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.

A Quick Comparison of the Winners in 2024

The 10 Best Cat Heating Pads

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

K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Mat is the best overall cat heating pad, and it’s 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’s safe from the elements.

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

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’s still an excellent product that is bound to get a lot of use, and it’s quite affordable.

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

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.

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4. K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Cat Bed

Our fourth pick is the K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Cat Bed. It comes with a waterproof PVC heating pad, inner orthopedic foam, and a fleece cover for the heating pad for a secure fit. It is made of a faux fleece material so your cat can stay cozy, no matter where they are.

This particular heating pad is for outdoor use, so it is safe to keep in a cat bed or house on your porch. Keep in mind that it is electrical, and you should always keep it away from moisture. The cover is machine washable, so it is easy to clean when things get dirty.

Ultimately, we loved the power of this heating pad, capable of withstanding a solid temperature without getting too overwhelming.

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5. Downtown Pet Supply Thermal Cat Mat

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.

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6. Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad

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.

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7. K&H Pet Products Igloo-Style Heated Pad and Cover

The K&H Pet Products Igloo-Style Heated Pad and Cover is the perfect way to keep your kitty cozy. It has a unique igloo shape designed for igloo-shaped dog houses, but the smaller size is perfect if you have an igloo house outside for your cat, or you can just put the straight slide flush with the wall.

It does plug in, and it has a fleece cover that can be removed in order to wash it, and the pad itself is made of ABS plastic. It is MET certified for safety. We think it will work well for most cats!

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8. 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.

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9. Pet Fit for Life Snuggle Microwave Heating Gel Pad

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.

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10. Frisco Adjustable Electrical Cat Heated Crate Mat

The Frisco Adjustable Electrical Cat Heated Crate Mat is a very cozy crate mat that can be kept plugged in. It has two temperature settings, customizable time options, and comfortable bolsters.

Your kitty can prop their head up on the headrest or cozy up inside for a snooze. This is a terrific way to get your kitty warm and offer them a cozy place to keep out of the cold. Because it is electrical, always practice supervision when your cat is using this mat.

We love the overall design because we think your cat will be quite cozy! It might be the most comfortable on the list, making your furry friend a new favorite nap spot. However, some users say that the heat function quit working after only a few weeks.

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.

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 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!

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