Electric blankets are a popular wintertime accessory that many people enjoy. They are often used to keep warm during the cold season, but what about pets? Are electric blankets safe for dogs? We’re here to answer this question and provide tips on how you can use an electric blanket while caring for your pup!
What Is an Electric Blanket and How Does it Work?
An electric blanket is a thin covering that goes over your bed sheets and heats up. It’s typically controlled with an external switch, which allows you to determine the temperature of your environment as well as how long the blanket should remain on.
Electric blankets work by producing infrared rays that travel through the air and into your blankets. There, they’re absorbed by any objects in their path namely, you! As these waves bounce around inside the fibers of your clothes and bedding, they are converted into heat radiation. This radiant heat then warms up your body just like sunshine does.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Electric Blanket?
There are many perks to using an electric blanket! First of all, there’s no reason to worry about your pup walking all over the blanket and potentially hurting himself, as it’s designed to shut off automatically after a certain period of time. This helps reduce the risk of fire and prevents overheating (which can be fatal to both humans and animals).
Electric blankets also allow you to warm up multiple areas in your home at once, which is great for creating a comfortably cool environment year round. Finally, this type of blanket doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals such as mercury or lead, so it’s completely safe for pets and children alike.
What Are the Risks Associated With Electric Blankets?
Though there typically aren’t many risks involved with using an electric blanket, we should mention some precautions that you might want to take. First of all, your pet should never be allowed to sit, sleep or eat on top of an electric blanket. If your pup lies down, it’s important that he does not touch the heating elements underneath.
Additionally, you may want to consider moving your electric blanket away from its usual positions. It usually sits over your bed for easy access, but if your dog sleeps with you (or even spends a lot of time near where you sleep), his risk of exposure to dangerous electromagnetic radiation might increase if the blanket is left in the same place each night.
How Should I Use My Electric Blanket Around My Dog?
Keeping your dog safe during winter months can be as simple as following these tips:
Put Your Electric Blanket On/Off
Always take extra precautions to ensure that your pet is not near the blanket while it’s turned on. Aim to use electric blankets for a maximum of eight hours each day, and turn them off when you leave your home. Also be sure to keep your dog away from any heat sources around the house, such as fireplaces or space heaters, which could also pose a danger if left unattended.
Check Your Blanket
Remember that an electric blanket should never be used without a fitted sheet placed underneath it first. If there are any holes in this top layer or anywhere else in the blanket it’s best to replace it altogether.
Keep Your Bedroom Temperature Low
You want to make sure that your environment doesn’t get too hot while you’re sleeping with an electric blanket on. If you’re always too warm when using the blanket, consider turning down your air conditioning unit instead.
Keep Your Blanket Clean
During winter months, it’s best to use a fitted sheet made specifically for electric blankets rather than just any old sheets or comforters that you already own. This type of fabric is more durable and longer lasting; but even still, make sure to check underneath your blanket before you get in bed each night to make sure nothing has gotten caught in the heating elements.
Never Use an Extension Cord
Electricity can be extremely dangerous for humans and animals alike if exposed to it for long periods of time (or at all). We recommend plugging your electric blanket into an electrical socket that’s close to your bed, so it’s not necessary to use an extension cord. If you do choose to plug in your blanket further away from where you sleep, make sure that the cord is completely out of reach of pets and children.
You should also ensure that any other appliances are safe for use around pets before allowing them into your home. This includes making sure that all light bulbs and lamp shades are shatterproof and unbreakable , and keeping heavy objects on high shelves if there is a chance your dog could knock them over while exploring his surroundings .
How Do I Get Rid of an Old Electric Blanket?
If you’ve decided that it’s time to get rid of your old electric blanket, make sure you follow these steps:
Turn Off All Power : First and foremost, turn off all power sources before touching or moving any wires . It may be difficult to figure out how to shut off the power on some blankets; if this is the case with yours, we recommend calling a qualified electrician for help.
Disconnect Any Cord : Once the power has been safely turned off , go ahead and disconnect any cords. If you’re not sure how to do this, or there are multiple extensions involved, call a qualified electrician for help instead.
Remove Covers : Take off both the top layer of fabric (the fitted sheet) and the bottom layer (the top blanket).
Cut Out Wires : Next it’s time to cut out all wiring that has become loose over time. To do this safely, use wire clippers that have insulated handles . Once you’ve removed all of these wires, throw them away in an outdoor trash can so they can’t be accessed by children or animals.
Clean Up Dust: Finally, sweep or vacuum up any remaining dust or fibers using a soft-bristled brush , before throwing out the blanket in an outdoor trash can so no one can get to it.
Conclusion
Electric blankets are great for keeping your pup warm. It’s important to look at all the pros and cons before purchasing one, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it will be a good fit for your dog. You should also think about how long they typically sleep under their blanket while using it, as this may affect the cost of electricity used by the device over time, which is something to consider when budgeting.
Furthermore, there have been reports that some dogs could chew through electric wires in order to escape from their home if left alone on a heated pad all day. Make sure that your pet cannot get access to any electrical cords near where they lay down!