When you know your cat or dog is ready to sleep for awhile, place a rubber hot water bottle under the bedding, but close enough so they feel the heat. I use these myself sometimes during the day and definitely at night. They have never leaked. When heating the water, remove just before the boiling point.
By Chantal from Salem, OR
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I voted this tip down, not because the idea isn't good. It's a very good idea. But I've used hot water bottles on myself many times through the years, and they get cold after not too awfully long. I use a different way of keeping my dogs' bed warm. I have an electric "throw" blanket. I put it on the floor underneath my dogs' bed and turn it on low. Then I put a small lightweight blanket on top. I have the ones they sell at Wal Mart for $6 right now. One is plenty for my 2 dachshunds.
The electric blanket keeps the bed at just the right temperature for them on a cold night, and doesn't cool off over time. It only costs pennies a day to keep it on. And the blanket on top holds the warmth in so they aren't warm on their bellies and cold on their backs. My babies love it. An added advantage: They aren't sneaking up into my warm bed after I go to sleep! (Not that they aren't welcome, but they love their bed).
We have an old Bassett Hound with a crooked paw and arthritis. Since she does not bite at anything I put a heating pad, on low, and place it in various places.
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My daughter's boyfriend just adopted a 7-week old puppy from the pound. To keep it quiet at night, my daughter told him to fill an empty soft drink bottle with hot water, wrap it in a towel, and put it in it's bed. No more whimpering puppy!
By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC
We went thru this years ago with a 1/2 German Shepard 1/2 wolf runt of the litter we got from a farm family.
In addition to the hot water bottle we also added a clock that was ticking (to simulate heart beat).
And another dog we got that belonged to a neighbor that passed away was comforted by a pair of the owners pants we got from his laundry.The dog was older but still grieved & the scent of his best friends clothing helped the dog thru a tough time.
A fluffy stuffed animal helps them to sleep because they are used to cuddling with other furry puppies. I never heard of the warm bottle trick but whatever works.
A hot pad set on low and wrapped in a towel will also work, and it doesn't get cold later in the night.
Also, an old wind-up clock that ticks will help a puppy sleep. The ticking makes them feel like another puppy is with them.
