Your cat needs to stay warm when it’s cold outside. Not surprisingly, cats are instinctively drawn to heat sources, such as radiators and wall heaters, and this leaves your cat at risk of burns and scalds. Cats and high heat can be a dangerous combination if not monitored closely.
Radiators are unlikely to burn cats as the temperature will adjust. The thermostatic radiator valve must be set to a cat-safe temperature, and the radiator serviced annually. A cat radiator bed removes any risk. However, if a radiator has a faulty thermostat, the temperature could become scalding.
Cats hate living in a cold house, and that’s why safety precautions around radiators are crucial if you share your home with cats. A feline’s love of warmth and heat will often supersede its sense of self-preservation. However, there are ways to prevent your cat from getting burnt.
Why Do Cats Like Warmth So Much?
A cat’s passion for warmth is due to its genes as they’re descended from desert-dwelling ancestors. This means that they have a naturally higher body temperature than humans.
The average body temperature of a cat is 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Provided a cat stays above 100 degrees, it’ll be comfortable. If it gets any cooler, your cat will be too cold.
Unfortunately, cats don’t always realize when they’re too hot. When the ambient temperature outside is cold, your cat will notice this quickly. So, it’ll seek a heat source, resting beside a heater or on top of a radiator.
Can Cats Feel the Heat?
Cats have fewer pain receptors than humans when it comes to heat. The human body acknowledges pain at 112 degrees, but cats don’t recognize pain until 126 degrees is reached.
If you touched a burning, you’d remove your hand immediately. The experience would nonplus a cat, but this doesn’t mean that cats are safe as they’ll still burn but won’t realize until it’s too late.
This is why it’s so crucial to monitor a cat around a heat source. Sure, not many radiators reach triple-figure temperatures, but your cat could still do itself harm without realizing it.
Your cat will already be running hot, but it’ll start absorbing extra heat from a radiator or heater. It may not realize it, as its fur absorbs this warmth. If your cat then dozes off, burns are likely to happen.
Are Radiators Safe for Cats?
Your cat would need to spend a lot of time in direct contact with a radiator to be scalded. However, as cats are unlikely to realize that it’s too hot before it’s too late, you’ll need to step in after a while. If your cat falls asleep on a radiator, it’s more likely to get burned.
Other health concerns arise from spending too much time on a radiator, too. Your cat’s skin will likely dry out, and this will leave your cat feeling particularly itchy and uncomfortable.
A radiator cover for your cat will minimize the risk. Laying a thick, non-flammable blanket on a radiator makes a cozy perch for your cat.
Are Radiator Cat Beds Safe?
A cat radiator bed hangs over a radiator, like a portable hammock. A radiator bed consists of a small cushion that hooks over the heat source.
Your cat can then doze on the radiator without sitting directly on it. However, you should still apply a radiator cover for your cat’s protection.
Your cat may need some convincing that it should use a radiator bed. Ensure that the cushion is soft and comfortable.
Are Portable Heaters Safe for Cats?
Choosing the right model is pivotal if you have a cat. Some heaters are more feline-friendly than others. Safety features in a portable heater include:
- Automatic shutdown. Find a heater that turns itself off if tipped over. This way, clumsy cats cannot burn down your house.
- Timer operation If you can set your heater to turn on and off at particular times, so much the better. Heat it while your cat is asleep and switch it off while they’re roaming.
- Oscillation. A heater that rotates will distribute warmth around the room. This means that your cat is less likely to sit on it, risking burns.
- Thermostat. Any quality heater will have multiple temperature settings. A built-in thermostat, which adjusts according to the ambient temperature, is ideal.
- Ceramic coating. A ceramic coating will be cool to the touch. This minimizes the risk of your cat burning himself when he passes by.
If you cannot be sure that a heater is cat-safe, leave it on the shelf. Hazardous portable heaters and curious cats lead to burns and house fires.
My Cat Sits Too Close to the Heater
If your cat sits in front of a heater, it’s unsafe. If your cat tends to get too close to a heater for comfort, don’t let it nap. Allow your cat to build its core body temperature, then move it on. Cats will stay in this position all day.
You could also try blocking the path to the heater. This is a hazard for your home, though. If you use something flammable, it could catch fire.
Portable heaters should be used in short, controlled bursts. Let your cat warm up, and then turn it off. The heater should be unplugged and kept out of your cat’s reach when not in use.
Has My Cat Been Burned By a Radiator?
Sometimes, you won’t know if a cat has been burned. If your cat doesn’t feel any pain, it won’t yowl or cry. This will change after the event, though.
Burns on a cat’s skin can become tender. The physical symptoms of a burn are quite evident. These include:
- Raw, bright red patches of skin
- Reluctance to be touched
- Black, charred skin (when he has severe burns)
- Blisters on the skin
There are three degrees of burns:
- First-degree burns are superficial injuries. They’ll leave the skin red and singe fur. They’ll also hurt. No permanent damage will be done. Your cat’s skin will heal, and its fur will regrow.
- Second-degree burns will lead to blistered skin, as well as redness. This suggests that the burns have penetrated your cat’s exterior and damaged them beneath the skin. Expect a cat with second-degree burns to yowl as they hurt a lot.
- Third-degree burns are a medical emergency. The burns will penetrate all layers of skin and potentially lead to nerve damage. These are marked by charred, blackened skin.
It’s unlikely that a burn or scald from a radiator will extend beyond first-degree burns but may reach second-degree status in some extreme cases.
Limit your cat’s direct contact with a heat source and provide it with protection when possible. This will keep your cat warm and safe throughout the colder winter months.
