Are Pet Heat Pads Safe for Guinea Pigs?

Pet Heat Pads used for Guinea pigs! Guinea Pigs make great pets; not only are they adorable and friendly, they are generally healthy and low-maintenance.

That said, guinea pig owners do need to take a few measures to keep their pets healthy and happy, such as using heating pads to keep them warm.

But, are heating pads safe for guinea pigs? That is the question that this blog will attempt to answer.

Are Electric Pet Heating Pads Safe for Guinea Pigs?

Electric heating pads have become a popular way to keep small animals cozy and warm.

In general, electric heating pads are quite safe with the exception of the electric cord. If your guinea pig comes in to contact with or tries to chew the cord, they may get a nasty electric shock which could even prove fatal.

That said, that is no reason for you to not use an electric pad.  In fact, many electric heating pad brands these days cover their power cords with a protective metal coating which keeps people from coming into direct contact with them and animals from chewing them.

Other than that, if you live in a particularly cold region, an electric heating pad is probably better than its microwaveable counterpart. In some cases, during the peak of winter, for example, your guinea pigs may need a bit of additional warmth that a microwaveable heating pad might not be able to offer.

Below are a few pros and cons of using an electric heating pad for guinea pigs:

Pros of Pet Heat Pads

• An electric heating pad is generally larger than a microwaveable one, allowing multiple pigs to use the same pad for warmth.
• The power cords usually come with a remote controller that allows you to tailor the heat settings according to your pets’ requirements.
• Automatic shut-off feature offers additional safety
• Many electric heating pads come with chew-resistant cords –ideal for if your furry friends enjoy chewing on whatever is in sight.

Cons of Pet Heat Pads

• Energy bills may go up considerably, especially if you use the electric heating pad for extended periods of time.
• You will have to find a way to hide the electric cords from your pets.
• Risk, albeit small, of overheating the pigs; make sure to give them ample space to move away from the pad if needed.
• Electric heating pads are generally more expensive than microwaveable ones.

Are Microwaveable Pet Heat Pads Safe for Guinea Pigs?

Compared to electric pads, microwaveable heating pads are generally safer for guinea pigs. This is because microwaveable pads do not contain electric cords that the pigs might chew on.

However, you must remember that not all microwaveable heating pads are made equal, so make sure to pick the right one. There are numerous options available out there, but you must buy from a reputable company that uses high-quality materials.

Below are the pros and cons of using microwaveable heating pads for guinea pigs:

Pros

• Do not get as hot as electric heating pads, thereby posing a lower risk of overheating.
• Easy and convenient – simply pop the pad into the microwave and you are sorted.
• Microwaveable pads are generally cheaper than electric ones.
• Do not have to worry about installing your guinea pigs’ cage close to an electric socket to make the heating pad work.
• No wires or cords to worry about.

Cons

• Some microwaveable pads cannot retain heat as long as electric ones do, so you may have to re-heat them multiple times.
• With a microwaveable pad, you do not have any control over how hot the pad does or does not get.
• Microwaveable pads can lead to burns (especially when they are first taken out of the microwave) if you do not have something like a towel or blanket to cover them with.
• If you have multiple guinea pigs, you will have to heat the microwaveable pad separately for each pig – this can be quite tedious and time-consuming.

How to Use a Heating Pad Safely?

Below are a few ways to use a heating pad to keep your guinea pigs warm without compromising on their safety:

1)     Avoid Covering the Entire Cage Floor

You do not want your heating pad to completely cover the cage floor; it is important to leave off space that the pigs can move to should they begin to feel overly hot or uncomfortable. Pigs are good at regulating and perceiving temperature; they will understand if their bodies are getting too hot, and will want to move to a different area in the cage until things cool down a bit.

2)     Conceal the Electric Cord

As mentioned earlier, chewing on the electric cord can give your guinea pigs a severe – and perhaps even lethal –electric shock. To prevent this from happening, drill a small hole on the side of the pigs’ cage and shield this area using duct tape.

If you are using a microwaveable pad (or even an electric one with a chew-resistant cord), there is no need to worry about this problem.

3)     Keep it Dry

Regardless of the type of heating pad you use, you should keep it away from your pigs’ water bottles and bowls.

Make sure that no moisture gets into the pads themselves or the additional bedding that you need to put inside the cage.

4)     Use Thermometers

Placing a thermometer in or close to the pigs’ cage will help you determine if the temperature is too low and your pigs are losing a dangerous amount of body heat.

Conversely, you can also use the thermometer to make sure that the cage is not overheated.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, heating pads are one of the best ways to keep your guinea pigs warm and comfortable when the mercury drops too low. Heating pads are budget-friendly, easy to use, energy efficient (in most cases, at least), and do not require you to heat up the entire room.

To explore our full range of our affordable yet high-quality pet heating pads, please feel free to visit our website.