Heat mats are used to create hot spots and aid in the digestion of animals. The contact temperature of a mat is around 30°. It emits radiant heat that penetrates the animals' bodies and activates their metabolism. A cut-off switch at 50 ° disconnects the power to the mat in case of overheating. This cut-off switch is not as sophisticated as a thermostat, but it has been designed to reduce the risk of fire in case of improper use of the product.