Warmest safe cat bed?

My cat sleeps on a night in our utility room, she cant wonder the house as she gets obsessive with getting in our bedroom and will tear up carpets, scratch off all the paint and meow all night!!! She has a bed with a pillow but I fear it is getting a bit cold in there and it's not very fair. I am getting her a bed on a scratching post so she can be off the ground but what do you suggest best way to keep her ultra warm?
Have seen heat pads but won't use electric as she likes to chew cables when left unattended and I worry about the safety of hot water bottles and microwave gel filled pads as she likes to claw at her bed for a few hours before settling (I exaggerate :) )
Suggestions greatly appreciated.

try putting a coat on her or knit a nice wool one yourself . Cats love to sleep in cardboard boxes so raise it
off the ground and put lots of nice soft bedding for her to snuggle into

Now that it's colder at night, I heat up SNUGGLESAFE microwaveable heat pads for each of the cat beds (I have four cats).

Product description: These are designed to give steady warmth for up to 10 hours when placed in cover or under the pet's blanket. This handy microwavable pad turns nap time into snuggle time. Quick, safe, bite-proof and scratch-proof. This quite special heating pad and the free soft fleece cover keeps pets warm at home and cozy when on the go: at shows, at the vet and during travel in boxes. It is recommended to always have a barrier, such as the free cozy cover, or a blanket between the animal and the SnuggleSafe heatpad. The SnuggleSafe heatpad is especially recommended for anxious pets, having therapeutic effects on stress.

Main product features at a glance:

*Is heated quickly and easily in the microwave.
*Stays warm for up to 10 hours.
*No water-filling necessary.
*Absolutely safe and non-toxic: no wires & bite-resistant.
*Includes fleece cover.
*Especially well-suited for newborns, older, ill, or nursing pets.
*Recommended by vets.

Instructions:
Just warm the SnuggleSafe Heat Pad in the microwave. After just a few minutes the pad will stay warm for up to 10 hours. Suitable for standard household microwaves with power capabilities of 600 - 1400 watts. The heating times vary according to the performance of the microwave.

The heating pad is made of non-toxic material, and can simply be placed into your pet's bed or carrier, or it can be used in combination with the plush cover that can be purchased separately below. Your pet is sure to love it!

Contents:

*1x SnuggleSafe Heat Pad, diameter approx. 20cm
*1x matching fleece cover (colour and pattern may differ from the picture).
Still not cozy enough? To go with your SnuggleSafe Heat Pad you can choose between a Bonzo pillow (in dog shape) or Bruno pillow (in cat shape). (Must be ordered separately!) After 3 years the heat-storing power of the SnuggleSafe will start to deteriorate and should be replaced. "

I am a convert - I already have 8 of these!

Hope this helps!

You do know cats can live outside?

;)

Hmmm so could you, but would you want to?

It was a tongue in cheek comment really...

Erm ... As was mine!

Best price: http://www.hereforaday.com/scruffs-pet-day.html (+ £4 p&p - flat rate)

Best description (and next best price): http://www.monsterpetsupplies.co.uk/p-20991-scruffs-thermal-box-dog-bed.aspx

"Scruffs Self Heating beds have an advanced construction designed to efficiently reflect your pet's heat, keeping them warm and comfortable all year round. Self heating ped beds are great for pets who suffer from arthritis, young and ill pets or just those that enjoy the extra warmth!
Each bed contains a foam layer, backed with reflective foil. This layer is sandwiched between quilted polyester fibres and the beds main fill. The quilted polyester lies beneath a super soft fleece cover which is great for trapping warm air around your pet, providing added insulation."
Put it inside a cardboard box (box placed on its side) to avoid draughts.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall_4?rh=k%3Asmall+scruffs+thermal+box+bed%2Ci%3Apets&keywords=small+scruffs+thermal+box+bed&ie=UTF8&qid=1354811502

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_gnr_aps?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ascruffs+thermal+box+bed&keywords=scruffs+thermal+box+bed&ie=UTF8&qid=1354811427

Thanks for the advise. There are a lot of cats here that live outside and my mum has 2 ferals which turned up on the doorstep one day she feeds and they live in the out houses but mine is a bit wimpish and was complaining maybe if I had 2 that would sleep together. She was doing well with a baby duvet and a fleece but it got even colder in there. Anyone else tried the microwave pads? I heard they can leak??

Re: Best price - I checked my link and got hereforaday landing page - it went through to the Scruff's page once I'd entered my email address. (If it is your first visit you might need to register.)
Just for info: their price is £9.99 for small and £13.99 for medium.
(I think you can get the p&p back if you recommend a friend.)

I did use the SnuggleSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad with Fleece Cover (with a tartan cover) but it didn't stay hot for as long as they say.
It was so hard I had to arrange padding around it and then a layer on top - not so warm and comforting.
(The Rosewood Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer, 9-inch/23 cm might be better: "Veterinarian Recommended... I get Soft & Squishy when warm!")
I didn't have any leaks - perhaps the 1* reviewers received ones that had been dropped or inferior copies. Still, that is very off-putting.

Of course cats and dogs love the expensive Flectabed: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=flectabed&rh=n%3A340840031%2Ck%3Aflectabed
The Ancol - Self Heating Pet Pad http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=+Ancol+-+Self+Heating+Pet+Pad+ mostly has very good reviews - especially for cats.
There is also Neat Ideas Snuggle Rug Self-heating Pet Pad: Neat Ideas Snuggle Rug Self-heating Pet Pad (small)
"Hi tech reflective insert reflects body heat back to your pet and insulates them from cold surfaces"

Since with most of these pads "the inner thermal is actual [sic] a foil sheet with a backing.." perhaps you could just fold up a foil sheet inside a pillowcase.
Foil Survival Emergency Blanket - Pack of 5 - Silver Coloured (you can get single packs)

The USA Amazon reviewers like the Rosewood Thermo-Kitty Cottage http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=pe_244871_32647991_pe_related8txt/?rh=i%3Apets%2Cn%3A340840031&sort=relevancerank&hidden-keywords=B003YIIJGM|B003ZYF1X4%20|B0041D8PCW%20|B003ZYF1QQ%20|B0041D8PB8%20|B004ZJOF6W%20|B004ZJODKU|B00403MXAI|B0009YWLCM|B001AZSR68&ie=UTF8

I had a couple of cats that even though they were jealous of each other, would still snuggle up when it was cold.
If it got a bit nippy my other cats would all pile on the dog - bless him!
If you can offer a home to another nice cat that gets on with yours - I think that would be great.
Incompatible cats... not recommended!

Hi,

I wrote a post the other day and some how lost it so I'll will have to post each paragraph.

I did get 3 snuggle safes but didn't like them at all as they didn't stay warm fir long and are very hard so would uncomfortable forage cats. If you pie on cushions to increase softness then you won't feel the heat.

I did get 2 of the blue cat beds with a electric heat pad incorporated into the base. They are really effective but the softness is adequate, in that there is just the bed cover material on top of a slightly padded electric heat pad. The cord is surrounded with a bite resistant covering, which is great if your cat is a biter.

This is the link for the blue electric heat pad bed - Petnap Blue Oval Electric Heated cat dog puppy kitten bed

I also purchased several pet fleece blankets which are really nice and warming once you have left your hand in it for a couple of minutes. I use these on sofas and some cat beds depending on if they are placed near a cold location. One of my cats currently loves to sleep on the window sill behind our bed, which is quite cold due the temperature outside and the draught from it, despite it being doubled glazed. I have therefore used Velcro underneath the window sill slim cat bed, so it stays in place when Tom Tom jumps up into it. Added the plush fleece cover (which covers a different foam cat bed) to make it plumper. Then added a folded up thin fleece blanket for warmth, plumpness and added softness. In addition, I have folded up a fleece blanket length ways to line and cover the bottom of the window, using old worn out catnip pouches to hold it up. Finally, I placed the inner circular cat bed cushions (from other cat beds) at each end of the window sill so that Tom Tom can lay his head on it (on one end with one cushion flat) or rest up against it diagonally (using two cushions upright with one slightly diagonal). I forgot to mention that I also use a folded up fleece blanket to cover the top of his body, which is tucked in the side of him that is against the window an pd loose the side which is facing the bedroom.

Therefore, I have used several different ways of keeping the cold away.

By the way, in the past I have learnt to purchase cheap fleece bed throws which are a lot larger than standard cat fleece blankets and have found blankets with a nice design. Alternatively, I have recently purchased baby fleece blankets which are also larger in size and cheaper.

Here is the link for the baby fleece blanket in aqua blue 75cm x 100cm for £3.49 delivered
Pram Fleece Aqua Blue

I also use a portable radiator in our spare unused room where our cat Tom Tom also likes to sleep. It is thermostatic so I make sure the room is at least 12 C and use the usual fleece blankets on the bed and to cover him if he has just come in from the cold rain/snow (after drying him with a micro fibre cloth). If your utility room is a small it may be worth considering putting in a portable radiator. The cheapest I found in amazon is £24.39 delivered
SupaWarm Thermostatic Controlled Mini Oil Filled Radiator Heater - 900 Watt

There is the alternative of a thermostatic fan heater for £7.75 delivered:
Fan Heater 2kw Upright

A wall mountable thermostatic convector heater 500W for £15.50 delivered:
Compact Convector Heater Frost Watcher 500W, Ideal For small Rooms

Not to mention a halogen heater 1200W for £14.99 delivered:
Portable Electric Halogen Heater - 1200 Watt

However, I think the halogen heater would need to be placed somewhere the cats can't get at it or have a fire surround put around it.

If you set the thermostat on one of the above heaters together with a automatic timer, then the cost of keeping the room heated should be minimal.

Automatic timer switch for £3.22 delivered link:
Timer Switch

One of the heaters allows you to mount it on the wall, which means cables should not be an issue.

For the rest of the heater options the cable chewing issue could be resolved by the following:

Here is a link for a cable fastener for £4.37:
Mixed Wrap Cable Fastener for UK 3PIN Chargers

Another for £2.95:
Bobino Large Red Cord Wrap

Though there is a tiny amount of cable left exposed, which I think you could cover with a heavy box on top so that the box doesn't move and the tiny amount of cable left is inaccessible.

There is also a rubber cable cover protector. Here is the link for 1 meter for £12.80 delivered:
Cable-Tex Rubber Cable Floor Cover Protector Trunking Grey 67x12 1m

I have also found this memory foam off cut that can be used as a cat/dog bed. It has a depth of 7cm so gives some height away from the floor and is 90cm long with a width of 60cm meaning your cat would be lost lying is the middle of it and giving her/him plenty of space to stretch out....all for £15.00 delivered:
Memory foam offcut. Dog beds, cushion, mattress etc. 3 inch thickness

Another idea would be to install a pet gate (like a baby gate but with less space between the bars so a cat can't slip through) at the bottom or top of your stairs or any where else you deem fit, so that your cat cannot reach your bedroom but has access to the rest of your house which is hopefully warmer than the utility room. You could also leave her/him with a cat treat ball to keep her occupied at night, allowing you to fill it with treats or dry cat food.

Pet gate link £34.49:
Bettacare Pet Gate with Cat Flap Effective Barrier for Pets with Extensions Available, 75 - 84 cm/ 104 cm

Tall Pressure Pet Gate £29.03
Protect Tall Pressure Fit Pet Home Safety Gate

Don't forget to leave a scratch post out by your sofa so that your cat doesn't scratch your furniture of sofa.

Are you sure the cats are feral? The best way to check is to put your telephone number and a message like "Do you own this cat? If so, please urgently call xxxxx" length ways on a A4 piece of paper and then cut it out into a strip and cello tape it around the cat's neck. If no one gets in touch in a week then you will know for certain that it is feral.

Then you should call either Cats Protection or the RSPCA immediately once you had ascertained it is a stray. As if they are not sterilised it will only increase the feral cat problem exponentially! The RSPCA already put down to die more than 11,000 cats and dogs per year.....that was a couple of years ago so I would think it is ow 12,000+. Which equates to 250+ per week or 35+ cats/dogs dying everyday because people do not sterilise their pets/no longer want them/cannot 'apparently' afford them/mistreat them!!! It is a sickening statistic!!!

I have had experience with Cats Protection and you will hopefully be put on a waiting list...that is if they are not full (but they will advise you about what you can do if they are full) until space is available and ask you to kindly put food and water out for the strays as well as shelter. When space is available they may come around when it is feeding time and come round with a cat trap cage. The food would be put in at one end of the cage and then hopefully when the cat goes in to eat the food the door to the cage will automatically shut. If there is no set feeding time then they may leave you with a cat trap cage and ask you to put the food into the cage and call Cat Protection when the cat has been trapped to collect it.

I hope the above helps and if you have any questions or queries or would like more information, please add it to this post.

Kind regards,
B