Electric bed for our cat Dave... Best way to make one?

[buzzer]

I want to make a heated bed for our cat... I know you can buy electric blanket types but I have an idea of using a low wooden box with a sheet of thin alloy plate on the top.

So far I have the wood for the base, a piece of 20mm thick dense particle board and some nice hard wood around 20mm thick and 70mm wide which I will use for the edge of the box. This will stain nice to match the skirting board in the house!

For the top I have a sheet of 1.5mm alloy sheet which will fit in a small rebate on top of the box. His current bed just happens to be the same size so it will fit on top.

The plan is to use several 12v bulbs under the alloy sheet to provide a heat source. I will use a 12v transformer so that the wire going to the box is low voltage for safety reasons.

Question for the power of Piston heads is:-

Will it work?
Any better suggestions?

And importantly... How many bulbs and what wattage will I need to keep Dave toasty warm through the winter. His bed will reside on the landing where it's fairly warm and is his favourite place to sleep.

[Balmoral Green]

Doesn't he go out at night, on the razz, fighting & shagging & stuff like other cats do?

[Marf]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dog-Cat-Bed-Whelping-heat-he...

Just buy a heat mat.

[buzzer]

Balmoral Green said:

Doesn't he go out at night, on the razz, fighting & shagging & stuff like other cats do?

Yes, that's why he needs a nice warm bed when he is all shagged ou!

[buzzer]

Balmoral Green said:

Doesn't he go out at night, on the razz, fighting & shagging & stuff like other cats do?

Yes, that's why he needs a nice warm bed when he is all shagged out!

Edited by buzzer on Monday 4th October 22:02

[fake7]

look up "Snuggle Safe"

a pad you put in the microwave, so no wires to chew.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Are you mad?
Just buy a heat mat like your fellow slightly odd people who keep reptiles use.

[becksW]

It's a nice idea but just be careful, esp with heat mats, cats are not good at removing themselves from concentrated heat sources esp if elderly so can burn themselves as a result! (he will sleep on top of the box to be closer to the heat

Is there a particular reason for wanting a heat source for your cat (age?)

Edited by becksW on Monday 4th October 22:24

[toast boy]

Christ, he's got you well trained!

[Simpo Two]

I may have had too much red wine but read that as 'an electric cat called Dave'.

How cool is that eh?!!

But seriously, your cat is already heated. From within. And it has a fur coat on top. And free food. Dave will live

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 4th October 22:22

[tossbag]

[BlackVanGirl]

Make him a bed by all means but safety wise the microwavey thing is the way to go, or possibly an electric blanket on the very lowest setting. Don't bother reinventing the wheel.

[Famous Graham]

Long time no read

[Fer]

fake7 said:

look up "Snuggle Safe"

a pad you put in the microwave, so no wires to chew.

Funny, I was going to suggest a microwave too.

[BlackVanGirl]

Famous Graham said:

Long time no read

Hiya! You okay?

[GTIR]

A light on a stick will be more appropriate for Dave the cat.

[mat13]

GTIR said:

A light on a stick will be more appropriate for Dave the cat.

But what would dave (the cat) do?