Can I use a ceramic terrarium heater outside?

January 3, 2011 8:24 PM

I have a ceramic heater (Zoo med, 150 watts) that is sold for use in a reptile terrarium. I would like to use it to heat a spot outdoors on my patio for a neighborhood cat. The directions on the box say not to use the heater outside. Does anyone know why not? It gets to the mid 30s at night. I do have the appropriate fixture for the heater. Is there a valid reason to not use the ceramic heater outside?
posted by harrisb01 to Pets & Animals (11 answers total)

If I were you, I'd guess it was so that it wouldn't get wet, and if it wouldn't get wet where I was gonna put it, I'd do it. That's me.
posted by cmoj at 8:32 PM on January 3, 2011

yeah, it'll be a weatherproofing thing...
posted by russm at 8:40 PM on January 3, 2011

In your terrarium it might get moist, but it's unlikely to be sitting in a puddle of water.
posted by sbutler at 8:41 PM on January 3, 2011

It also sounds like a great way to light your patio on fire...
posted by schmod at 8:42 PM on January 3, 2011

Also, depending on the cat, they might not like the heat. My mom's cats are out in the garage all winter and she has a 120W light setup for each one. It can get pretty cold and one old tom stil won't sit under it (although he's always been a big boy).
posted by sbutler at 8:44 PM on January 3, 2011

Does it have an auto turn-off if it gets tipped over?

FWIW, mid 30's feels pretty chilly to us, but I'd wager a bundle the outdoor kitty is just peachy
posted by edgeways at 8:48 PM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]

Another guess is that it will run basically non-stop outside in the winter, whereas indoors it will go on and off according to the thermostat once the room warms up. Maybe it's not designed for continuous operation over long periods of time. There may be a risk of fire, if the unit overheats internally.
posted by PercussivePaul at 8:48 PM on January 3, 2011

Actually those heaters don't go on and off; they don't have a built-in thermostat. So continuous operation shouldn't be a problem. My bet's with weatherproofing too; those things get so hot you scorch yourself on them, and I bet a shower of cold rain might make one shatter.
posted by The otter lady at 9:02 PM on January 3, 2011 [1 favorite]

This seedling tray mat uses just 20 watts not enough to scorch the kitty but maybe take the edge off a cold night.
posted by hortense at 10:06 PM on January 3, 2011

Much better to provide a shelter - a big plastic storage bin with a hole cut in it - so the cat can get protection from the rain and wind. Protecting cats in winter is being well researched right now and is ALL over the Internet. Here or Google "outside shelter for feral cats".
posted by cda at 4:43 AM on January 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

I have a heated kitty pad -- stays about 10 degrees above ambient until the cat sits on it, at which point it warms up to 100 degrees. And safe to use outside.
posted by phliar at 3:17 PM on January 5, 2011