I have a sm. doghouse for ferals. Would this still work with straw I use for insulation to wick water away?
63552
Hi. I would think so because the bottom is plastic with small divits to keep the crate in place. The top is a very soft, almost velveteen type material but seems to dry quickly.
63553
Since it is activated by the animal's body heat, there is no electrical connection. I would check with the manufacturer of the pad.
911770
I wouldn't combine a warming pad AND straw...I would be concerned about fire. If you are talking about the Extreme Weather Kitty Pad with fleece cover, I have one and it is not flexible at all. My cats like it but it is made to lay on a flat floor. Since I only have 1 cat using the Kitty Tube, I have stuffed straw in about 3/4 of it. My cat crawls in and makes a nest. Since the tube is so full, it really is quite warm for him. I check the straw every few days and add more (and cat nip too) as needed.
1048390
I have not used a straw tek straw with it, but I have used it with a straw (those bendy kind you buy in a pack at the grocery store).
150408
We placed the pad on a plastic container lid. The sterilyte storage container is upside down with a hole cut in the side for a door.The barn cat was toasty this morning in his little hut and it was zero degrees last night. The pad seems safe on the plastic. We have had no problems. Don't know about straw.
1557712
They use it when it's cold, windy, raining, etc. Also if it's in the shade and you have hay, it will probably be cool. I would put it in a place it can receive nice soft wind. Ferals do what they want, and will enjoy it when they need it, not when we expect them to use it.
273778
I am using the straw year round, will replace it with fresh straw in the late fall. My feral seems to still like nestling down in the straw of his home. I figure if he gets too warm he'll sleep in the chair next to it that I've provided!
2263125
I do not think a straw will work, but theZiplock pump will. It is cheap & has noBatteries. Works better with the handiVac bags than the Zoploc bags which I think are useless.
1212987
The feral I kept warm would not use a blanket- straw worked right away. Under the straw you can add the heated blanket or I used the reflective blanket material that keeps body heat in. I put the reflective material under the straw. I made the straw thick around the sides and the bottom a bit less. I kept extra straw on hand for rainy or snowy days to replace the wet. She loved it while she was with me.
1704175
I use it for two rabbits. I had to turn the run upside down and make a roof out of plywood. I did the to stop the rabbits from burrowing out.
2131430
I wouldn't. The outside is painted. I am unsure of the insulation construction but it is designed for cold liquids. If you're back packing the bladder style camelback and a tin camping kettle cup or pot would a be much better and lighter option than using this water bottle for those purposes.
817479
I use mine in my chicken run, in the portion that is underneath my coop, and out of the weather. It sits on bricks on bare earth. My only question, since it is a warming element, is could it be placed on a wooden floor if it's inside the henhouse. What kind of flooring are you planning on putting it on? It does not warm up very much, enough to heat water to keep it from freezing. If you are planning on putting it on a wooden floor, I would contact the manufacturer and ask. Personally, I'm hesitant to put any warming element, including a heat lamp, anywhere that would be sitting on wood or straw.
2085737
It will work, but does have a strong smell so you will want to let it stand out in the weather for quite a while to let animals get used to it. And the color does rub off a bit, so you will have black ink on your hands by the time you are done setting it up. I expect the colors will bleed into each other so I would uses as sides but not a roof
150090
I suppose but I honestly wouldn't bother. You could get polar fleece cheaper. As long as straw is clean and dry it should be warm enough.
1569600
Mine is facing East to avoid most rain and snow; however, I think a small piece of fabric or plastic could be taped over the door. I checked mine after this week's snow and there was nothing inside the shelter. The straw was still dry. I could see where someone had been sleeping way in the back and they were definetly dry! Mine is also on the porch right next to the house.
1173312
The straw acts as an air flow to allow the water to flow more freely out the holes in the face. It will work with out a straw but it will slow the flow down with no clear path for the air to the top of the inverted bottle. I have used it with a piece of flexible tubing so I could compact it for backpacking. No holes in the straw just the two ends.
1820558
Agree with Jonathan. It is the "straw". Not sure how you would secure the hose other than with duct tape, but it would probably work. The product is made, however, for direct use rather than as a filter/purifier within a more complex system.
1212985
Hello Lisa. That would depend on where you are located and how cold it actually gets. Also if you have an electrical source available for the pad/unit. The shape of the Kitty Tube is uniquely designed in a way to keep the warmth of the kitty centered with its rounded frame. In sub-freezing temperatures I would suggest the pad for added protection. I live in Florida. We don't get snow, but we do get temps below freezing, and use just the feral option with straw. With an ample amount of straw, your kitties should stay pretty warm due to the fact that the Kitty Tube is also insulated. If I had snow, I would opt for the heating pad just to have that added measure. I hope that helps. =^..^= Hello Lisa. That would depend on where you are located and how cold it actually gets. Also if you have an electrical source available for the pad/unit. The shape of the Kitty Tube is uniquely designed in a way to keep the warmth of the kitty centered with its rounded frame. In sub-freezing temperatures I would suggest the pad for added protection. I live in Florida. We don't get snow, but we do get temps below freezing, and use just the feral option with straw. With an ample amount of straw, your kitties should stay pretty warm due to the fact that the Kitty Tube is also insulated. If I had... » Read More Hello Lisa. That would depend on where you are located and how cold it actually gets. Also if you have an electrical source available for the pad/unit. The shape of the Kitty Tube is uniquely designed in a way to keep the warmth of the kitty centered with its rounded frame. In sub-freezing temperatures I would suggest the pad for added protection. I live in Florida. We don't get snow, but we do get temps below freezing, and use just the feral option with straw. With an ample amount of straw, your kitties should stay pretty warm due to the fact that the Kitty Tube is also insulated. If I had snow, I would opt for the heating pad just to have that added measure. I hope that helps. =^..^= « Show Less