In winter it is the heater, more than the cold, that hurts pets
Most cold-weather accidents happen in the warm spot, not in the cold one. This calculator takes the indoor temperature measured where your pet rests, compares it with the range you were given, and at the same time counts how many of the conditions that lead to contact burns from heaters apply in your home. The result is a count of items, not a verdict.
No published table of winter indoor temperatures by species or breed could be verified. Coat length, body fat, age and heart or airway disease change the answer completely, so this page offers no temperature and uses only the range you enter. The reading and the range are compared at one decimal. Current as of October 2026.
Heater settings and run times are not advised here. Contact burns build at temperatures that feel merely warm to a hand, given long enough contact, and fur hides them until days later. If you see reddened or peeling skin, or a matted patch where hair has come away, call right away. This tool is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently asked questions
No published table of winter indoor temperatures by species or breed could be verified. Naming a wrong one could get an animal hurt, so the range is yours to enter.
Not at all, but your pet has to be able to walk off them. A senior or poorly mobile pet cannot move away when it gets too hot, and that is how contact burns start.
Fur hides it, so lift the coat on the contact side daily. Reddened or peeling skin, or a matted patch where hair has come away, is a reason to call your veterinarian.