I know my ferrets are spoiled, because they have their own custom heating pad
. . . .
 
1. Make, buy or use an old throw pillow cover with a zipper closure.
 
2. Using all cotton fabric, sew a pillow to fit the cover.  Fill it with
enough whole, unprocessed barley to make a good, cushy beanbag type of
pillow, and sew securely shut.
 
3. Microwave the barley bag until comfortably warm (a minute or two for a
12"x12" pillow) but not too hot for the ferrets.  Tuck inside the zipper
cover, and let your ferrets enjoy!
 
Make sure the barley bag stays dry - the separate cover should be washable,
but the barley is not; it can mildew if it gets/stays damp.  Don't nuke the
cover - zippers can do nasty things to microwaves - and the barley bag needs
to be cotton because poly/poly blends tend to melt . . . .I have a few which
I use for my arthritis, and I made one for the woozles when they all got the
greenies last spring and needed extra warmth.  I didn't want to use a water
bottle or anything electric, so this was ideal - and they still enjoy
sleeping on it.  Dry Rice will also work as a filler, but it doesn't hold the
heat as long - barley is available at most feed stores.  I paid $7.00 for 50
pounds (that's a lot of barley warmers!)
 
Blessings to All
Carla & the Woozlemaniacs
[Posted in FML issue 1425]