Answer: This is useful way of supplying heat to an ill or cold animal, attention should be
paid to the following points:
1 The hot-water should never be filled with very hot water, and certainly not boiling
water. It must always be well wrapped-up in a towel, or else placed in a specials hot water
bottle cover which totally encloses it. This is to avoid causing burning of the skin which
can be extensive and may result in the loss of the skin over a large area of the body.
2 Animals which are seriously ill, or even unconscious, will be unable to move away from
a hot-water bottle and this could lead to overheating. Therefore the bottle should be warm,
rather then hot.
3 Severely shocked animals will suffer if their body temperature is suddenly raised much
higher then that of their surroundings. So again, the hot-water bottle should be kept only
warm.
4 After filling, check that the bottle is watertight and, at intervals during its use,
check that the cover is still in place and that and that the bottle is not leaking.
An infra re-heater securely fastened at least 3 feet above the cat’s bed could be used
instead. It will supply radiant heat continuously and from time to time you should check
that the cat is not too warm, especially in summer. Special electric blankets can also be
obtained, preferably fitted with a thermostat so that the heat output can be controlled.
There are other alternatives too. If an electricity supply is unavailable, a pet bed
warmer can be used. This is sealed metal box in which solid fuel stick burns for about
eight hours. Again, the warmer should be well wrapped, but not in synthetic fabrics, such
as acrylic, which may melt. For gentle warmth, a temporary bed could be made up for your
cat in the airing cupboard.
