Heating pads can provide much-needed warmth to kittens, senior cats, and sick cats, and they also add coziness to a perfectly healthy cat. They can be especially useful for warming up your kitty during colder months without uncomfortably warming your home.
Several types of heating pads are available, all with different features and drawbacks, so choosing one that will be a good fit for you and your cat can be challenging. We’ve compiled this list of reviews to make your job a little easier and help you get the right heating pad for your situation.
This is the best overall cat heating pad, and it’s our cats’ favorite too! It has a soft outer shell that entices cats to use it. If you’ve tried to get your cat to lay on a heating pad or use any other product, you know it isn’t always easy. This pad is welcoming but may still require an introductory period. The cover nicely protects the heating element, and it can easily be removed for cleaning. The cover is also machine washable, and maintenance is a breeze.
The heating element is significantly smaller than the pad, which may lead to uneven heating, but based on how the pad felt, it seems to provide a uniform temperature. It has two thermostats and remains on constantly when plugged in, but the pad never gets too hot. However, it should only be used indoors where it’s safe from the elements.
Pros
Soft and comfortable material
Entices cats to use it
Machine washable cover
Maintains comfortable temperature
Cons
Small heating element
Only for indoor use
2. FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Cat Mat – Best Value
This is a self-heating mat that doesn’t plug in or require batteries. Instead, the material radiates your cat’s natural body heat back to them. Because it doesn’t require an expensive heating element, we believe this is the best cat heating pad for the money. It’s made of a soft material, and you’ll find that your cat will quickly welcome it as their new place to relax. This pad is fully machine washable, so you won’t need to go crazy washing it by hand. The self-warming feature also means you can put this pad anywhere, and it’s also great for travel.
Of course, the pad will not provide the same warmth as electric pads, so the FurHaven didn’t make our number one spot. It is still an excellent product that is bound to get a lot of use, and it’s very affordable.
Pros
Soft and comfortable material
Machine washable
Can be used anywhere
Doesn’t need to be plugged in
Great for travel
Cons
Not as warm as electric pads
3. K&H Pet Products Heated Amazin’ Kitty Pad – Premium Choice
The K&H Pet Products Heated Amazin’ Kitty pad is another one that plugs in and uses electricity to warm your cat. The material is not as soft as our number one and two options, and the more expensive price tag keeps it out of those spots. The material attracts cat hair which could be a good or bad thing depending on whether you’d rather clean your floor or the pad.
The cover is easily detachable and machine washable, so keeping it clean shouldn’t give you much of a problem. Our cats loved this heating pad despite it seeming less comfortable than others, and the warmth provided is perfect for cats.
The heating element is smaller than the pad, but the heat disperses well. The Amazin Kitty pad is only intended for indoor use, and you’ll have to situate it near an outlet. The pads can be left on without checking the temperature constantly, so you and your cats can stay relaxed.
As another non-electric option, this heating pad can be used indoors or outdoors, and its self-warming capabilities also make it great for travel. The sleeping surface is relatively soft, and the material inside radiates your cat’s body heat back to them to help them keep warm. The pad is machine washable, so keeping it clean won’t require much effort.
The material that provides the radiant properties is very crinkly, and the sound may not only bother you but also deter your cat from using it. Our cat welcomed using this pad, but some others may be turned away by the noise or by the material used on the outside that isn’t as soft as other brands.
This is a thermal warming pad that absorbs and transfers your cat’s natural body heat back to them. While this means you can freely move this pad anywhere, it won’t get as warm as most electric heating pads. The outer material is thick and soft, but the reflective layer makes a crinkly noise that may deter some cats from using it. The pad is machine-washable, and your cleaning process will be quick and painless.
Although this pad doesn’t get plugged in, it’s not intended for outdoor use and will get damaged if exposed to the elements. For this reason, it can be suitable for travel, but you’ll need to be careful not to let it get wet when moving or packing it.
This is a microwavable heating pad that can be added to your cat’s regular bed. Since it’s heated from your microwave, it has the potential to get too hot, so you’ll need to be very careful. The heat holds exceptionally well and will help warm up your cat for several hours.
You will need to place this pad back in the microwave once it cools off, but it doesn’t take long to heat. The Snugglesafe pad is relatively small, so you may find that your cat cannot comfortably use it for warmth, depending on how large your cat is.
This is a double-sided thermal warming pad with a thermal layer inside to transfer your cat’s body heat back to them for added warmth. The two sides offer different soft materials, so even a choosy cat can find comfort on this pad. Since it isn’t powered by electricity, it’s easily mobile and can be great for travel, but it won’t be as warm as other powered heating pads.
The thermal layer in this pad is particularly noisy, and some cats may be turned away by the sound or the feel of the pad underneath them. The material is soft, but it doesn’t feel like it will hold up as well as other options over time. Cleaning the pad is simple since it’s machine-washable.
This heating pad is slimmer than most and includes a soft slip cover to cover the heating element. The cover is machine-washable, so your cleaning process will be a breeze. The cord for this pad is wrapped in metal, so you won’t have to worry about your cat or another pet chewing through the cable. The pad works well, but sometimes it works too well!
We found that this pad reached temperatures that are too high for cats, and since there’s no timer or on/off switch, there isn’t any way to control the temperature. To avoid the pad from overheating and possibly causing damage to the surrounding area, you need to plug and unplug the pad regularly to modulate the temperature. Given the time and effort involved, we wouldn’t recommend this for routine use. It would likely work best in colder months when overheating would be less of an issue.
Pros
Soft material
Cord protected from chewing
Produces ample heat
Good for colder months
Machine washable
Cons
No temperature control
Can easily become overheated
Requires constant supervision
9. Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Microwave Heating Gel Pad
This is another microwavable warming pad, but it uses a gel interior to hold heat. It comes with a soft, machine-washable cover held on with Velcro, and the cover must be comfortable because our cats were happy to use it. However, while the material is soft, it also doesn’t feel exceptionally durable, and it will wear out quickly with continued use.
This pad has the added bonus of providing cooling for your cat as well. However, the gel interior doesn’t hold heat very well, and you can only expect about an hour or so of warmth at a time from this pad. Additionally, to heat it, you must microwave it in thirty-second increments and massage the gel between microwaving segments to distribute the heat. The material that holds the gel also feels like it could easily be punctured by your cat’s claws which could be dangerous and create a giant mess for you.
This is another thermal warming pad, which transfers your cat’s body heat back to your cat instead of providing heat itself. It is intended for indoor use, but it could be used for traveling, given how portable it is. The exterior is soft and comfortable, and the liner is removable, so you can easily wash it. Unfortunately, the materials are not durable and were damaged during the first wash cycle, even when we followed the washing instructions. We expect the pad will degrade quickly with continued use as well.
There are no wires to worry about, but it produces less heat than electric pads. Additionally, the thermal layer is very crinkly, which may mean your cat turns away from the pad altogether.
Pros
Could be used for travel
Soft and comfortable materials
Easily washable
Cons
Materials are not durable
Doesn’t stand up well to washing
Provides less heat than electric pads
Very noisy thermal layer
May dissuade cats from using it
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Cat Heating Pads
When choosing a heating pad for your cat, you have a lot of things to look out for. You can examine our buyer’s guide to help you decide which brand is best for warming up your feline friend.
Cat Heating Pad Warmth
First and foremost is how well a heating pad will actually warm your cat. Electric pads are generally the best and offer a nice balance between the temperature they reach and the amount of input required from you. Microwavable pads must be warmed up periodically, and thermal pads don’t require your supervision but don’t provide as much heat.
Cat Heating Pad Comfort
You’ll also want to consider your cat’s comfort and likelihood of using the mat you choose. The soft material usually entices your kitty to lounge on the heating pad. You should also be aware that some materials, especially the thermal layer in self-warming pads, can be noisy when touched and dissuade your cat from using them. If you go with a non-powered option, make sure it’s one your kitty will use!
Cat Heating Pad Safety
In addition to your cat’s comfort, you must ensure their safety. Some heating pads can become overheated, and others can be punctured or damaged, which could cause the leaking of the heating material. Choosing a heating pad that is safe to use and can stand up to your cat’s claws is essential for worry-free use.
Cat Heating Pad Cleaning
You’re probably well-acquainted with how much cats shed, and many heating pads attract cat hair like nothing else. A machine-washable pad or slipcover over a heating element will make your job easier when it comes to cleaning.
Knowing what to look for in a heating pad will prevent frustration and wasted time, and the right mat will make you and your cat happy. Hopefully, these reviews have helped you pick the right heating pad to keep your feline friend warm, cozy, and safe!
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
