Heated Pet Beds, Mats and Pads  -  Frequently Asked Questions WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HEATED MAT, BED AND PAD? Different manufacturers will use different terms to describe their product.  This can be confusing.  However, to our way of thinking, there definitely is a difference.  A mat is generally a plastic product with a sealed heating element which cannot be removed.  Mats typically can be used indoors or outdoors.  Mats usually have an optional cover (or the cover may be provided as part of the product) which can be removed for washing.  Mats usually should not be covered with anything (other than the covers made for such purposes) so that there is no heat buildup.   Also, most mats should be used with a temperature control unit; this is particularly true when using mats with new puppies, older or recuperating dogs.  Mats should not totally cover a confined area (such as a wire crate) so that your pet can get off the heated surface should they feel the need to do so.  Since mats are rigid, they can be placed on the floor or mounted on a wall.  Wall mounts allow your pet to lay against the warm surface yet move away when heat is not needed. A pad is a thin, flexible fabric construction with a heating element which generally can be removed.  Pads may have intervening foam layers (either regular or orthopedic) which soften the pad for your pet’s comfort.  The foam layers can sometimes be adjusted to control the effective surface temperature of the pad (putting more foam on top of the heating element decreases the effective surface temperature).  Pads are usually washable.  Pads are meant to be used indoors.  By removing the heating element, pads can be used year round. A bed is a thick fabric construction with a heating element which generally can be removed.  Beds are usually a poly-filled “pillow like” affair, though other material may be used to achieve the loft (such as orthopedic foam).  Beds typically have an outer cover which is removable for washing.  Beds are generally meant to be used indoors, unless otherwise specifically rated for outdoor use. DO I NEED A TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT? Temperature controls units come in two flavors.  One type acts like a light dimmer switch (rheostat) which reduces the voltage to the heating element and thus reduces the operating temperature.  Rheostat style control units provide continuous power so that the heating element stays constantly energized and warm regardless of the ambient air temperature.  They are self-contained controls that plug into a power outlet and into which you plug in the heating unit.  A simple dial, usually marked from “high” to “low” to “off” is used to control the power provided to the heating element. The other type of control unit acts like a thermostat which cycles power on and off depending on the temperature at a sensor probe.  With a thermostat style control, you dial in a temperature and the unit cycles on and off based on the temperature reported by the probe.  By necessity, the probe is attached to the control by a wire.  You place the probe at the location where you want to monitor the temperature – usually next to the heating element inside the pad or bed or on the mat. If your heated mat, bed or pad is described as “low voltage”, then you do not need (and should not use) a rheostat-style temperature control unit.  A thermostat-style control unit is OK, but probably not needed. Rheostat style control units require frequent monitoring because the ambient air temperature changes which affects the amount of heat your pet requires.  This is particularly true if used in outdoor applications. Also, a certain amount of trail and error is required until you figure out what setting is most comfortable for your pet.  Thermostat style control units are more hands off because they operate based on the temperature reported by the probe which is really what you are trying to achieve.  However this type of control is more complicated electronically and therefore is more expensive.  Also, the probe involves another wire which you have to deal with and there is the issue of putting the probe where you want it and keeping it there. In our opinion, you should always purchase a control unit when using a heated mat (the rigid plastic heating device).  Even though mats have an internal thermostat which controls the maximum temperature, this is not true for the lower temperatures.  Different dogs have different heat requirements and the environments in which you use a heating mat vary greatly.  A control unit allows you to fine tune the mat to your pet’s requirements.  This is particularly true for newborn puppies, older or convalescing animals which may not need full heat or cannot move to a more comfortable location. Temperature control units can also be useful for heated beds or pads for basically the same reason as described above for heated mats.  Since beds and pads are thicker than mats, the heat at the surface may not be as much and you can sometimes control the surface temperature by where you place the heating element inside the beds or pads. MY PET IS A CHEWER.  CAN I USE A HEATED BED? If your pet is an aggressive chewer and takes great delight in shredding anything they can get their teeth into, then a heated pet bed or pet mat may not be the thing to use.  The fabric construction of these devices may not stand up to this type of abuse.  In addition, if the heating element operates at 110-volts, then there is a risk of shock should your pet chew into the wires (this is not so much an issue on low-voltage heating appliances). A heated pet mat, which is a rigid plastic affair, may be a better way to go.  Oftentimes, mats have small holes which allow you to secure the mat to the floor or wall with screws.  In this case, your pet cannot get to the mat to chew on it.  You may have to protect the power cord, particularly for cords which are not wire-wrapped.  However, most manufacturers recognize this and wire-wrap the power cords on mats.  Mats described as “heavy duty” (such as the Kane Heated Pet mat) come out of the agricultural industry and are extremely tough.  It is difficult to conceive of a dog that can chew up these types of mats. For something completely different, you may want to consider using an “energy-free” heating insert.  These work either by reflecting your pet’s body heat by an aluminized mylar surface (Four Paws K9 Sleeping Pad Radiant Warming Insert) or by heating a non-toxic gel in a microwave (K&H Thermo-Wave Microwavable Pet Bed Warmer).  Your dog may still end up chewing these to pieces, but there will be no health risk in doing so. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “LOW VOLTAGE” AND “HIGH VOLTAGE” HEATED MATS? All heated pet mats (including beds and pads) operate off of 110-volts.  The low-voltage appliances have a built-in transformer which convert the 110-volts at the plug into something much lower (typically 24-volts).  In turn, the heating elements are designed to operate at this lower voltage.  The lower voltages are much safer in that your pet will not be harmed even if they happen to chew into the wires.  Because these units operate at a reduced power, you should not use a rheostat-style temperature control unit with them. The high-voltage appliances provide 110-volts directly to the heating elements.  There is a risk of a shock hazard should your pet come into contact with the wires, particularly the power cord.  If possible, it is a good idea to use your 110-volt heating appliance in CFCI-style electrical outlet.