Homemade Electric Pet Blankets

Keeping your pet warm in cold weather is an important step in keeping him healthy and safe. Indoor pets or pets that sleep in a garage or shed, might need a homemade electric blanket to help them keep their body temperature up. Homemade electric pet blankets should only be used indoors and should never be used in places that contain combustible material such as hay. The blankets should also not be used in any location where they might get wet.

  1. Gather Materials

    • To build a home made dog or cat electric blanket, you will need a low-level heating pad that is up to date and brand new. Do not use an old heating pad or one that does not meet today's safety standards. Double check that there have been no recalls pertaining the heating pad. Find a throw-sized fleece blanket that you can use as a dog blanket as well, and gather a sewing machine and thread.

    Creating the Dog Blanket

    • Lay the heating pad in the center of the fleece blanket. Stretch out the cord, with the off and on switch so that it is laying off of the blanket itself. Fold the blanket over once, so that the heating pad is inside of two sides of fleece blanket.

      Sew the area around where the heating pad is located. Do not sew over top of the cord. The cord should be sticking out of your fleece blanket. If you wish, you can also sew around the open edges of the fleece blanket, but this is not required.

    Using the Blanket

    • A heating blanket for a pet is not meant to be used when the owner is not in constant supervision. Do not use this blanket for outdoor animals or animals that do not sleep in your home. Plug the blanket in, set it on low and set the blanket in an area where your dog or cat will sleep.

      Do not use the blanket with puppies or kittens who are not mobile enough to move off of the blanket if they become too warm. Do not use the blanket in an area where a dog cannot get off of it, such as the bottom of a kennel or locked cage. Only use the blanket in an area where the dog can choose to sleep on it or not. Watch your dog or cat carefully. If he shows signs of chewing on a cord, remove the blanket.