10 Best Cat Heating Pads in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Heating pads can be used to provide much-needed warmth to kittens, senior cats, and sick cats, and they also add some coziness for a perfectly healthy cat. They can be especially useful for warming up your kitty during colder months without making your home uncomfortably warm.

There are a lot of different types of heating pads 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 put together this list of reviews to make your job a little easier and to help you get the right heating pad for your situation.

A Quick Comparison of the Winners in 2023

The 10 Best Cat Heating Pads

1. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Mat – Best Overall

This is the best cat heating pad, and it’s our cats’ favorite too! This pad 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 really to use any other product — you’ll 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 machine washable as well, so maintenance will be a breeze for you.

The heating element is significantly smaller than the pad itself which may lead to uneven heating, but based on how the pad felt, it seems to provide a uniform temperature. This pad has two thermostats and remains on constantly when plugged in, but the pad never gets too hot. This temperature control will make the most comfortable place for your kitty to warm up, but it should only be used indoors where it’s safe from the elements.

2. FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Cat Mat – Best Value

This is a self-heating mat that doesn’t plug in or take batteries. Instead, the material is made to radiate 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 this as their new place to relax. This pad is fully machine washable, so you won’t need to go crazy washing this by hand. The self-warming feature also means you can put this pad anywhere, and it’s great for travel as well.

Of course, this pad will not provide the same kind of warmth that electric pads will, so this one didn’t make our number one spot. This is still an excellent product that is bound to get a lot of use, and it’s extremely affordable.

3. K&H Pet Products Heated Amazin’ Kitty Pad – Premium Choice

This pad is another one that plugs in and uses electricity to warm your cat. The material is less soft than our number one and two options, and the more expensive price tag keeps this 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 it shouldn’t give you much of a problem keeping it clean. 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 itself, but the heat does seem to disperse well. This is only intended for indoor use, and you’ll have to situate it near an outlet. These pads can be left on without you having to check the temperature constantly, so both you and your cats can stay relaxed.

4. HDP Thermal Cat Mat

Another non-electric option, this heating pad can be used anywhere indoors or outdoors, and its self-warming capabilities make it great for travel as well. The sleeping surface is relatively soft, and the material inside will serve to radiate your cat’s body heat back to them to help them keep warm. This pad is machine washable, so keeping it clean won’t require much effort from you at all.

The material that provides the radiant properties is very crinkly, and the sound may not only bother you but also may 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 that of some other options.

5. Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat

This is a thermal warming pad that doesn’t get plugged in, but instead absorbs and transfers your cat’s natural body heat back to them. While this means you can freely move this pad anywhere, it also means 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. This pad is machine washable, so 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 good for travel, but you’ll need to be careful not to let it get wet when moving or packing it.

6. Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad

This is a microwavable heating pad that can be added to your cat’s normal bed, so an additional product will be needed for use. The fact that this pad gets its heat from your microwave means it has the potential to get too hot, so you’ll need to be very careful so as to not hurt your kitty. The heat holds extremely well and will help warm up your cat for several hours at a time.

You will need to place this pad back in the microwave once it cools off, so it requires more input from you than other pads. The pad is rather small, so you may find that your cat cannot comfortably use it for warmth depending on how large your cat is.

7. Milliard Thermal Cat Mat

This is a double-sided thermal warming pad that has 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 some comfort on this pad. Since this pad 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 crinkly, so 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 some other options over time. This pad is machine washable, so cleaning will be simple and easy for you.

8. NICREW Pet Heating Pad

This heating pad is slimmer than most and includes a soft slipcover to go over the heating element. The cover is machine washable, so your cleaning process will be a breeze. The cord for this pad is wrapped in a metal material, 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 would have been 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 would need to plug and unplug this pad regularly to modulate the temperature. Given the time and effort involved in doing this, we wouldn’t recommend this for routine use. It would likely work best in colder months when overheating would be less of an issue.

9. Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Microwave Heating Gel Pad

This is another microwavable warming pad, but this one uses a gel interior to hold warmth. It comes with a soft, machine washable cover held on with Velcro, so cleaning will be easy for you. This cover must also be comfortable because our cats were happy to use it. However, while the material is soft, it also doesn’t feel exceptionally durable, so this feels like it would degrade fairly easily with continued use.

This pad has an added bonus of being able to provide cooling for your cat as well. However, the gel interior doesn’t hold warmth very well, so you should only expect about an hour or so of warmth at a time from this pad. Additionally, to heat this pad up you must microwave it in thirty-second increments and massage the gel in between microwaving segments to distribute the heat. The material that holds the gel in also feels like it could easily be punctured by your cat’s claws which could be dangerous and create a large mess for you.

10. Focuspet Cat Thermal Mat

This is another thermal warming pad, which means it transfers your cat’s body heat back to your cat instead of providing heat itself. This 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 washing instructions. We expect this pad will degrade quickly with continued use as well.

There are no wires to worry about, but this does mean that this pad will provide far less heat than electric pads. Additionally, the thermal layer is very crinkly, and this may mean your cat turns away from this pad altogether.

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. Have a quick read of our buyer’s guide to help you narrow in on which choice will be 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 best and offer a nice balance between the temperature they reach, and the amount of input required from you. Microwavable pads will need to be warmed up periodically, and thermal pads require no attention but don’t provide as much heat.

Cat Heating Pad Comfort

You’ll also want to consider your cat’s comfort as well as their likelihood to use the mat you choose. The soft material will usually entice your kitty to lounge on the heating pad and will add some coziness to their space. You should also be aware that some materials, especially the thermal layer in self-warming pads, can be crinkly and dissuade your cat from using it. If you do go with a non-powered option, make sure it’s one your kitty will actually use!

Cat Heating Pad Safety

In addition to your cat’s comfort, you’ll also want to ensure their safety. Some heating pads can become overheated, and others can be punctured or damaged, which could cause 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

Importantly, you’ll want to make sure that the heating pad you choose is easy to clean. You’re probably well-acquainted with how much cats shed, and many heating pads will attract cat hair like nothing else. A machine-washable pad or slipcover over a heating element will make your job infinitely easier when it comes time for cleaning.

Conclusion

There are many heating pads to choose from, and getting the right one for your cat the first time around can be challenging. For ease of use and durability, we recommend the K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Mat. If you’re looking to put less strain on your wallet but still want a great heating pad, we recommend the FurHaven ThermNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Cat Mat.

Knowing what to look for in different types and models of heating pads will help avoid frustration and wasted time, and the right mat will mean both you and your cat are happy. Hopefully, these reviews have helped you narrow in on the right heating pad to keep your feline friend warm, cozy, and safe!