Heat Goldie by placing him in a clean microwave on a towel. Heat in 30 second intervals until desired warmth is reached. The heating time will vary with the type of microwave. For large animals, begin with 1 to 1 1/2 minutes of heating. Increase the heating time in 15 second increments up to a total heating time of 2 minutes. Do not over heat. Rotate the Goldie during the heating process. If you have a turntable microwave, make sure the animal is turning. It is a good idea to flip and shake the animal halfway through the heating cycle. Always test for hot spots and overall temperature before using. Kit n' Kaboodle Warm Whisker animals have been safety tested for children 3 years and above. Please consult your doctor if you or your child has any medical conditions, such as diabetes or neurological/circulatory problems before using. The heat retention varies somewhat between animals, depending upon the amount of grain inside Goldie should stay warm up to 50 minutes. Goldie is filled with buckwheat and lavender. Buckwheat is a hard seed and lasts longer and holds its moisture better than other grain. It is also harder to scorch in the microwave. Moist heat is the most therapeutic and the animals will have more moisture the first few heatings because the herbs are fresh. Surface moisture normally dissipates quickly. If the animal is too moist, try heating less time and don't forget to heat on a towel. After several heatings the moisture will decrease. Please do NOT: use in conventional oven; use on sensitive skin or use over heated or on an open wound.