Can I Use A Heating Pad With Straw?

[tinshopcats]

I took in a stray dog and fixed up a kennel for her; named her Baeli. I created her a little sleeping area in the kennel blocked off from wind but for cold nights, I got her a K&H heating pad; the hard plastic kind with a chew proof cord.

She loves her straw but I'm wondering if it's safe to put the pad on or under the straw? I believe the pad keeps a steady temp of 100 F. Or should I do away with the straw and use towels/blankets instead? My concern was the bedding getting wet and cold from her feet. Unless I put a welcome type mat at the dog door to help dry her feet before stepping in?

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Columbine]

I wouldn't want to risk mixing heating pads with straw. The fire risk is too high. If you want to use the heat pad, use a less flammable bedding material

Straw is a fantastic heat insulator on its own. You can add in some heat reflective blankets if you want to boost the warmth a bit.

This is about cat shelters, but most it it can be applied to dog kennels too:

I have lots!

Rubbermaid Magic Boxes. Inside is insulated with Reflectix and heat pad in the bottom

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• shadowsrescue
• Jan 28, 2015

This is my Shed in a Box. Inside is all of the shelters

Shelter January 2015 #2.JPG

• shadowsrescue
• Jan 28, 2015

This is the heated house my DH and DS built. It is insulated and is heated with a hound heater.

Heated house.JPG

• shadowsrescue
• Jan 28, 2015

Heated house #3.JPG

• shadowsrescue
• Jan 28, 2015

Heated house.JPG

• shadowsrescue
• Sep 30, 2014

snuggled in the heated house.jpg

• shadowsrescue
• Feb 12, 2014

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• shadowsrescue
• Jan 7, 2014

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• shadowsrescue
• Jan 7, 2014

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• shadowsrescue
• Oct 29, 2013

These are made by K&H. They have a heat pad in the bottom

Boys snuggling.jpg

• shadowsrescue
• Dec 18, 2013

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• shadowsrescue
• Aug 9, 2013

This is a feral villa my DH built

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• shadowsrescue
• Aug 9, 2013

Inside the feral villa

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• shadowsrescue
• Aug 9, 2013

Is there a particular reason you're keeping Baeli outside? I've always had my dogs in the house (along with us and the cats). I do know some people who keep their dogs in outside kennels, but they're working gundogs rather than regular pets. They have heated kennels too

How To Safely Introduce A Cat And A Dog
Caring For Cats And Dogs

 

[Kflowers]

Dogs can generate a lot of heat for themselves. I agree with Columbine, straw, or straw with the body heat reflecting blankets.
Just check Amazon and they've got some really nice ones for less than the price of a heating pad. If the addy doesn't work go to pet supplies dept enter body heat reflecting blanket. If you don't Amazon at least you'll know what's out there.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...ls,147&crid=26SS19BBNZF6U&tag=&tag=thecatsite

 

[di and bob]

100 degrees which is what they get to or maybe a few degrees warmer is the same as a cat or dogs normal temp. I wouldn't let the straw build up too much on top of it. I use my heatedpads with blankets and check them every few days to see if they need washed. I usually end up washing them every couple of weeks.