Can I give my cat a hot water bottle?

Cats don’t actually feel the cold in the same was as humans do. Their fur is a great insulator and as the colder winter months approach, cats will develop their winter coat. Their fur grows heavier and thicker to help keep them warm. But when the temperatures really plummet low, and we are all feeling snuggled up in our beds at night, many of us worry if our little cat babies are also warm and cozy. Although cats are better equipped to deal with colder temperatures than us, they will seek out warmth and comfort if they can. And therefore, offering a warmer area for your cats will be most welcomed by them.

Can I give my cat a hot water bottle?

The short answer is YES, you can give your cat a hot water bottle. But there are a few key things to bear in mind:

It is very important that your cat can move away from the hot water bottle. This will prevent overheating.
The hot water bottle should be padded well. Wrap the hot water bottle in a blanket, pillowcase or old jumper. This will ensure that your cat cannot scratch or pierce the hot water bottle (although a good quality bottle would be very difficult to pierce). Also ensure that the hot water bottle isn’t too hot when your cat lies against it.
The hot water bottle won’t stay warm all night.

Which cats may benefit from a hot water bottle?

Elderly cats

A cat is officially classed as a ‘senior’ at the age of 10, but with good health, a little extra care, and attention, your cat could live until 18, 19, even into her early 20’s. It’s a good idea to be aware of what can be done to ensure that these older years are as comfortable as possible for your cat. Many older cats will sleep for more of the time. As cats get older, they do tend to feel the cold more. A hot water bottle can provide some extra warmth and comfort. Coupled with soft blankets, an old sweater, pillows or cushions, maximum warmth and comfort can be provided. Ageing joint and bones will benefit from restful, comfortable naps and sleeps. We have dedicated a whole article on caring for elderly cats; ’16 Top tips to ensure the senior years are comfortable for your old cat’.

Feral and outside cats in winter

Feral and stray cats are extremely tough and resourceful; indeed, they have to be for survival! During the winter as the temperatures plummet, these cats will benefit from a little help in keeping warm. It will help if they have access to somewhere warm and dry to shelter. Even a simple, dry shelter will make life more comfortable for them. Make one from some old wood, modify an unused dog kennel or rabbit hutch, or even a storage bin on its side. The cat’s body heat will warm the shelter as long as the shelter is not too big. Straw can be very effective to provide warmth in outside shelters. A hot water bottle wrapped in an old towel or blanket can be a very welcome addition too on extremely cold nights.

It’s not only feral cats that are outside. Some cats come and go as they wish from indoor to outdoor. And some of these cats may prefer to sleep outside. Access to somewhere warm and dry is essential. Outbuildings, garages and sheds are great places to snuggle, or even build an outside shelter for your cat. As with feral cats, outside cats are pretty tough, and their fur will keep them warm but again, a little extra warmth on those super cold nights will be most welcoming.

Check out our article on keeping your cats safe in winter; ‘Keeping cats safe in winter: A complete guide’

Young kittens

Welcoming a new kitten to the family is always an exiting time and ensuring the little one settles is a key factor. Many cat owners strongly recommend a warm (not hot!) hot bottle wrapped up in a blanket or pillowcase to help the kitten to settle. The kitten will have been used to its mother’s warm body to snuggle up to and so the warm bottle will be a comfort in the readjusting period.

Poorly cats

When nursing a sick cat, providing a warm comfortable bed will be a top priority. A warm, wrapped, hot water bottle can help keep your cat warm. If they are not able to move, then ensure that they do not overheat. Always consult your veterinary for advice on caring for your sick pet.

Cats showing symptoms of Hypothermia

Hypothermia in cats is defined as when the body temperature falls below 100°F. It can occur if your cat is exposed for a long period of time to cold temperatures and more so if the fur has become wet. As the cat’s body temperature falls, heart rate decreases along with other organs in the body, and without treatment, hypothermia can be fatal.

Symptoms of hyperthermia include:

Cat shivering violently as they attempt to generate warmth.
Skin is cold to the touch
Difficulty breathing
Lethargic
Loss of consciousness

The symptoms will become more noticeable as the hypothermia becomes more severe. Please seek veterinary advice as soon as hyperthermia symptoms are noticed. There are a few things you can do whist waiting for veterinary care:

If your cat’s fur is wet, dry her up and wrap in a warm towel or blanket. Keep your cat in a warm environment.
A hot water bottles can help to warm your cat but ensure the bottle is not too hot. Also ensure that your cat can move away from the bottle if needed.

Alternatives to a hot water bottle

Stone bottle

Although it would be extremely difficult for a cat to pierce a well-covered, and good quality hot water bottle, there is an alternative if you are concerned. There are stone hot water bottles available – no amount of clawing and scratching will cause damage to these. They can be quite difficult to source new but keep your eye out for unused second hand ones.

Blanket

Most cats, generally, do like a blanket. And cats being cats, they will of course vary in their preferences of blanket material and how it’s placed. They are more likely to enjoy the benefits of a blanket during the colder months, but they can be enjoyed for comfort all year round. Check out our article ‘Do cats like blankets’ for a more in-depth discussion about cats and their blankets. Here are a few key points to consider when choosing a blanket for your cat:

Cat blankets are blankets specifically designed for use by cats and are widely available. Although most blankets used for humans are safe for cats too, it is always best to check. Blankets which have loose yarn or thread will be unsuitable as cats may ingest the fibres which can get stuck if swallowed.
Any decorative features on a blanket such as tassels, buttons, fringes and alike are not recommended for cat use. Cats may be tempted to play and chew on the decorations and could cause choking.
Any blankets with electrical cords are also dangerous. If the electrical cords are chewed this may even result in death.
It is important that cats always have a choice as to whether or not they want a blanket. Ensuring your cat can move from under the blanket easily is essential.

Self heating mat

We have two self-heating pads and our cats love them. They are simple, safe but very effective. They are a zipped blanket, the top layer being a soft comfortable material and the bottom being a non slip base. Inside the zipper is a thermal insulation layer with a heat reflection layer. When the cat lies on the soft blanket, its own heat is absorbed and then reflected back. They are machine washable too so easy to keep clean. We can highly recommend the Sleepy Paws self heating pet pad, they’ve had the deal of approval from our two kitties.

Microwavable heat pouches

These are heat pads which are placed in the microwave for a few minutes and can then provide hours of safe heat. No cords or wires and no risk of any burst hot water. Many come with a fleece cover for added safety and comfort. Once heated as per the instructions they can be placed in your cat’s bed, or under a blanket. They are quick and easy to use, and easy to keep clean too. If you have more than one cat, simply put one in each sleeping area. These from ‘Hottie’ are great, a microwave hot water bottle in a lambs wool fleece cover.

Hooded cave beds

The choices of hooded, warm and comfortable cat beds is vast. By having a cover, it keeps cats protected from any drafts. Some cats feel safer when they are hiding, and these types of bed are perfect. They vary from hooded beds, caves or tent beds and in a huge variety of styles and sizes. Many have soft material on the inside for maximum comfort. We’ve dedicated a whole article exploring where cats should sleep, what type of beds are available, and a look at the sleeping patters of our feline friends. Have a look here, ‘Where should my cat sleep’. We particularly like these Handmade 100% Merino Wool Beds.

A feline friend

What better heat is there than body heat? It doesn’t wear off, can’t be too hot and you gain a friend for life! Yes, why not get your cat another kitty friend. They can both snuggle up together to keep each other warm on cold nights. Our two cats nap in the daytime separately but sleep together at night. They can’t actually tell us to confirm that this is a great way to sleep, but they certainly look very warm and cozy snuggled up together in their basket.