink

the pets at home store does a heating pad for dogs beds for £18.99 that you microwave and the heat lasts up to 12 hours, that might be suitable for your cats bed

[Deleted User]

My cat prefers the Sky+ box!