Infra Red Heat Lamp;

[chanel5]

I bought an infra red heat lamp to give some comfort in the cold weather to the feral cats that sleep in my shed. Does anyone know if it is safe to run this light 24 hours a day? If not, what would be the maximum time it should be switched on? I would appreciate any advice.

[Old_Geezer]

No expert, but can't any unattended heater get knocked over and possibly set something ablaze ?

[woofgang]

is it a glass one or pottery? I use pottery lamps for my tortoises in spring and autumn and there are things you have to be very careful of. The actual lamp gets hot enough to set fire so you have to be sure that nothing can touch it and that it can’t be knocked over, also that liquids can’t drop onto the hot bulb or it will shatter. I run mine with a thermostat and sensor that monitors the area under the lamp and keeps it at a set temp, if you just run it without a temp monitor then whatever is underneath can get hot enough to melt or smoulder (experience) Personally in your situation, I would get an electric frost prevention greenhouse heater that can be fastened to a secure base and is thermostatically controlled. I would also plug it in with and RCD plug.

[chanel5]

Thanks, Old Geezer and Woofgang for your suggestions. The lamp has chains to suspend it from the ceiling, so knocking it over is not a problem. The light bulb is glass, with a metal shade, and as it would be suspended it would not be vulnerable to splashes. One of the local animal sanctuaries used to use heat lamps but I am very uneasy about it and think, as you suggest, it might be a fire risk. I think I will have a look at the greenhouse heater - and thanks for your suggestion about the RCD plug, which I had to read up on, before I understood it. After all this, I intend to ask my friendly local spark for advice.

[Mosaic]

What about a small oil-filled radiator? FIL, ex-fireman, reckons these are really safe compared to other heat sources.

[diddlydo]

I fail to understand why you're pandering to feral cats. If they really are feral they'll be accustomed to cold conditions.

[237SJ]

The question wasn`t "Why do you pander to feral cats" though was it? The question was "Does anyone know if it i safe to run this light 24 hours a day"? I have an infra red lamp. The instructions say that I shouldn`t let it run for more than approximately 20 minutes.

[Retrochic]

I've seen them used by farmers when lambing and they are on all night. Personally I would prefer a small oil filled radiator which I would feel is much safer. Do not put it on too high as the cats may overheat.
To be honest though our farm cats out in the barn manage in all weathers they cuddle up and are always lovely and warm when you find them -just make sure they have some old blankets to lay on. Cats do not like being too hot.

[237SJ]

"I have seen them used by farmers when lambing and they are on all night" Alternatively, stick the lambs in the plate warmer in the Rayburn. I have never seen the plate warmer used for anything else. At least it has it`s uses.

[mrs.chappie]

How nice of you to think of the feral cats like this. High 5 to you.

[Retrochic]

http://www.shearwell.co.uk/content/images/thumbs/0004757_infrared-heat-lamp.jpeg

[Retrochic]

Mrs chappie - the feral cats will probably appreciate some fleecy type blankets but may find the heat lamp too hot - just like our pampered indoor cats run for home when the temperature drops, outside cats avoid excessive heat. My farm cats are out in the winter and go in the hay barn and all snuggle up in a furry ball - believe me they are lovely and warm and very healthy

[Davemano]

I think you will find that infra red heat lamps are used in poultry rearing farms throughout the country, and have been for as long as I can remember. They are quite safe if used in accordance with the instructions.

[mrs.chappie]

I know Chic, and I agree - I converted our old coal bunker for a feral cat and she was fine in the winter, with old blankets and no extra heating.

My high 5 to the OP is because she cares enough to seek advice about it.

[Mosaic]

If feral cats aren't cared for they breed prolifically and spread disease into the domestic population, as well as scavenging aggressively round bins etc. One of the worst, uncared for, popuylations I've come across was in Jerusalem, where the feral cats are evil violent and numerous. So it's important to keep tabs on our feral cats, even have periods of rounding-up, vaccinating and neutering. Or, as some horrible people do, rounding up and converting into fur trim.

[murraymints]

what a nice person....agree a few snuggly blankets will be enough..with some water and a nibble or two ?

[RATTER15]

I've used heat lamps for years for various animals, as long as they are suspended at a hight so nothing catches on fire you can burn them 24/7 as I did. As for feral cats, they really don't need you to keep them warm, they will find somewhere to keep warm very easily.

[Retrochic]

My hesitation with these lamps are if the bulb shatters for any reason -often these lamps are hung above combustible material -straw or shavings and the heat from the bulb could start a fire.

[Jennykenny]

If you google 'flowerpot heaters' they show you how to make a heater with a couple of flowerpots and tea-lights. I have one in my sitting room and it really takes the chill off, and because of the weight of the pots, it would be very unlikely that the cats would knock it over.