Sounds great!!!
And yeah, a thermostat is an absolute MUST. Those heat mats can spike to temps as high as 120 degrees and can cause serious burns, neurological issues and even death when unregulated. It's really a shame that they are sold without a thermostat really.
But you're doing things right! Keep learning, keep asking questions, keep applying what you learn (but always cross reference multiple sources) and read, read, read. The more you know about your pet, the better you can care for your pet
Keep up the good work!!!![]()