It is a truth universally acknowledged that a cat in wintertime must be in want of the warmest spot in the house – which they will claim by hook or by crook. Or by cuteness! Keep your cats safe this winter with the help of our handy guide to Heating Safety and Your Warm Cat.

Fireplaces

I love a good fireplace – not only are they super-cozy on a winter’s day, but they can be amazing pieces of architecture. You could have a fireplace shaped like the open jaws of a giant cat! Which, okay, supervillain’s lair may not be your aesthetic. That’s fine.

While a fire in the fireplace is a toasty and relaxing thing, it’s also an open flame in your home that could be dangerous to your kitties. So here are the ground rules of Fireplace Safety When You Have Cats:

• Supervise your pets around a fire: you wouldn’t leave a toddler alone with one, and cats are basically just furry toddlers with god complexes.
• Train your pets to keep their distance from the fireplace: put their bedding at a safe distance and don’t throw toys or treats in the area when playing.
• Separate your pets from the flame: it’s just good sense to head feline curiosity off at the pass with a serious fireplace screen – and there are some beauts out there so it’s a win for your decor, too.
• Practice general fireplace safety as well: keep anything flammable well away from the area, have a fire extinguisher nearby, keep the flue and damper open when you have a fire, and invest in a carbon monoxide detector.

Radiators

Radiators are not as much fun as fireplaces, but they’re serviceable and common for apartment-dwellers. They can also sound like a cacophony of demons are tuning up for an orchestral performance when they’re first turned on. Not great! The heat is nice, though.

There are plenty of websites arguing over whether you can rest things on top of your radiator when it’s in use. Most people suggest it’s fine as long as you use non-flammable material. We suggest doing your research and deciding for yourself first.

If you do decide to make a warm cat hang-out spot on top of your radiator, make sure it doesn’t get too hot by using an appropriately thick shelf of a minimally conductive material. It’ll protect cats from being burned and their toes from getting caught in the radiator’s indents.

Space Heaters

These things can be great when you don’t have central heating but also don’t want to be a popsicle – which is me all the time in my office. Wearing fingerless gloves only goes so far, and then the cats think my hands are suspicious. Space heaters are also great for creating cat-melt, i.e. when your cat does their best impression of a fur rug.

If you use a space heater, there’s a core set of guidelines to follow for your warm cat and the happiness of everyone:

• Choose a space heater with a ceramic shell: it’ll keep the outside of the heater cool so your cat won’t get burned when they scent-mark the hell out if it.
• Train your cat not to sit on the space heater: make them understand it’s not a bed, try putting their bedding at a safe distance.
• Practice general safety: Keep the area around the space heater free of clutter and unplug it when not in use.

Heating Vents

If you have heating vents set in your floors, you know how easily they become blocked by strange, purring furballs with eyes. So weird, right?

Letting your cats sit on top of your heating vents might not burn them, but it can cause other problems like reduced heat circulation. The hot air can also dry out your kitty’s skin, making them itchy and giving them a dull coat.

Try training your cats not to sit directly on the vent – putting their bedding nearby and rewarding them for using it can work wonders. You could also purchase or build a platform designed to go over your vents; your pets don’t sit directly on the grate and there’s better airflow around them.

Use a humidifier to keep your home air comfortable for you and your pets. Your warm cat will thank you!

Heating Pads

Heating pads are AMAZING and I use them frequently – until I get up only to return and find a cat has claimed it. The betrayal on my kitty Daenerys’ face when I take mine back is epic, and her mournful cries are vociferous.

It’s fine to let your cat use a heating pad under supervision – you need to make sure it’s not too hot for them, and also either turn it off or remove it after 15-20 minutes so the cat doesn’t get burned if they fall asleep. Make sure they don’t claw the pad and risk electrocution either!

Cozy Spots

When it comes to providing safe and cozy spots for your cats during the winter, you can’t beat a soft nest in the sunshine. Provide cat beds or nests of bedding in several different places throughout your home – preferably where light comes through windows at various points of the day. Keep them a suitable distance from any of the heat sources mentioned above! They’ll be a warm cat, snug as a cat in a hug.

Okay, after all this talk of snuggly cats – I need to see some! Share pics of your furry friends staying warm this winter over on our Facebook.