The Best Heat Lamps
Heat lamps are essential to keeping your feathered, furry, and scaled pets healthy and warm. You can use them to help chicks grow healthy and strong, maintain the perfect temperature for reptiles, and keep struggling newborn puppies or kittens from getting too cold. There are different styles to ensure you find the ideal option for any animal. The trick is choosing one.
What to Look For
Choosing the right heat lamp can make all the difference in your pet’s health and comfort. That’s why we recommend focusing primarily on your specific animal’s requirements. You may also want to look at the size and installation type of the ones you consider to ensure you get a good fit for your enclosure. For example, Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Lamp is available in two sizes and accommodates almost any type of heat bulb, making it a great all-purpose choice for reptile and chicken keepers. However, the open design may be dangerous if your pets can reach the light. In that case, you may want to consider the safely enclosed GtTech heat lamp stand instead. Continue reading below if you’d like to see more.
Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Lamp
Simple and reliable
The Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Lamp is a fantastic heat lamp fixture you can use with almost any heat bulb you prefer, including incandescent, florescent, and ceramic. A built-in swivel clamp makes it easy to attach to tank sides and stands, or you can set it on top of a screened lid. It’s also made of heavy-duty aluminum and available in two sizes, making it a sturdy, all-around versatile option to keep around in case a heating need arises.
Pros:
- Dimmer switch makes adjusting the heat easier
- Long-lasting and durable, especially for the price
- Versatile bulb compatibility makes it ideal for almost any animal
- Clamps to surfaces up to one inch thick
Cons:
- Takes a while to cool down before you can touch or move it
Mclanzoo Basking Heat Lamp
Many reptiles require extra UV light in addition to heat. That’s where the Mclanzoo basking heat lamp comes in. It provides your pet with a super warm spot they can sit in to regulate their temperature while soaking up the UVA they need to stay healthy. You can also choose from three power level options, ensuring you get one to match your needs and tank size. And for added convenience, they all fit standard heat lamp fixtures.
Pros:
- One bulb lasts a few months
- More affordable than many similar basking bulbs
- Heat evenly and reliably for added safety
- Works well for reptiles, birds, and other small animals
Cons:
- Not powerful enough for tanks over 40 gallons
Iootsea Aquarium Heat Lamps
Flexible versatility
If you have turtles, you know they have precise heating and light needs, which is why we recommend these aquarium heat lamps from Iootsea. Between the flexible neck, adjustable switch, sturdy clip, and concentrated UV basking bulb, you can count on them to help you create the ideal conditions for your shelled best friend. And if the included bulb isn’t quite what you’re looking for, you can switch it out for almost any other option.
Pros:
- Adjustable neck and switch allow you to customize heat and UV levels
- Two lamps included for multiple set-ups
- Supports healthy digestion and growth
- Helpful for supplementing UV light for indoor plants and other animals
Cons:
- No dome or grate to protect the surrounding area
GtTech Heat Lamp Stand
Maximize safety
Baby birds, puppies, and kittens are adorable. However, they haven’t yet learned that lamps and lights can lead to burns. So if you need a heating option for a few itty bitty fuzzy or furry friends, the GtTech heat lamp stand is your best bet. It uses an enclosed cage design that allows heat and light to pass through while the bars prevent the animals from burning their sensitive noses, paws, or claws.
Pros:
- Wide opening for quick bulb installation
- Clamps and a swivel make them easy to position
- Support any bulbs up to 300 watts
- The cage protects the bulb and your pet from accidents
Cons:
- Doesn’t work for basking bulbs or concentrated reptile heat
Simple Deluxe Heat Lamp Bulb and Fixture
Warmth and convenience
The Simple Deluxe heat lamp bulb and fixture set offer convenience and simplicity. It’s available in a couple of variations, including two complete sets, one complete set, and a set that includes a thermostat for even easier control and customization. Either way, you get a high-quality reflective dome fixture that you can clamp to almost any tank or stand, along with sturdy ceramic heat-emitting bulbs that can warm tanks and enclosures of pretty much any size.
Pros:
- All-purpose heat lamp for indoor and most outdoor uses
- Provides light-free heat for continuous day and night heating
- Easily controlled with a thermostat for injury prevention
- The bulb is interchangeable with any other common heat bulb
Cons:
- Overheating is a risk without a thermostat
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals require a heat lamp?
Many animals benefit from the addition of a heat lamp, and quite a few that need one to survive. In general, all reptiles need a minimum of a ceramic heat lamp. Many also need UV on top of the heat. In addition, if it gets chilly, you’ll need lamps for hedgehogs, chicks of any species, newborn puppies, kittens, and livestock.
How can I prevent burns and injuries while using a heat lamp?
The best way to prevent burns and injuries is to ensure there’s a barrier between your heat lamp and the animal. That may mean using a cage-style fixture, putting it over a grate or wire section, or simply keeping it well out of reach. If you need to handle the lamp for any reason, always turn it off and wait for it to cool down before you touch it.
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