Humans use heating pads to help ease the pain of sore muscles or cramping. Heat can be beneficial for many different health ailments in humans, and the same can be said for our canine companions. You can use the best dog bed warmer to help your Fido when he's suffering from painful health conditions like arthritis or just to provide some much needed warmth on cold winter nights.
Heat improves the circulation in the area around sore muscles and aids in reducing the pain associated with the injury. Heat can also help relieve the ache of stiff muscles in overworked or senior dogs. The best dog bed warmers are especially convenient, because offer your dog the help of heat therapy while he's resting in his own comfy space.
As with most dog products, there are many dog bed warmers on the market. They all have their pros and cons, and we've done the research to find out which warmers stand out as being better than the rest. Here's a look at our top 10 list:
| Dog Bed Warmer | Price | Quality | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| K&H Pet Products Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer | $$$ | B+ | 4.3/5 |
| K&H Manufacturing Pet Bed Warmer | $$ | B | 4.3/5 |
| Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad | $$ | A | 4.6/5 |
| MOTA, The Original MyWarmPet Heat Pad | $$ | A | 4.6/5 |
| Toozey Pet Heating Pad | $ | A | 4.4/5 |
| Fluffy Paws Indoor Pet Bed Warmer Electric Heated Pad | $$ | C | 4.0/5 |
| Ensure Life Generic Heat Pad Mat for Dogs | $ | C- | 4.0/5 |
* Click on the best dog bed warmer for more information, prices and details. Scroll below to read reviews.
Reasons to use dog bed warmers
According to Dr. Phil Zeltzman, DVM, heat can be especially beneficial for dogs suffering with chronic arthritis pain or joint problems. Dr. Zeltzman says:
Heat therapy can also be used for ongoing conditions such as arthritis.By reducing stiffness, heat therapy helps to improve joint range of motion during and after exercise. In addition to these healing benefits, heat therapy provides comfort, relaxation and anxiety reduction. [Source]
Using heat therapy for dogs with arthritis and joint issues is so beneficial that Harvard Medical School suggests that they are one of the most effective solutions for treating these disorders. While you can purchase heating pads for your dog to rest on, it may be difficult to get him to lie still on them for 20-30 minutes at a time.
That's where the best dog bed warmer comes in. You see, these products will heat up Fido's bed while he sleeps. Not only can they be beneficial if your pet needs them to help with the pain of certain health conditions, they will also make his bed even more warm and snuggly.
There's a lot of evidence and research focusing on the effectiveness of using heat therapy to treat arthritis and other joint and muscle related health issues. But, this isn't the only reason that your pet can benefit from the best dog bed warmer.
More than that, a dog bed warmer can also be helpful for small breeds or dogs with little to no fur that get cold easily. Dogs with other health conditions can also benefit from an extra warm bed.
These health conditions include:
- heart conditions
- certain types of cancers
- Hypothalamic disease
- Thyroid disease
Winter is approaching quickly, which may be one of the main reasons that you're thinking about investing the best dog bed warmer for your canine companion. No matter what the reason, you need to be sure to find a bed warmer that will be effective and safe for your pooch.
The following products will keep your dog warm without adding any additional risks to his health or safety. They range in price and have different features that set them apart from one another. We'll go over the advantages and disadvantages of each product, so you can choose the warmer that will be right for your dog and his needs.
What's the Best Dog Bed Warmer?
top 7 options that are safe and effective
1K&H Pet Products Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer
This microwavable pet bed warmer is the perfect option if you want the best dog bed warmer that doesn’t need to be connected to a power source. This warmer from K&H Pet Products has a durable neoprene cover that measures 9”x9”, has an easy-carry strap, and is non-toxic. To use it, you have to place it in a microwave oven and let it warm up until the inner material turns squishy. That takes around 8 minutes.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
After adequately warming from the microwave, you can place this underneath your pet’s sleeping mat or bedding. Ideally, your pet should be in an enclosed house or room and protected from cold draft. In ideal conditions, the K& H Pet Products Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer should be good for 8-12 hours after which it turns cold and hard.
If used by your pet right after microwave heating, the warmth in the pad would stay much longer. The heat will dissipate into cold air and will naturally cool down faster when there’s no pet to help maintain the temperature. To prevent overheating and other accidents, never leave this pad unattended while it’s inside the microwave oven. The neoprene cover can be hand washed using soap and water.
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Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “I use this pad daily in the winter as my dog is often with me in the car while I am at work. It's ability to retain the heat is dependent on the conditions in which it is being used. If you heat it up and set it out in the cold, it will radiate…”
2K&H Manufacturing Pet Bed Warmer
Unlike the microwavable bed above, this pet bed warmer from K&H Pet Products needs electricity to start warming your pet’s bed. At 13 watts, it’s very cost-effective, so don’t worry about breaking your wallet. This is the large size and is 11” wide and 24” long. Smaller sizes consume lower wattage. It works for almost any type of indoor pet bed and heats up the bed’s surface to the preset temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit when your pet is lying on the bed. Otherwise, it will only warm up to 12-15 degrees above room temperature.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
The advantage of the K&H Manufacturing Pet Bed Warmer over any of the other best dog bed warmer products is its versatility. It can be used on any bed your pet already has. It costs only a fraction of the price of other similar products as well and uses less than a quarter of the electricity usually consumed by most heated pads.
Like other electricity-powered pet accessories, take the usual precautions to avoid problems with this product. Secure the power cord especially if your pet has the habit of chewing on things. Test for performance on the first few weeks of using the bed warmer and regularly recheck it afterwards. And keep in mind that it’s not a heated bed pad, so make sure to lay a bedding or thick blanket over it because it would be too hot for a pet to lie directly on.
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3Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad
The Snuggle Safe pet bed warmer uses the same principle as the K&H microwavable bed warmer. You place it in a microwave for 2.5-8 minutes depending on the microwave oven’s output wattage. The heat pad has a flat round shape, and is made of microwavable plastic. This disc contains a non-toxic compound called Thermapol that retains heat for about 8-10 hours. A fuzzy printed fabric covers the disc. You’d find this very useful for transporting pets in cold weather and during the times when you’d have no access to or prefer not to use electricity.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Aside from its usefulness when transporting pets, the Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad will definitely be a safer option for puppies with a penchant for electric wires. You’ll have fewer things to worry about when leaving your pets behind – your pets will be warm and toasty, and it allows you to dismiss thoughts of electrical accidents right away.
Unlike K&H microwavable, however, this best dog bed warmer remains hard even when it’s been heated, so it can’t be all that comfortable. The plush cover is not enough to make up for the rigidity of the surface. Thicker bedding should do the trick, and quite possibly, would even lengthen the time that the Snuggle Safe remains warm.
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4The Original MyWarmPet Heat Pad
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The MyWarmPet bed warmer from MOTA uses the same compound called Thermapol that Snuggle Safe uses to retain heat absorbed from being inside a microwave oven. It has the same disc shape as Snuggle Safe and has a thick removable flannel jacket that can be replaced or washed. You only need to heat it inside the microwave for about 5 minutes, depending on the oven’s output wattage, and heat will be evenly spread on the disc providing your pet 8- 12 hours of warmth.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Pets, especially those suffering joint issues, would find relief in this warm Frisbee-like disc under them or beside them. The heat does last long in a confined pet house but only for 4-5 hours in an open area, such as a patio or breezeway. Like Snuggle Safe, this best dog bed warmer is made of hard plastic, so you can’t wrap it around an arthritic hip like a foldable pad. The Original MyWarmPet Heat Pad is not designed for that purpose.
This is pricier than Snuggle Safe and that’s a disadvantage, being of the same size and all. In principle, this is a great product for all the reasons stated. Just be sure to check for defects right away. Look for signs of the plastic giving way to heat or denting after several use to prevent accidentally spilling the hot liquid inside.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMrEUcNFQ1Q
5Toozey Pet Heating Pad
The electric pads for pets with timer function provide an auto shut-off range from 4 to 24 hours, conserve energy and prevent burns caused by excessive heating. The timer LED will be shifted down one level to tell you how much time is left.
Don’t worry; this device can’t harm your pets since its 7-layer protective structure with UL-certified heating wire protects pets from burns. It also has a built-in intelligent temperature sensor in the heating pad to prevent overheating to protect pets.
The Toozey Pet Heating Pad has a unique design that protects pets from chewing wires with dual-resistant cord protection to ensure safety. It is an ultra-soft, machine-washable cover for comfort and convenience. If the inner pad becomes dirty, you just need to wipe the inner pad with a damp cloth instead of soaking it in water.
Toozey pet heating pads are great for pets as they can warm newborn and pregnant pets and ease joint pressure and pain in older, arthritic animals. It has applications beyond the winter months.
The temperature of the electric dog heating pad can be controlled with the LED controller. It can adjust the temperature easily with 6 temperature settings ( 86-131℉/30-55℃) to accommodate your comfort level.
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6Fluffy Paws Indoor Pet Bed Warmer Electric Heated Pad
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Like the Milliard bed warmer, this one from Fluffy Paws is also a slim electric heated pad. Unlike all the bed warmers we’ve mentioned, this best dog bed warmer provides two temperatures for your dog to enjoy. One side has a red label indicating the high temperature of 100 degrees, while the other side has a blue label indicating the low temperature of 82. Simply flip on the side with the most favorable warmth. The heating unit measures 12.3”x18” and is water-resistant. It comes with a removable fleece cover made of polyester material on top and nonskid nylon at the bottom.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Very few bed warmers are available in big sizes, and you’d be glad to know that Fluffy Paws offers this heated pad in two bigger sizes. The large size is 20.9” x 28.4” and would be perfect for a medium to large dog. The Fluffy Paws Indoor Pet Bed Warmer Electric Heated Pad very well-built and you’d feel safe about its power cord because it’s wrapped in very hard plastic coil.
The heating unit, though, is also hard making sleep not very comfortable for dogs used to sleeping on soft bedding. The velvety cover is soft to the touch, but for dogs with orthopedic issues, it just won’t do. You may try softening with a few layers of blanket or towel, but that would definitely affect the heat that reaches your pet.
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7Ensure Life Generic Heat Pad Mat for Dogs
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Ensure Life’s pet bed warmer is another electric-heated pad for dogs and small pets. It is square in shape with about 17.5” length on its sides. Unlike the Fluffy Paws and Milliard bed warmers, its power cord is not encased in a protective coil. It has a control box that switches the temperature to high or low and turns the unit off. The pad is waterproof and that’s a huge draw if you’re buying it for untrained pets.
- Dog bed warmer reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
The highest temperature is kind of low compared to the other best dog bed warmer devices on this list. The Ensure Life Generic Heat Pad Mat for Dogs very steady, though, and we believe it’s great for little pets that will actually thrive better on beds that are not very warm or hot.
In fact, we recommend this for whelping boxes because of this characteristic low but steady warmth. If used for that purpose, we strongly suggest that you place pee and potty pads or additional blankets, not only to keep the unit easier to clean, but to make the newborns more comfortable as well.
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