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(Last Updated On: )As the weather gets colder, you will be breaking out the warm clothing and cozy blankets. But for dog owners, you know how hard it can be to keep your dog warm and bundled up as they move around. To help keep them comfortable, without raising your fuel bill more than necessary, you should consider dog heating pads.
This will provide your dog with a spot of their own to stay warm and cozy, making sure they are as comfortable as you are this winter. To make sure you get something you can trust, that will work for your dog and your home.
Table of Contents
Here Is A List Of The Best Dog Heating Pads In 2021.
| Dog Heating Pads | Features | Sizes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectro-Soft Heated | Thermostatically controlled | S, M, L | 4.6 |
| Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper | Thermostatically controlled | M | 4.1 |
| Pet Bed Warmer | Increases bet temperature by 10-15 degrees | S, M, L, XL | 4.2 |
| RIOGOO | Auto power-off feature | 1 size | 4.4 |
| Self-Warming Pet Crate | Self warming | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | 4.4 |
Some of the best bed warmers and heating pads for dogs on the market include:
K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Heated Outdoor Pet Bed 
Pros
- Comes in three sizes
- Orthopedic foam
- Thermostatically controlled
- One year limited warranty
- 5.5-foot cord
- Electrical safety tested
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Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Pet Bed
If you don’t want to buy a heating pad and a bed, you can combine the two with the Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper. The 5 inches bolster around the bed helps support your dog and further retain warmth, while also being available in medium and large sizes. The plush cushion is ideal for any dog, especially those who have hip or joint pain. The bed is thermostatically controlled, meaning you can plug it in and let it do its job. It is also very easy to clean.
Pros
- Two size options
- Good for dogs arthritis, joint or hip problems
- 5-inch bolster
- Thermostatically controlled
- Easy to wash
- Electrical safety tested
- One year limited warranty
- Plush cushion
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K&H Pet Products Pet Bed Warmer
If you already have a bed for your dog, you can also opt for an insert that is placed inside or under the bed. This allows your dog to stay comfortable in their favorite bed, while also staying warm. You can choose between four sizes to fit any bed. It will naturally raise the temperature around your dog to around 10 to 15 degrees above ambient temperature.
Pros
- Comes in four sizes
- Increases bed temperature by 10-15 degrees above ambient
- One year limited warranty
- Slips under most dog beds
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RIOGOO Pet Heating Pad
For pet owners that want more control over their pet’s heating pad, you can also go with something that has both time and temperature controls. You can also easily wash and replace the polyester cover, and seven layers of protection provide greater durability and protection.
Pros
- Works for all indoor pets
- Waterproof
- Non-toxic materials
- Replaceable polyester cover
- Auto power-off feature
- Time and temperature control
- One year manufacturer guarantee
- Seven layers for added protection
K & H Manufacturing KH Self Warming Pet Crate Pad
For dogs who spend time in crates, it is ideal to have a self-heating pad inside. The corners of the pad are slit to make it easy to fit in any crate, there is no need to use electricity if your dog is a chewer. There is also a microfleece top and non-slip bottom to provide greater comfort and six different size options to choose from.
Pros
- Six different size options
- Three color options
- One year limited warranty
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for any crate
- Microfleece top
- Non-slip bottom
- Self-warming
What is a Dog Heating Pad?
Much like a heated blanket, or heated seats and floors, a heating pad is used to provide additional warmth to the body. For dogs, these pads can be used in their beds, kennels or in their favorite lounge spot to help keep them warm and cozy without needing to crank your heat up more or bundle your dogs in clothes and blankets. This also keeps it simple for your dogs to warm up, without overheating or getting sick.
Heating pads for dogs can be powered in one of three ways. The first is the standard electric option. Electric heating pads are plugged into an outlet to power them, providing you with a constant power source. This makes them reliable for all night use to keep your dog toasty. But they should not be used if your dog is a chewer that might attempt to eat the cords. This can lead to serious health hazards. You should either choose a different power source or take steps to keep it wrapped and covered so your dog can’t chew the cord.
A Second Option
The second option for powering your dog’s heating pads is with a microwave. This is done by microwaving the pad in the microwave for a few minutes and laying it down under your dog’s bed or blankets. This is an incredibly straightforward process, providing you with hours of heat at a time. However, you will need to microwave them to get them warm, and they will need to be heated in the microwave again a few hours later to keep it warm.
The final option is the most self-sufficient because it uses thermal energy. This means that the heating pad uses your dog’s own body heat and stores it in the pad, to help keep your dog warmer longer. It requires no outside power source and is incredibly cost-effective. They come in fleece or sheepskin coverings to make them plush and comfortable, while also being durable for a more active and destructive pet. However, your dog’s own body heat will only do so much, making it not ideal for extremely cold temperatures.
Why You Must Provide It To Your Dog?
Whether it is for lounging in your home or to keep them warm in a kennel, your dog needs to be kept warm through the colder weather. Even if your dog has very long, thick fur, they can get cold in freezing temperatures. But dog breeds that have little body fat, thinner fur, and short hair all will have a much harder time when it is cold staying warm.
By keeping your dog warm, you help prevent illnesses like colds, health conditions like hypothermia, and make them much more comfortable and happy. This means you will save money on vet bills, medications, and extra fuel usage while making sure your dog is getting what it needs.
Dog Heating Pads Factors to Consider
To better tell if your dog will benefit from a heating pad, and make sure you get the right one for your dog’s needs, it is important to consider certain factors.
Dog Body Type
Certain dog breeds like Saint Bernard, Newfoundland or Huskies are able to withstand colder temperatures. They have thick fur and overall body build that supports that. But dogs with much thinner fur, or less body fat like greyhounds, chihuahuas, bulldogs, and pugs are going to have a much harder time staying warm. For them, it’s harder to get comfortable in colder weather.
This means that you need to make sure you are providing them with some extra help when it is cold. They aren’t going to burn too much energy trying to stay warm and risk getting sick. It is also important to recognize that even dogs built for colder weather will have their limits and will need help in extreme cold.
Dog Age
Older dogs and young puppies are much more susceptible to problems with the cold, making it necessary to provide them with some extra help. Pregnant dogs or dogs that are nursing should also be kept warm and comfortable to keep their bodies from stressing to stay warm. Otherwise, you can end up with serious health issues for your dog.
Dog Size
It is important to make sure you are providing your dog with a heating pad large enough to help them. Smaller breeds will be able to fit more easily on any mat size. But larger dog breeds will need to be measured and you will need to get something large enough to accommodate its size. Otherwise, your dog can still have a hard time keeping itself warm if their body is not fully on the pad. The heating pad may not produce enough heat for a large dog either if the size difference is too great.
Climate Where You Live
If you have relatively mild winters where you are, with warmer temperatures, it is not as necessary to have something to heat your dog up. You can opt for thermal powered heating pads because it will help keep your dog warm without overheating them. You might live in an area with more extreme temperatures where it is going to be very cold. In this case, you will need to provide your dog with something that can give your dog that extra heat that its body will desperately need. This means you will need a more powerful heating pad that will keep your dog warm for longer periods of time. Electrical powered heating pads are ideal for these scenarios.
Where The Dog Will Be
Indoor dogs can cuddle up with you. They enjoy the natural heat of those around them. The heat in your home will help it. This means that it will rely less on the heating pad, and use it more as an addition to the heat of its surroundings. But dogs that are kept outside, or in a place other than the home, will need to have something substantial to help it. A heating pad is crucial for any outside dog because they need protection when facing the elements.
How Long They Will Need The Pad
Heating pads that use thermal energy or that are microwavable are great for keeping your dog warm for short periods of time but is not an all-day solution. This is because your dog will only produce so much body heat before it needs an outside source to help maintain the temperature of the heating pad.
Microwavable heating pads will stay warm for a few hours. The inconvenience is that you will have to reheat it several times a day and throughout the night to maintain that heat. This is why they are more ideal for shorter-term needs. For long term and all-day use, you will need to use something like an electrical heating pad. It will produce continuous currents to the pad and keep the temperature from getting colder as the day goes on.
Controls and Settings
If you go with an electrical heating pad for your dog you will get much more control over the pads temperature. This is important because electric heating pads maintain heat, rather than losing it. That makes it a lot easier for your dog to overheat.
Cleaning Method
You should look for a heating pad that is cleanable. This will prevent being stuck with a stinky pad. But you should also look at the cleaning process, to make sure it isn’t overly complicated or time-consuming.
Safety Features
No matter what power source you go with, you need to make sure that the heating pad is durable enough to handle your dog. This means going with chew and scratch-proof materials that will prevent your dog from destroying it and getting hurt. You should also go with flame-retardant materials and automatic shut-offs if you go with an electric model.
Conclusion
Whether it is the K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Heated Outdoor Pet Bed or any of the other models on your list, you can be sure you are providing comfort and warmth for your dog all winter long. This will keep them happy and healthy, no matter how cold it gets and where your dog uses it. Your fur baby with thank you.
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
