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10 Best Cat Heating Pads (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

K&H Pet Products Heated main

10 Best Cat Heating Pads (2024) – Reviews & Top Picks

K&H Pet Products Heated main Heating pads can provide much-needed warmth to kittens, senior cats, and sick cats and coziness to a perfectly healthy cat. They can be especially useful for warming up your kitty during the colder months without uncomfortably heating 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 compiled this list of reviews to make your job easier and help you get the right heating pad for your situation.

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A Quick Comparison of the Winners in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
K&H Pet Thermo-Kitty K&H Pet Thermo-Kitty
  • Machine-washable cover
  • Maintains comfortable temperature
  • Entices cats to use it
  • Best Value
    Second place
    FurHaven ThermaNAP Self-Warming Cat Mat FurHaven ThermaNAP Self-Warming Cat Mat
  • Doesn’t need to be plugged in
  • Great for travel
  • Soft and comfortable material
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    K&H Pet Amazin' Kitty Headed Pad K&H Pet Amazin' Kitty Headed Pad
  • Warms up easily
  • Machine washable
  • Attracts and contains cat hair
  • HDP Thermal Cat Mat HDP Thermal Cat Mat
  • Can be placed anywhere
  • Great for travel
  • Doesn’t need to be plugged in
  • Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat
  • Machine washable
  • Soft outer material
  • Doesn’t need to be plugged in
  • The 10 Best Cat Heating Pads

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

    K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Mat is the best overall cat heating pad, and it is many 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 feels, 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 is 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

    FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Cat Mat

    FurHaven ThermaNAP Faux Fur Self-Warming Cat Mat 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 that 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 wash it by hand. The self-warming feature also means you can put this pad anywhere, and it’s 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 quite 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

    K&H Pet Products Heated Amazin' Kitty Pad

    The K&H Pet Products Heated Amazin’ Kitty Pad 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. Most cats love this heating pad despite it seeming less comfortable than some others, and the warmth provided is perfect.

    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.

    Pros
    • Warms up easily
    • Attracts and contains cat hair
    • Machine washable
    • Doesn’t require supervision
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • For indoor use only
    • Small heating element

    4. HDP Thermal Cat Mat HDP thermal pad

    As a non-electric option, the HDP Thermal Cat Mat 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 keep them 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. Some cats welcome this pad, but others may be turned away by the noise or by the material used on the outside that isn’t as soft as some other brands.

    Pros
    • Can be placed anywhere
    • Great for travel
    • Machine washable
    • Doesn’t need to be plugged in
    Cons
    • Creates crinkly sound when in use
    • May deter cats from using it
    • Not as soft as other pads

    5. Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat Downtown Pet Supply Thermal

    Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat 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.

    Pros
    • Doesn’t need to be plugged in
    • Can be used for travel
    • Machine washable
    • Soft outer material
    Cons
    • For indoor use only
    • Creates crinkly noise when in use
    • May deter cats from using it

    6. Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad Snuggle Safe Pet Bed

    Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad 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 Snuggle Safe pad is relatively small, so you may find that your cat cannot comfortably use it for warmth, depending on how large they are.

    Pros
    • Provides ample heat for hours
    • Variable heating
    • Can get warmer than electric options
    Cons
    • Not a standalone pad
    • Can become too hot
    • Requires you to re-heat regularly
    • Too small for some cats

    7. Milliard Thermal Cat Mat Milliard Thermal Cat Mat

    Milliard Thermal Cat Mat 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.

    Pros
    • Double-sided with soft materials
    • Can be used anywhere
    • Great for travel
    • Machine washable
    Cons
    • Not as warm as electric pads
    • Creates crinkly noise when in use
    • May deter some cats from using it
    • May degrade over time

    8. NICREW Pet Heating Pad NICREW Pet Heating Pad

    The NICREW Pet Heating Pad is slimmer than most and includes a soft slipcover 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 Pet Fit For Life Snuggle Soft

    Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Microwave Heating Gel Pad is a 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 most cats are 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 bonus of providing cooling for your cat. 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 30-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.

    Pros
    • Soft and comfortable material
    • Can provide cooling and heating
    • Easy to wash
    Cons
    • Doesn’t hold heat well
    • Warming is time consuming
    • Materials can puncture

    10. Focuspet Cat Thermal Mat Focuspet Cat Thermal Mat

    Focuspet Cat Thermal Mat is a 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 can be damaged during the first wash cycle, even when following the washing instructions. We expect the pad will degrade quickly with continued use.

    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
    • Noisy thermal layer may dissuade cats from using it

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    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Cat Heating Pad

    When choosing a heating pad for your cat, you have a lot of things to look out for. You can examine this 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 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.

    Is there anything better than a happy cat? We don’t think so—that’s where the Hepper Nest Bed comes in.

    Hepper Cat Nest - Washable Cat Bed with Removable...
    229 Reviews
    Hepper Cat Nest - Washable Cat Bed with Removable...
    • HAPPY COZY CATS - Your kitty will bask in luxurious sherpa-lined comfort while feeling warm, safe,...
    • MODERN DESIGN - Contemporary styling with upholstered fabric construction; just like your human...
    • WARM FLEECE LINER - Self warming, thick sherpa fleece with microfiber trim.

    This product was designed with both your and your kitty's happiness in mind. While the comfortable bowl shape and wide lip to rest their heads on are ideal for sleepy kitties, you’ll appreciate the removable and machine-washable fleece liner for easy cleaning. It doesn’t get any better than this! Click here to try it out.

    At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

    cat paw dividerConclusion

    There are many heating pads to choose from, and getting the right one for your cat the first time around can be challenging. For its 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 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!

    See also:

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