What Are Safety Listings on Heated Pet Products and Why Are They Important?

When you buy a heated pet bed or water bowl, not only do you want your furry friend to be cozy and comfortable, you also want to know the product is trustworthy. That's why safety listings are so important. These certifications show a product has been tested to make sure it's safe for your pet and your home, and won't overheat or cause harm. (And remember: it's critical to make sure the products you get for your cat or dog don't just have safety-listed parts but are actually safety-listed themselves.)

Not all safety symbols mean the same thing. Knowing how to verify a legitimate safety listing can help you protect your pet and have peace of mind.

What's the Difference Between a MET and UL Safety Listing?

If a pet product is UL or MET safety tested, it's passed rigorous safety testing to comply with government and industry standards, ensuring it's safe for your pet and your home.

But what's the difference between UL and MET marks?

UL Solutions and MET Laboratories are both OSHA-certified NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories). NRTLs are private laboratories that OSHA has approved to test products and make sure they meet the safety and certification standards of the North American market.

In other words, both UL and MET labs are approved by OSHA to certify the safety of products. They both test to the same safety standards developed by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The only difference is the laboratory doing the testing.

Both UL and MET marks certify a product is safety tested and accepted by major retailers, states, cities, and countries. A MET mark also means the product gets two follow-up inspections a year. And most UL products have inspections on a quarterly basis. So both safety marks are excellent. One isn't necessarily better than the other.

How to Verify a Listing Is Legitimate

Unfortunately, products with counterfeit safety listings do exist. To protect yourself, your pet, and your home, only buy products from reputable sources like K&H Pet, check the products for certification marks and documentation, and verify the certification using the UL or MET database.

For UL marks:

• Visit the UL certification database.

• Enter a keyword, like the company name, model number, or UL Solutions file number on the product.

• Search the results until you find your product.

• View the certification information, which might include products or components.

For MET marks:

• Visit the MET (Eurofins) safety certification database.

• From the drop-down menu, choose if you are searching by listing number, applicant, or trademark/brand name.

• Then look through the results for your product.

  • For example, under "Listing Number," if you type in E112895, you'll find all the K&H Manufacturing LLC certified products, including names and model numbers.

Great MET Safety Tested Beds and Other Heated Products

All 120V electrical K&H Pet products are MET safety tested and certified. This can put your mind at ease when using K&H heated products.

Consider these K&H options if you're looking for safe, cozy, heated products for your furry best friend.

Indoor Heated Cat Bed

The K&H Thermo-Snuggle Cup Heated Cat Bed is thermostatically controlled so it warms to your pet's normal body temperature when your cat or dog snuggles on it. The heater is removable, so you can toss the bed in the washing machine if you need to clean it. This comfy bed has soft fleece walls to help your pet feel safe and secure while napping. It's like a comforting, warm hug.

Outdoor Heated Cat House

The K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House is a heated cat house shaped like a little home. It's weather-resistant and insulated and comes with two exits so cats have easy escape routes if predators come near. Set it up in a garage, barn, or on a porch so feral kitties that wander through your yard have a toasty, warm place to sleep. You can even use it in your house if there's a spot that's extra cold.

Outdoor Heated Pet Bed

The K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed is thermostatically controlled, so it automatically warms to your pet's normal body temperature when your pet lays on it. The bed is also waterproof, making it a great choice for garages, barns, sheds, and other sheltered areas where outdoor pets may spend time. The bed has a soft orthopedic foam base to make it extra comfy and a washable fleece cover for easy care. And don't worry if your pets are indoor-only — it makes a great indoor bed too.

Outdoor Heated Water Bowl

The K&H Thermal-Bowl Heated Outdoor Water Bowl will prevent water from freezing, even when temps are below zero. It's thermostatically controlled to turn on and off as needed and features an abrasion-resistant cord. This is the perfect solution if your dog needs to spend time outdoors in the winter or if you want to provide water for feral cats.

Heated Pad for Baby Chicks and Chickens

The K&H Thermo-Peep Heated Pad is a great choice for both baby chicks and chickens and can be used indoors or outdoors. It comes with a pre-drilled hole to mount it vertically or horizontally in your chicken coop, and it features peck-resistant construction. This pad only uses 25 watts of electricity and automatically warms to your chicks' body temperature when in use.

Always Read the Safety Instructions

Remember: even when purchasing MET-certified products, it's still important to read the instructions and follow all the safety warnings. Improperly using electrical products can still cause electrical shock or even fires.

For example, all safety-listed electrical products have a warning not to use the product with an extension cord. Or a heated pet bed may tell you not to pile blankets on top of it.

Safety warnings will answer questions like where and how to use a product and whether it needs close supervision or can stay plugged in 24/7.

Safety Listings Can Bring Peace of Mind

A UL- or MET-certified product has been rigorously tested to ensure it's safe for your home. If you're not sure about a certain product, check it against the UL or MET databases to verify the certificate is authentic. And when you purchase a certified K&H Pet product, you can rest assured that it meets all the important safety standards. You'll be free to focus on creating cozy memories with your pet, rather than worrying about safety.

Learn more about electrical safety in Your Pets & Electrical Safety, Are Heated Cat Beds Safe?, and Indoor Cat Comfort: Are Heated Beds Safe to Leave Plugged In?