Do self-warming cat beds work outside?

When chilly weather hits, you might want to offer an outdoor cat a heated bed to help ward off the cold. But what about self-warming cat beds? How do these work? And do they work outside?

How It Works: Recycling a Cat’s Heat

Cats, like all mammals, are endotherms, but the more familiar (though possibly less accurate) term is warm-blooded. A cat’s body is a kind of living machine that works to convert the energy content of food into heat through metabolism. It works so well that it keeps felines at a cat-healthy body temperature of about 102°F.

But just as a hot cup of coffee eventually cools, a cat’s body heat dissipates into the air around it. A cat’s coat works as an insulator to help slow this process. But on a chilly day, a cat that enjoys spending time outside might find his body heat dissipating a little more quickly than usual. Maybe the cat spends time in an unheated garage or enjoys watching the world from your covered porch. Or maybe the cat has an outdoor cat house that you’d like to make even cozier.

You can help an outdoor cat stay more comfortable in any of these scenarios by offering him a self-warming cat bed. Self-warming beds for outdoor cats provide comfort while using no electricity at all. They work by taking advantage of a cat’s natural heat production.

First, the bed has a layer of insulation that sits just beneath the cozy, plush surface, collecting the cat’s body heat. Then a secondary heat-reflecting layer bounces that warmth right back to the cat (the same concept as space blankets). It’s very energy efficient since the bed makes use of heat that would’ve just escaped into the environment around the cat.

Advantages of Self-Warming Cat Beds

Self-warming cat beds can help keep cats warm in moderately cold weather without the need for electricity. Because you don’t have to plug it into a power source, a self-warming cat bed can be used in a wider range of locations than a bed that plugs in. You simply place a self-warming cat bed, like the K&H Self-Warming Pet Pad, inside the cat house. The Pet Pad is soft and warm with a microfleece cover that helps cats stay comfy and cozy. It's also washable to help make your life simple.

One luxurious cat house option is the extra-wide K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House. The insulated walls of the unheated version help retain a cat’s body heat, so it's a great place to put your self-warming cat bed.

Regardless of where you keep your cat house, the self-warming bed always works, and you have the shelter of the house and the return heat from the bed working together.

Because there is no active heat source, a self-warming bed runs no risk of overheating your cat. This ensures a safe and comfortable resting spot for cats of all ages and conditions.

If your outdoor cat already has a bed he likes, try a bed warmer like the K&H Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer. This clever pad becomes soft after briefly heating it in the microwave and helps keep the interior of a cat bed cozy for hours — just be sure to place it in a bed or wrap in a blanket. This insulation helps prevent the heat from being quickly absorbed by the cold floor or ground. Think of it as a handy solution for use in garages, covered porches, or other locations protected from the weather.

Self-Warming Cat Beds: A Simple Solution

Your self-warming cat bed certainly will work outside, but placing it in a somewhat protected location like an unheated garage, shed, or — best of all — a cat house will help it function even better. And you can have peace of mind knowing it provides a nice warm spot for cats, and you don’t have to manage the electrical requirements of a heated bed. And that's a win-win!