For Your Pet

FAQs

FOR YOUR PET

 

Can I place a Pet Therapy Gel Pack on my pet's bare skin?

NEVER put a hot or cold Therapy Gel Pack directly on the skin. ALWAYS use a protective barrier such as a coordinating Caldera Therapy Wrap. In the event that you do not have a wrap, use a towel or a cloth as a barrier to avoid heat or cold burns.

My pet accidentally ate some Therapy Gel from my gel pack, should I be worried?

Our gel is made of food grade, non-toxic, non-hazardous material, but is not designed to be ingested. Although first aid is generally not required, and gel ingestion is not thought to be a cause for concern, we do recommend you contact your veterinarian who is more familiar with your pet's medical history, and especially if your pet consumes the Pet Therapy Gel outer plastic cover, as this could potentially be harmful to your pet.

My Pet Therapy Gel Pack has been punctured can I fix it?

No, please discard your pack if it breaks.

How long should I freeze my Pet Therapy Gel Pack?

We recommend freezing your Pet Therapy Gel packs overnight. You can leave them in the freezer indefinitely.   

My microwave is not heating my Pet Therapy Gel Pack evenly, what should I do?

Even microwaves with the same power often heat differently, and sometimes unevenly.  We always recommend that you test the temperature before you remove it from the microwave, and if it seems to be unevenly heated, gently knead it to spread the heat.

How long will Pet Therapy Gel Pack stay hot or cold?

Our Pet Therapy Gel packs were designed to stay hot or cold and deliver a therapeutically effective temperature for a medically recommended time of 20 minutes.  If you plan to re-apply the product, be sure to take a 20-minute break between uses.  Some of our customers have told us they prefer to use the packs chilled in the refrigerator rather than the freezer.  Consult with your veterinary professional if you are unsure about what will work best for your pet.

If my Pet Therapy Gel Pack is too hot will it burn my pet?

Always test the Pet Therapy Gel pack temperature prior to application. The temperature should be warm to the touch, but not hot, and never painful. Heating recommendations provided by Caldera International, Inc. are guidelines and are based on testing in standard household microwaves.  Power output will vary in each microwave.  Uneven heating may occur, so be careful, the temperature may vary in different locations in/on your Pet Therapy Gel pack.  To be on the safe side, give it a gentle shake when it comes out of the microwave to help ensure heat is evenly distributed.

Can I overheat my Pet Therapy Gel Pack?

Overheating or prolonged application may cause injury, including burns.  Heating beyond the suggested time may damage or destroy your Pet Therapy Gel pack.  If you heat the Pet Therapy Gel pack beyond our recommended time, the Therapy Gel can get very hot and could burn you very quickly.  It is normal for Pet Therapy Gel packs to expand a little when heated for the recommended time.  If you accidentally heat your Pet Therapy Gel pack beyond the recommended time and see it inflating like a balloon, immediately turn off your microwave, wait for the Pet Therapy Gel pack to cool down, and then carefully dispose of your pack.  When in doubt or if your Pet Therapy Gel pack shows any signs of deforming, dispose of your pack – a Pet Therapy Gel pack that has been overheated should never be reused.  Our Pet Therapy Gel packs will explode like a popped balloon if heated for an excessive amount of time.

Can I place my Pet Therapy Gel Pack directly in the microwave from the freezer?

No, it is recommended that you bring the Pet Therapy Gel Pack to room temperature first since heating times are based on room temperature. If you will be frequently switching from one extreme to the other, it may be a good idea to have an extra Pet Therapy Gel Pack on hand when needed.

Can I leave my dog unattended while using a Pet Therapy Gel Pack?

NEVER leave your pet unattended when applying a Caldera Pet Therapy Gel Packs and coordinating Pet Therapy Wraps. They are intended to be used only while the pet is under supervision. 

The Therapy Gel Pack broke open and it is leaking, how do I clean it?

While the gel materials used are non-toxic and will not harm your furniture or carpet the food grad blue dye can stain.  If you need to clean the gel off your furniture or carpet, let it get dry and flaky and you should be able to vacuum it up. The gel material is also water-soluble.

Alternate Option

  1. Scrape off the excess gel pack liquid from the upholstery with a plastic spoon. Discard the gel and spoon in the trash.
  2. Mix four cups of cool water with one scoop of an oxygen cleaning powder until completely dissolved.
  3. Submerge a white cloth in the mixture and wring out the excess liquid. You want the cloth to be damp but not soggy.
  4. Blot the gel pack stain with the upholstery. Blot at the edge of the stain and move toward the middle. Repeat this process until you have removed all signs of the gel pack stain.
  5. Rinse the auto upholstery by patting with a clean cloth dampened with cool water. Allow the upholstery to air dry.

How often should I replace my Pet Therapy Gel Pack?

Our gel packs are very hard-wearing and retain their hot and cold capabilities long after you have recovered from your injury. They are designed to be used over and over!

How long should my Pet Therapy Gel Pack be placed in a freezer to become fully frozen?

It is our recommendation that Pet Therapy Gel Packs be kept in the freezer for at least 8 hours to be fully effective.

What is the best way to clean my Caldera Pet Bed?

It is our recommendation to wash your Pet Bed by hand with mild soap and water only. Machine washing can cause the internal batting to bunch up, making it difficult spread back out evenly.