Snugglesafe

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

It sounds like it's just a possible reduction in heat retention that is the issue?  Sounds like a marketing ploy to me.  Mine retains heat just fine and it has been used daily for several years.

[Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's)]

I emailed them saying that I only use them for a maximum of about 12 weeks a year which works out at 6-9 months of use per 2-3 years and do they therefore still need to be replaced that regularly.

I have just had a reply

"Hi Charlotte
 
We generally recommend that a SnuggleSafe heatpad is replaced after three years. This is an arbitrary time in some respects as we have to allow for regular/daily users (such as vets) and domestic users who may only use one during the winter months. In your case, I think you can expect at least four years usage before you notice a possible reduction in heat retention. Provided the casings of your heatpads remain in perfect shape and condition, carry on using for another year or so.
 
Regards
Richard Armstead
Lenric C21 Ltd"

[Liz]

Ours are 5 years old and work pretty well here in the frozen north and couldn't find anything about replacing them in the paperwork - we have drawers full of instructions including stuff we no longer have!

Electric herat pad is fine to according to the instructions for several more winters!

[Gillian Harvey]

Not been on for a few days and sooooo nice to see our Lu keeping warm 

Bonnie's been enjoying the radiators the past few days as it's freezing cold here.

Yep, I've had the halogen heater on - many cats sprawled out in front of it of course! 

[maryas]

Not been on for a few days and sooooo nice to see our Lu keeping warm 

Bonnie's been enjoying the radiators the past few days as it's freezing cold here.

Mary

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I checked my snugglesafe last night and there is nothing on the sticker about needing replacing after a certain amount of time.

[bunglycat]

I put the snugglesafe in the outside house for any stray visitors now .
Mine have the Pet nap heat pads , soft and they plug in -they are all sleeping in them now as its quite cold and Autumny here now.

[Lottie (Team Svartalfheim's)]

Hmmm mine must be about 3 years old now. They never had a sticker on them saying about needing replacing though.  Would be good if they changed colour when they needed replacing so you knew. I find them fab for using with neonatal kittens (of course taking all the usual precautions).

I have just sent Snugglesafe an email, will let you know what they say when they reply.

[Mark]

The sticker on mine was tiny from memory. It says here 3 years but no explanation www.zooplus.co.uk/pictures/product/heatpadinstructions.pdf I suppose it wouldn't do any harm to ask why they say it.

As for Flactabeds - cats learn. Alice is well aware that it gets warm and sometimes chooses it over her infrared bed which is set at 44 degrees.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I will check when I get home but I know there is a sticker in the middle that tells you how long to heat it in the microwave but I'm pretty sure it says nothing about only lasting for 2 years.

[Gillian Harvey]

Oh, I meant to say, no, there isnt a sticker on mine that says about writing the date of first use, theres a sticker in the middle that just says approx microwaving guidelines, thats not to say there wasnt a sticker initially - I lost the instructions too! 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

The ones that reflect body heat require a cat to curl up on them in the first place though in order to get warm.  A heat pad is different as it is warm to start off with so attracts the cat.  Jaffa sits on his because it is warm.  He probably wouldn't bother if he had to sit on it for a while before it warmed up!

I dont' believe in waste, Mark, and am pretty sure mine doesn't say throw out after 2 years.  It seems a bit daft as it is in good condition and not leaking or anything, plus it isn't so hot that it would burn a cat.  They probably just want to make money out of people buying a new one every 2 years.

[Mark]

I've had mine for 5-6 years and it gets used every night.  I have no intention of binning it as it's working just fine 

I would be concerned about why they say it - just in case there is a H&S issue 

[Gillian Harvey]

I know what you mean Mark about the snugglesafe being so hard - but under a layer of vetbed its not too bad - and obviously Lucy didnt find it too uncomfortable LOL!    I think it will be fine in the kennel for the neighbour's cats though, as the kennel is lined with vetbed then stuffed full of hay - so I'm thinking that will give it a lot of padding - if I can ever get it away from Lu! 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I've had mine for 5-6 years and it gets used every night.  I have no intention of binning it as it's working just fine 

[Mark]

Blimey! is that right? do you think thats if its been used a lot though? Mine was probably only used once or twice.

I wondered that as ours had only been used a few times but binned it to be safe. Maybe you could contact them? - I assume it just becomes less effective rather that leaking or exploding, otherwise I'm sure they would say - they don't give an explanation. Does yours have a little sticker on that tells you to write in the date you first use it, then to replace after a certain time?

I have never got the idea with snugglesafe with it being rock hard - I can't imagine a cat being comfortable on one 

I am a big fan of Flectabed as they are a soft pad and last forever - really well-made too. The cushion inside has a sheet of special 'developed by NASA' refective material that reflects body heat. I found a cheaper version on eBay but it crinkles and isn't anywhere near as well made. I have felt underneath Alice when she is on hers and it gets quite warm. I was lucky and got my size 2 for £17 in a local feed store - they didn't have them the last time I was there. I have found them for £27. They are a great alternative to heat pads, although because they only reflect exisitng heat, they are no good for animals with hypothermia.

[Gillian Harvey]

Awww she looks comfy! Ella love a radiator!

Yep, anywhere there is heat, my Lu is right there 

I found my one recently and it had a sticker saying 'replace after 2 years' or something - so I binned it 

Blimey! is that right? do you think thats if its been used a lot though? Mine was probably only used once or twice.

[Mark]

I found my one recently and it had a sticker saying 'replace after 2 years' or something - so I binned it 

[Guest]

Awww she looks comfy! Ella love a radiator!

[Gillian Harvey]

Yay! I finally found my Snugglesafe heat disc - I brought one years ago, hardly used it, and put it somewhere. I was looking for it recently and in the end thought I must have got rid of it. Anyway, opened a drawer the other day, moved something  - and there it was! I wanted to use it in the outside kennel that I got for my neighbours cats, but first I heated it up in the micro to see how long the heat lasted - couldnt remember how long it needed in the micro, nor how long it would stay hot. So I tested it out at 12.30 today and stuck it under the vetbed in one of the cat tree beds. My little heat seeking Lucy discovered it soon after I'd put it in the bed and has been sat on it ever since ( she moved to come and have tea, but then went straight back!) - at one point she looked like she was sitting on a nest waiting for something to hatch LOL! She is still there now - and its still hot!



You may remember my Lu is renowned for 'heat hugging', its usually the recently boiled kettle in the kitchen, but any heat source will do - the table lamp for instance....



Or even the standard lamp.......