Best Cat Heating Pads

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Cat Heating Pads are very similar to heated cat beds, and they are a great way for your cat to keep warm whatever the weather.

They provide a convenient place for your cat to sleep and rest, and one of the main benefits of cat heating pads is that they are easily transportable so they can be used on the floor, in an outdoor cat house or a cat kennel. This is a good way to keep your cat comfortable during that dreaded trip to the vets!

There are a number of different cat heating pads on the market, and we have provided our favourite products in the table below:

Benefits of Cat Heating Pads

Cat Heating Pads have many benefits, as they not only provide a warm and comfortable place for your cat to rest they can help to boost the immune system and provide a feeling of security.

Older cats in particular will love to spend time on a heating pad, as the warmth they provide can help to reduce stiffness in joints especially during colder weather.

Heating pads will provide cats with a comforting place to rest, as unlike a standard cat bed, an armchair or the floor they are naturally warm. Some cats may see them as a substitute for a human lap.

Different types of Cat Heating Pads

There are essentially three different types of cat heating pad, so you can choose from electric pads that are heated by a mains cord or a pad that retains heat through the natural body warmth of the cat. Microwaveable pads are also available.

Self heating pads work by having a very clever thermal material inside the pad that reflects the body heat of the cat back to them. 

They have the advantage of costing less to run as you don’t need to plug them into the mains electricity, and this also means they are safe as there is no danger of your cat chewing through the cord. 

We all know that cats (and tortoiseshell cats in particular) love to investigate stray wires, so these self-heating pads completely remove that risk.

You can also use self heating pads on trips out in the car, or if your cat spends time in an outside area such as an outdoor cat house that doesn’t have any mains electricity.

An electric self heating pad will be connected to the mains, and these types of pads have a few advantages over the self heating pads.

As they are connected to the mains, the temperature of the pad can be controlled via a thermostat, and the best pads will have a few different settings. This means that the temperature can be at a consistent level for a period of time, and it can be set to vetinary requirements if necessary. This is particularly useful for elderly or unwell cats.

Electric heating pads will also provide more uniform heating across the whole pad. The best pads are usually equipped with chew resistant cords for safety.

Although electric heating pads will cost more to run than self heating pads, the cost is minimal and is roughly equivalent to leaving a light bulb on. This still makes an electric heating pad a more economical option than leaving the central heating on!

A third type of cat heating pad is a pad that is warmed by heating up in the microwave. 

These pads are usually much smaller than the thermal or electric pads that we have recommended in this review, although this does mean that they can be used in standard cat beds or even in outdoor areas such as rabbit hutches!

A good microwave heating pad will retain heat for around 10 hours, so this should be long enough to keep your cat warm through the night. They also have the benefit of providing heat with the requirement for any wires or mains electricity being kept on.

Other factors to consider

There are several other factors to consider when purchasing a cat heating pad. They are available in several different sizes, so you need to make sure the pad is large enough for your cat.

Comfort is also an important factor, and it is often worth paying a bit more for a pad that is soft and comfortable. You don’t want to have to add extra blankets to the pad as this would negate the heat coming out of it.

Some cat heating pads include material that makes a noise when the cat gets on to the pad or moves around when lying on it. Although this is likely to be a minor irritation, the best pads should now include technology that makes them completely noiseless.

It is essential that you can wash the pad. Anywhere that a cat sleeps will soon get covered in fur, so ideally the pad will include a removable cover that is easy to throw in the washing machine.

Finally, although cat heating pads are inexpensive, it is worth considering the cost and potentially paying slightly more for a better quality pad. A good quality pad that will provide comfort and last for quite some time shouldn’t cost much more than £20.

Best Cat Heating Pads

We’ve searched though many of the cat heating pads available today, and chosen four different pads to compare.

Have a look through our reviews to find the best cat heating pad for you and your cat.

Mora Pets Heated Cat Blanket

Our first choice is this excellent self heating pad from Mora Pets.

Using pressure activated technology, it uses the heat from the cat to keep your pet warm with 2 layers of self heating fibre and 1 layer of mylar reflective film.

It is a generous size at 70cm x 47cm, and has been developed with no crinkle noise which can scare timid animals.

This cat heating pad is comfortable to use with a plush top and fleece bottom, and also comes with a one year warranty from Mora Pets.

Kooltail Cat Self Heating Pad with Fleece

This fantastic self heating pad is one of our favourite products, as it is not only a self-heating cat pad, but it comes in a package including a super comfortable cat blanket as well!

The clever technology within the pad means that heat from the cat's body is captured and transferred into mat heat. The super soft material also means that your cat will get a very comfortable rest.

The pad also features anti-slip granulars on the bottom, and it is easy to clean in the washing machine.

A great option at a similar price point to the Mora Heated Pad.

Ancol Self Heating Pet Pad

The Ancol Self Heating Pad is a more economical option than the Mora Self Heating Pad, and is available in Medium or Large and also in packs of multiple pads.

It measures 64cm x 49cm, so this is a generous size and uses a thermal structure to reflect the heat of the cat back towards them.

It includes a super soft sheepskin cover that is easily removed for washing, however the underside includes a crinkly material that may make a noise when the cat gets onto it.

A smaller version of this pad is also available (48 x 38cm).

Snugglesafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad