I use them at home for my creepy crawlies, and have also used them at work for cold kitties. They are great, but you MUST prevent kitty from being able to touch the lamp and the shade- both get VERY hot. When I use ceramic heat lamps, the critter in question is always caged and therefore not able to touch the lamp.

Another suggestion is a full-spectrum basking bulb that uses the same type of lamp. I personally think kitty would benefit greatly from this. You may as well. Basking bulbs provide both light and heat, which may prevent her from getting SAD (seasonal affected disorder). Since cats originally came from the desert, it is no wonder that they like to bask in the sun. I am a firm believer in providing the most natural environment possible for all critters. Again, the bulb and the shade get VERY hot, so prevent kitty from touching them.

As a safety warning, be sure the lamp is rated for the wattage bulb or heat emitter you get. You wouldn't want a short and fire.

They make some pet mats/beds that heat up gently, but don't come on until the animal puts its weight on the bed. I would think that would be a better option for a cat.

I looked at them a couple years ago for my old kitty, but instead we ended up using a heated throw (designed for people) and a vacation timer. We removed the "on" trigger, so the timer can only turn off whatever is plugged into it. When she seems chilly, we position the "off" trigger about an hour or two down the line and manually turn the timer on (it has a switch for this). It works because I'm around to spoil her during the day, but about 2 hours is all she really seems to want or need. This has worked well for us and I don't have to worry about turning off the blanket or the bed being too warm for her.

I have one of those heated throws by Sunbeam. My cat has learned how to turn it on. I use the throw on cold days to help my arthritis. I will turn it off and set it down next to my recliner. When I come back, the cat is sitting on it and it is turned on. It has a push button to turn on and go from low-med-high. Usually it is set for med. Somehow that cat has learned to step on the switch to turn on the throw. This is not a one-time event, it happens all the time. I double check to be sure I didn't leave it on by accident. Is that amazing or what.

I used one of those heating lamps for 2 winters attached to my kitty's bed/perch (hubby made a little table to put her bed on just high enough that she could see out the french doors and be in the sunshine). However, I hated to leave it on 24/7, so I ended up getting a heated pet bed. It only heats up when kitty is on it, and it never gets too hot. She LOVES it. It's the only place she sleeps/lays anymore (well, except summertimes--I unplug it then, but the sun will over-warm her and she'll relocate elsewhere for the afternoons).