True or False: Heating pads are a safe way to keep your pet cozy and warm this winter.
Answer: False 

Heating pads are not as innocent as they seem. What starts out as a cozy, warm pad can heat up over time to cause burns, especially on sleeping pets who don’t wake up fast enough as the pad gets too hot. This is most likely to happen in elderly, arthritic or sick pets, who sleep deeply or have a hard time rising. 

 

Add in the chance of your pet chewing the cord, and the overall risk is just not worth it. A cozy nest of bedding and blankets in a sunny spot is a much safer way to keep your pet snug. 

If you feel that a heating pad is absolutely necessary to make your pet comfortable this winter, make sure to follow these essential safety rules:

• Use only the lowest heat setting.
• Cover the heating pad with several blankets so that your pet isn’t in direct contact with its hot surface.
• Never lock your pet in a carrier or crate with a heating pad, where they can’t get away if it gets too hot.
• Always supervise your pet with the heating pad.

Keep your dog cozy this winter with these tips on when and how to choose a dog jacket.  >>