How To Keep Outdoor Cats Warm In Winter
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Contrary to popular belief, a warm fur coat does not keep you (nor a cat) warm all through the wintertime. While cats are normally independent, they do need our help to get them through the cold of winter.
Here's what to keep in mind so you can keep your favorite feline warm all thru the cold winter months --
Give Food Daily
Outside cats need regular feeding on a daily basis. This is necessary for two very important reasons. The first reason is that well-fed cats are better hunters. Yes, yes...it sounds counter-productive, but in reality, a well-fed cat hunts better. A cat is only successful 2-3 times per 10 times that it hunts. (This is true whether you're talking about domestic cats or their larger cousins.) Cats need food on a daily basis so they can be strong enough to hunt.
Not all cats have a strong urge or desire to hunt; let alone eat what they hunt and kill. Cats have different personalities, just like us humans do. Over the years, I've seen my own cats differing personalities - some were great mousers, some were great bird hunters, and some didn't really care to do much more than look outside the windows and be amused.
There are other factors you should keep in mind about daily feeding. Be aware of the fact that mice (and other rodents) can have: disease(s), parasites, worms and other things that are not beneficial to cats and/or humans. This fact alone is a major reason why I do regular, daily feeding of my outside cats. I certainly don't want my cats getting sick because they ate a mouse with a disease or parasites!
Another reason a cat needs regular, daily feeding (and the extra calories the cat gets from the food) is because it takes more energy to keep warm and maintain their body temperature during those cold winter months. Speaking of "warm" - keep in mind dry cat food doesn't freeze. It's easier to feed dry cat food because it doesn't dry out, doesn't freeze, and most of the time, most cats will tolerate eating it.
Gimme Shelter
The next way to keep your outside cat warm in winter is to have a safe place for the cat to sleep. A cat needs shelter during the long, cold winter nights - just big enough for a cat (or two), but not for a dog, raccoon, possum, skunk, or other outside creatures. Personally, I have a couple of different places set up for my outside cats.
In one spot, I have an outside "closet." (Actually this is where I've got my washer & dryer.) There's a small cat door for them to go in and out. The "closet" provides a good wind-break. Just cutting down the amount of wind (or completely eliminating the wind) makes a big difference in temperature and comfort of the cats.
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It Doesn't Have To Be A Palace
My other shelter is an "igloo" type of shelter. O.K., it's really called a "dogloo," but I'm a cat person...what can I say? Anyway, the igloo is not very large, it's insulated (warmer in winter & cooler in summer) and has a small opening. I've placed a sleeping bag inside. That way, the cats have a warm, soft something to snuggle into, plus the sleeping bag itself is insulated for winter weather.
Where you place the "igloo" is important. I've set mine up in our car port - the car port itself provides some wind break. My car port has walls on all three sides. Even on the coldest of winter days, I've found it can be at least 5 degrees warmer just being in the car port. I haven't measured the temperature in my outside cat "closet," but I'm sure the difference in temps are similar because it's enclosed on all 4 walls (with only one door for me & the cats to get in and out).
Also, remember to set the outside "igloo" or cat shelter up a bit, off of the ground. Or at least put the igloo on a wood pallet or some other material. Not only do cats prefer to be up off the ground, it you set the shelter off the ground, it won't leech the cold from the ground (or from the cement if you set things up in your car port or garage).
- Oil-Filled Radiator Heaters
Several different types of oil-filled radiator heaters in different price ranges. - Insulated Shelters
"Dogloo" and other types of Dog Homes that can be used for cats. - Heated Water Bowls
Don't Forget These
Another option (depending upon your budget) is having one of those enclosed oil-filled radiator heaters in your cat "closet." Since they're fully enclosed, you don't run any risk of fires, and the cats enjoy the extra heat. They usually have a couple of buttons so you can regulate the amount of heat generated. The units are normally set up to turn on and off when a particular set temperature is reached. They usually cost under $100, and last for many years. Most home improvement stores (like Lowe's) carry them.
Lastly, put out fresh water every day. However, you need to be aware of how cold it's going to get overnight because water does freeze! (I'm ashamed to say how many mornings I've found frozen water in the bowls...although, I'm getting better at remembering).
Try and place the water where it won't freeze, or invest in a heated bowl. If, for bugetary reasons, you can't see your way clear to buy a heated bowl, then you need to put out fresh, clean water in the same place and at the same time. The cats will learn your schedule an dwill come to drink the water at those times. Cats do like having routines.
All, or most of the above said and done, you should have a warm, comfy and happier cat during the winter.
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Comments
You're certainly welcome, Richard. You have my condolences on the passing of one of your cats last year. No matter whether they are inside or outside cats, whether they crave attention or are aloof, it still hurts when a beloved companion makes their transition.
Buying a heated pad is a great idea! You might want to check & see how much noise it makes. What I mean by that is when the cat steps on it, does it make alot of noise? Some cats (not all) do NOT like something that makes noise & therefore will NOT sleep on it...no matter how warm it'll keep them.
I made this mistake when I bought what I thought was a great item for my lovelies outside. It's a fake sheepskin pad with a mylar-type of material (you know, those space blankets). It reflects the heat of the cat back & keeps them warm when they're lying on it. Well, the very first time Oro (my outside Alpha male cat) tried it out...it made too much noise. It crinkled so loudly (for Oro) he got startled & ran off.
My solution was to take it inside. Luckily for me, my inside cats love it.
Thanks for stopping by & reading my posting.
Jean, thank you for this very wise and compassionate hub! I could feel, that you are a very good person. Thank you, again.
Solarshingles,
Thank you for your kind words. I adore animals and I guess it's obvious from my writing.
Since I've visited (& became a fan) of your hubs, I can say the same about you...that you are a very good person. Anyone who's as committed to walking more softly on our Mother Earth as you are, is a wonderful person in my estimation.
I have 3- 4 cats that wondered to my yard, now that we are coming into winter I am worried they will freeze, there is a dog house that was left here and one of them goes in there, but I worry about the other 2 they are about a year or older and mom was around but I don't know where she went, they want in the house so bad but I have 3 of my own and can't let them in. There is also a play house that was left here, which I put a couple blankets in for them and leave the door open just enough for them to get in, I worry that they won't go in and stay in on those REALLY cold night, right now they sleep under our back deck. Any ideas?
Thank you,
I have learned on my tight buget that I can not buy the heaters but since my dog sleeps on my back porch many of the strays have gone in there to. But for the cat that get sick and have to be kept seperated from the population my mother had me build a large enclosure with a large house attched to it the enclosure alone is 8foot long by 5foot wide by 4foot high and while they are in there they get the medicine given to me by the vet food all the time and they have stuff to climb on and nice beds to sleep on in the house then when they are better they get put back with the stray population who get feed twice a day by me and during the winter warm water 3 times a day in their large water bowl.
Stevie,
I understand your dilemma of having inside cats & but also wanting to take care of the outside cats that found your back yard. It's a hard choice to make, no matter how you look at the situation. Please know that whatever you choose, the cats will be getting good care...you seem to have their best interests at heart.
Knowing the cats can get into the dog house & play house is good. Also, leaving blankets in the playhouse is great -- it gives the cats something to curl up inside and will be a good wind break so they'll keep warm. Please be aware that no matter what you or I do, a cat will do what a cat will do. As I'm sure you know, cats are VERY independent. Luckily for us both, this usually means a cat will seek to be as comfortable as possible. However, this also means that if it's warmer underneath your back deck, then that's where they'll go.
As long as you provide some good choices, the cats will go where they are most comfortable & warm. I'd leave the blankets in both the dog house & play house. That way, there's a good choice of warm spots to sleep away the cold nights. It also gives choices in case there are personalty clashes between the cats...that way no one cat is left out in the cold.
Hope this helps.
CherokeeQueen,
Sounds like you have a great system for taking care of your furry friends! You might be on a tight budget, but you've got something better -- your creativity. Your Mom & you have created a wonderful way to take care of injured/sick cats with the enclosure you built.
Thank heavens for people like yourself, who are so caring about animals...especially the strays & sick/injured ones. Many blessings to you and your family.
Hello Jean,
I have just invited a beautiful peach and white stray cat that I have named Gracie up on my second level porch. She has accepted my invitation and since she seems to like it there I have gone to great lengths to keep her warm. We have pulled together a big box, cut a hole for a door, added some old towels and hope that she is warm when the temp. drops to 22 degrees. Brrrr. Since we are on a metal porch I keep a sample carpet under the box and I even cut up an old windshield sun cover to try and keep the heat in the box. She seems to be very happy there. But I noticed on wet days that I have to wash and dry the towels since they get very damp. It is good to check that out.
My question is what can I place on the walls inside the box to keep it warmer with the exception of styrofoam since it MAY be toxic to her. I know some outdoor houses are lined with styrofoam but this is a very small space. Have any ideas? If not, I just may have to break down and buy one of those "cat"igloos that you mentioned.
PS: Just a little note for those who have new visitors during the winter months. I also mix Gracie's hard food with some soft food in the mornings and warm it up as well as warming up her water. (making sure the food or the water is not TOO hot) She loves the warm water. We will be visiting the vet soon for shots and the most important thing...spaying or neurting. TNR...(trap, neuter and return)
has any one used hay to keep the cats warm.I use it under my porch all sides closed but a space for cats
Hey Vmontgom,
Good for you in taking such good care of Gracie! I can understand your concern about those towels getting damp/wet and the possibility of the styrofoam being toxic to cats. Other than getting the "cat"igloos, here are some thoughts on the subject...(although, I'm certainly NOT an expert when it comes to insulation!).
You might want to go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot store and ask the helpful & knowledgable folks there about insulating an outside shelter for Gracie. I know that the product called "Tyvek" is used for insulating human houses and it might just be usable for a shelter for Gracie (yes, it's the same company that makes those business envelopes we've all seen). The nice thing about Tyvek is that it is a moisture barrier that prevents moisture from entering our homes.
I do know that a box, whether it's cardboard or some other fiber, is not the best for outside use. It's a breathable but porous material which is why it allows and absorbs the wet weather into the box and gets those towels so damp. Bottom line - you need material that not only keeps the wind out, but also has some moisture barrier that won't allow any moisture into Gracie's shelter so she can keep warm AND dry.
I hope these ideas help you and Gracie thru this winter & many more winters to come. Oh, and before I forget - GREAT idea about providing daily WARM water during the Fall & Winter...and, many Kudos for making sure Gracie gets her shots & spaying her!
Linda,
Yes, my neighbors have tried using hay to keep their outside cat warm. Since I only saw it being used for only a couple of days, I can't really say one way or the other whether or not it was good or not in keeping their cat warm. Since hay traps air and you're using it in an enclosed space, I'd think it would provide some good insulation...it all depends on how tightly packed the hay is in the first place.
Several Earth-friendly builders use hay for insulation...i.e., "Hay Bale housing"...so why not use it for keeping cats warm in winter? Sounds good to me. The only concern I'd have is making sure that the hay under your porch doesn't get soiled - like having it used as a litter box. You'd have to make sure it was clean, otherwise, it'd lose any insulating properties...besides, it'd start to smell bad.
I made several cat houses by simply getting boxes of the right size, duck taping those Styrofoam panels to the bottom, top sides, front and back (door cut out of course) wrapping the whole thing in several layers of foil bubble wrap insulation, and then sealing the whole mess in a heavy duty black plastic trash bag, duck taping a plastic panel cut from an old shower curtain liner to the door.
I got a couple of those cheap fleece "cat beds" for like 5 bucks a piece " at the local Walgreens and change them out when they get wet (wet bedding is death to your cat) . The bedding needs to be checked and replaced when wet.
Don't know how comfortable the cats are, but they've been using them for 2 years now.
tvnewsbadge,
Good for you -- those cat houses sound like they are well insulated, and of course, the greatest test of all was passed when you stated they got the cat "seal" of approval (with the cats using them for the past 2 years). I've no doubt your cats appreciate all you've done for them & are nice and comfy in their winterized shelters.
Hi, Jean. Great site! Very helpful. We have an older tuxedo cat (whom we've named Felix) who found his way to our door (apparently, according to our neighbor, he's been wandering around here for years). He was clearly once owned by someone since he's been neutered, and he delights in not only our company but our dog's, as well. I tried to introduce him into our household (after taking him to the vet and having him checked out and vaccinated--thankfully he's FIV and FeLV negative), but our indoor cat wanted NO part of this idea. Nor, it seems does Felix. I've taken to letting him indoors when our cat is down in the basement--the happy hunting ground, as we call it--so he can have some affection time, but after a brief while he wants back outside. My question is we've made an enclosure for Felix out of a large TV box, insulated it with foam panels, plus it's wrapped with an old rug, several blankets, and waterproofed and windproofed with a large tarp. Inside (apart from those foam panels) he has a large foam bed covered with a couple of fleece blankets plus I've lined the sides of the box with a couple of old fleece jackets. But I still worry that this won't be sufficient to ward off the cold and wind of our upstate New York winter. Unfortunately we have no garage, no car port, no shed, or any other enclosed or even semi-enclosed area to put the box in, so it's just out on our front porch, up against the house but otherwise exposed to the elements--other than a roof to keep off the majority of the rain and snow. Is there anything else I can do to provide additional warmth? Thanks so much for your help!!
Maisie,
Thanks for your kind words about my Hub. It sounds like Felix has found himself wonderful humans to take care of him.
Unfortunately, cats (whether originally feral, or feral by circumstances) tend to get uneasy with being indoors for any great length of time... or at least, that's been my experience over the years. For example -- Oro, my 6 yr.old, all black male cat (with gold eyes) will occasionally come inside, but will not stay more than a short while before wanting to go outside again...even when it's down in the low 20's at night.
As for what else you might do on those extemely cold Upstate NY winter nights -- here's some thoughts -- for additional warmth, you might look into buying a sleeping bag that's rated for a very cold temp. Most sleeping bags these days have ratings (for example: down to 30 degrees, down to 0 degrees, down to -10 degrees, etc...). I can't remember just how cold it gets where you live, but the sleeping bags I've seen that are good down to -10 or -20 degrees are still mostly affordable (depending upon your budget dollars). If you place the sleeping bag in Felix's enclosure where he can get into the sleeping bag & curl up (without suffocating himself), the sleeping bag should help to keep him warm.
The only other thing I can think of is perhaps you know (or can check with your neighbors, friends, etc.) and find a local handyman to make Felix a shed or semi-enclosed area to put Felix's enclosure into.
Hi, again, Jean--and, wow, thanks for such a fast reply! I have a very limited budget, unfortunately, but I'll check around for a used sleeping bag. Also, I saw another recommendation to use a solar pool cover (foil side down to reflect the heat back), though I don't know how effective that would be if wrapped on the outside of a box, especially in this circumstance when Felix's body heat would have to pass through half-inch thick cardboard covered with inch-and-a-half foam-core insulated board before it reached that solar cover. (Or is my logic illogical??) At any rate, we had initally created his shelter out of the large cardboard box thinking that it would just be temporary and he'd soon be living indoors. Since that clearly is NOT going to be the case, my next question for you is what's the best material to construct a more permanent abode for Felix? Would half-inch plywood faced with the foam-core board provide decent insulating properties? Or is there something better we could use (keeping in mind the budgetary restraints)? Thanks again!!
Maisie,
Sorry to hear about your limited budget...the good news is you still have choices to help keep Felix warm. Good idea of yours - to check on a good, used sleeping bag. Don't think the solar pool cover will work, but I've never tried it out, so I don't know for sure if it will or will not work in reality.
Another idea for keeping Felix warm - (besides the good, used sleeping bag) is you might consider the fake sheepskin pads that have a mylar insert that reflects body heat back to the cat. The big downside to this product (as I found out the hard way)...is that some feral cats don't like the noise it makes. When the cat steps on the pad, it makes a crinkly sound. Some cats don't mind this noise, and some cats DO mind the noise. You won't know until it happens whether or not Felix will refuse to use it. My Oro bolted when he stepped on it and refused to go near it again...luckily for me, my inside kitties love using it so it wasn't a total waste of my money.
As far as the best material for a more permanent abode for Felix - yes, I'd say the 1/2 inch plywood faced with foam-core board would be good...certainly much better than cardboard. You might also look into some Tyvek insulating board (instead of foam-core)...see my comment above to Vmontgom. The folks at Lowe's & Home Depot could tell you better than I could which insulating material is the best...either Tyvek, foam-core or something else I don't know about...also they could certainly tell you how to go about getting a very good insulated shelter for Felix built on a very limited budget.
Good luck -- let me know how it goes. And, you are certainly welcome, hope all my comments help keep Felix warmer in the winter.
Hi, we have a cat that has adopted us and we love her but it's not possible to have her inside and I am so worried about her outside in the cold. She comes to our back door (deck) not covered. I tried to move her to the front porch (covered) more cozy, but she just got scared and ran off. I'm not sure how to get her to "move" to the front please help...
Thanks
Desiree,
I don't know the details on how you tried to "move" her and how she got scared & ran off...but each cat does have a different tolerance level for change -- with very few cats liking change at all. Please check out my Hub (if you haven't already done so) & the great comments from the folks who've read my hub (& my comments back to them)...you might want to consider the following to help you "move" your cat from the back door to the front porch --
Most cats (both inside & outside) tend to respond well to food. You might want to put food and water out for her in BOTH the back door area AND the front porch. If possible, see when she comes to the more desired location (front porch). Note the time of day. Then slowly start putting out less food in the back door area and more food on the front porch area. Eventually, over quite a number of days, this will encourage her (via food motivation) to "move herself" from one area to the other area. Then when she's eating at the front porch for a couple of days, stop feeding her at the back door & only feed her at the front porch.
Hope this helps you.
I have a feral cat that I have set up an shelter with a wooden box over a insulated cat box. It took a while for it to use it. Sometime ago a friend went to get the cat and of course it ran off. Although it comes every day for food, I don't think it is using the shelter. Is there any where to get it to use the shelter again? This is a young cat
Donna,
All I can tell you is the good "news" is that you've got a young cat...which means your cat is more open to learning things and will most likely use the shelter again. It just might take it some time. In working with feral cats, one of the best tools to have is lots of patience. It takes time for a feral cat to see (& believe) that what's happening IS for the best.
Most cats will choose to be comfortable, warm & dry - so if the shelter is the best choice, it'll use the shelter. (FYI - Many times, I've thought my outside cats weren't using the available shelter, but found out after looking more closely, that they WERE using it...I just hadn't been looking at the right time to see them entering/leaving the shelter.)
Just be aware that you have to be patient and loving. Over time, your cat will see what's best for it & choose what's best. Just keep on putting out food, fresh water & good shelter...the cat WILL do the rest. Also, remember to move slowly when around your feral cat - fast movements tend to scare them.
Dear Jean,
Apparently I have been doing everything wrong to keep my strays warm in winter. They have cardboard boxes that sit on the concrete, but have lots of pillows and towels in them to snuggle into. The tops of the boxes are open. They are against the house in back under a covered patio. However, the patio acts as a wind tunnel and the cats really have to hunker down into the box to get warm. I heard something today about using Christmas lights in the boxes to keep the cats warm. Have you heard of this? Do I cover the lights with a sheet or pillowcase? Can they catch fire? I am going to get some carpeting to put under the cardboard boxes and put in the old sleeping bag that I have, but I cannot afford to buy wood or foam core. Normally, Tucson does not get cold too often, but the weather report predicts snow this evening. I need something that I can do fast, that will keep the cats warm, and that will be safe for them. I have about 4 strays that come to be fed and watered twice a day. Oh, lastly, should I be taping the boxes shut completely and cutting a hole in the side for them to get in and out of the box, or should I leave the top open?
Thank you!
Cindy
Cindy,
I'd be very wary of using Christmas lights in your boxes to keep your cats warm. Some points that worry me are: 1.) no way to regulate the heat from the lights; 2.) VERY high probability for catching fire; 3.) possibility for burning the cats from the unregulated heat from the lights...etc., etc., etc.
I'd tape the boxes shut & cut a hole in the side for them to get in & out of the box - this will help keep them warm & reduce the "wind tunnel" effect. Placing a sleeping bag will DEFINITELY help LOTS to keep them warm; and putting some carpeting under the cardboard boxes will also reduce the cold from the concrete seeping into the boxes & up into the sleeping cats.
You've got the right ideas (other than the Christmas lights) for keeping your cats warm in a hurry. Over time you can then make some more improvements as your budget allows. Truly, your heart is in the right place & you've taken steps to take care of the strays that came to you...you really haven't done "everything" wrong at all! You care (which is great), you're feeding & giving fresh water (which is very important), you are interested in improving the shelter you're providing (which is critical in winter)...I'd say you're definitely doing lots of things right.
I just came across this site while doing research about how to keep cats warm in the winter. I live in upstate NY in an extremely windy area and have a neighbor who either abandoned her cats or simply leaves them out at night... she is of the mind that pets can take care of themselves. I am beside myself trying to figure out what to do. For a week now, her two cats have come to my home in the middle of the night (I know because my indoor cat howls when they come to the door). I have begin feeding them, and one of the cats even comes inside (when my own cat is kept upstairs). The cat who comes inside is affectionate but also turns on you and bites and scratches, particularly when she hears my cat at the door. He comes in willingly, but after about 20 minutes wants out again. The other cat will come up to the house, but won't come inside.
With the temps dropping here, I've been doing a lot of research on how to create a suitable shelter for these poor cats. I have read the postings on this page with great interest but do have a few questions, as the info here seems to conflict with info I have read elsewhere.
First, I have read that STRAW is the best bedding for cats...several sources indicate this is true. Straw and hay are not the same thing (or so these sites suggest)... I am not sure what the difference is. Does anyone know?
Second, many sites indicate that cloth bedding, blankets, towels, etc are the WORST for cats since they draw away body heat and can be deadly to cats if they get wet (not only don't provide warmth but can also get moldy and mildewy). Is this true?? I can see why straw would be a good option, but think a towel might be more attractive to a cat.... but I would hate to use that if it isn't good for the cat.
I have also found conflicting info about whether raised housing is better or worse. Certainly, keeping the housing away from water and flooding is important, but if you put it on top of a pallet , doesn't that allow cold air to circulate underneath and make it colder? I am not sure if the ground or air is colder, but I am assuming the air is.
Lastly, I would ideally like to buy or build housing that will also be good for summer shelter since the summers here are as hot and humid as the winters are as cold and windy. Any suggestions? Also, since these cats are not truly feral and willingly come up to my house, can I put the shelter behind my house, or should it really be in the woods?
I live on a military installation, and we have no animal control and there really is no way to report this family for neglect (also not everyone sees it as neglect... they think they're outdoor cats). There are rules about providing adequate outdoor shelter for pets, but getting something like that enforced here is like pulling teeth.
I would very much like to take these cats to the no kill shelter a couple of towns over, but my husband tells me it is wrong and I really have no way to do this because one cat won't come close, and the other can be aggressive.
My heart is breaking and I want to help these little guys, so any advice would be much appreciated. many thanks!
Katyavp,
Good for you for stepping up & taking care of your neighbor's cats. She doesn't have all the information/education she needs to realize leaving domestic cats outside on those Upstate NY winter nights can be lethal.
As for the info on this site - most of my info comes not only from my personal experience, but from many vets I've known personally, as well as many years of research. I'm NOT saying I'm an expert...but just offering what I know works for me.
Straw - yes, straw does work well to insulate. See my above comments about it's insulating properties (i.e., straw bale housing). Can't really say what the difference is between straw & hay. For me, the major point is this - while straw bedding might be good for making a bed...you still need to have a proper shelter set up to stop the wind and weather elements from harming your cats. This involves walls, insulating material, etc., etc., etc.
Cloth bedding, blankets, and so on - are only going to draw away body heat if the are WET...NOT when they are dry. The challenge is to keep them DRY. The cloth or blanket in and of themselves are not the worst for cats.
The point I'm trying to make here is this - my information doesn't really conflict with what you've read (although it's a bit hard to explain things when I don't know exactly what you've read). The bottom line is this - straw bedding is good, but you need more than just a bed for the cat to sleep in. You also need a good shelter (with walls, ceiling, floor) that surrounds some very good bedding, etc. (as I've stated in my original hub & all comments).
Personally, I'd put the shelter for the cats behind your house & not in the woods for a couple of reasons. Mainly because 1.) it'd be easier to give them food & water on a regular basis and 2.) they are not really feral cats, but are somewhat used to human contact.
Jean,
Thanks for you response ragarding getting my young feral cat to use shelter. The weather has turn very cold and snowy and I still don't see it using the shelter. I was just wandering....there had beem a possum in the yard recently going for the cat food at night. I have since removed the food after dark. Would this been keeping the cat from using the shelter, since the food was set up next to the shelter. I really don't want to move the shelter since it is under trees for protection, but not next to the house becasue I have a dog and didn't want it to be disturbed every time the dog was in the yard. I just don't know if the possum is keeping it from using the shleter. The cat recently is still hidung under the deck...where I can't put the shelter becase there isn't any room?
Am I over thinking this ...and just take your advice that the cat will eventually use the shelter provided?
Thanks again for your advice.
Donna,
Since I live way out in the country & have over 10 acres, I obviously see LOTS of various critters on my land. To say the least, Yes, possums (& racoons for that matter) DO eat cat food. Basically, the possum & racoon will eat whatever's available & cat food is no exception...they too need to eat enough food to help them keep warm in the winter.
To answer your question -- Yes, the possum could definitely be keeping your young feral cat from using the shelter. While possum's don't have good eyesight, they do know how to defend & protect themselves & your young feral cat would certainly not want to get into a tussel with either a possum or a racoon if it could avoid a fight (kinda like the principle of "run away so you can fight another day"). Most cats, if given a choice, will pick their fights & not fight unless they have to (a good example would be a Momma cat defending her kittens).
Anyway, I agree with you about the location of where you've placed the shelter. The trees do offer more protection from the weather & being farther from the dog is also very important. Other than removing the food after dark (so the possum can't eat it), you might want to consider placing the food a little distancee from the shelter...then the possum might not associate the food & shelter together. (Since I'm NOT really very familiar with possums, I can't say for certain if this will or won't work, but it is worth a try.)
I certainly hope your young feral cat starts using the shelter sooner rather than later. Oh, and you are most certainly welcome for your kind words.
Hi Jean,
I'm glad to find something like this because I have a few questions.
My wife and I kind of adopted a cat 2 years ago. Well actually the cat adopted us on cold night in December. We don't know where she came from or why she chose us. We named her Noel, appropriate for the time of year we started caring for her. My children, 5 and 3 love her and Noel loves all of us as well. At first Noel was very skittish and would run if you got close. She now lets us all pet her, pick her up and cuddle her. She purrs like CRAZY!
I made her a house out of a very large RubberMaid gray container. I cut a hole in the side of it for an entrance and attached a piece of plastic over the door to knock the wind down and keep the rain/snow out. Inside - I cut 3 inch think foam panels typically used for sound in recording studios. I put this foam on the floor, four walls, and attached a piece to the top off the container as well. I put one of our spare bedroom pillows in there and a fleece blanket draped over the walls and pillow. To tell you the truth, I'd sleep out there, that's how cozy it looks. My question to you is... Do you think this is warm enough for her if the temp gets down to like 10 degrees or cooler?.
Secondly, Occasionally we'll let her in the house for an hour or so. She is very good I might add. She hops up on our kitchen chair and curls up or follows us around purring like crazy. Do you think this is ok to have her come in every now and then? We never brought her to the vet to get checked out. My wife did buy stuff for ear mites during this past summer. Would you advise us to take her to the vet to get a checkup?
My daughter and son were laying on the floor inside last night when we let the cat in for a while. Noel walked over to the two of them, sniffed them and laid down right next to them and gently nuzzled her nose into them (purring like crazy). Noel was rolling around like she was in heaven with the to kids petting her. It sounds like this cat really loves us that much to allow us to handle her and be comfortable enough to come in and act like she is part of the family forever.
Any advise you may have would be great!
Thanks in advance, Paul
Hi! I have been caring for a feral cat for about 3 years now. One of the things I did for those of you on a limited budget was buy a big plastic storage container with a lid. I cut an opening on the front of it for him to go in and out. I lined the container with egg crate material, sides and the bottom and put a heating pad in the bottom of it with a light layer over the top. I keep the heating pad on low. Or you can buy a pet mate heating pad that always stays on the right temperature and it also stays on 24 hours a day. This way your cat has a roof and insulation. The heating pads work great too. Just don't turn them on to high.
But I have also bought a cat igloo and put it over a large basket with a heating pad inside. My wild kitty loves the basket with the blankets and heating pad, but is scared to death of the igloo over the top of it. Like one other person said a cat is going to do what a cat is going to do. I always have fresh food and water each morning.
Mikayla,
Thanks for the great comment. Really love your idea about the pet mate heating pad - wonderful item since it stays at the right temperature & can stay on 24 hrs. a day! I appreciate your input.
Paul,
First of all, let me apologize for not replying back to you until now...things got a bit hectic around the holidays. My most sincere apologies to you.
It sounds like Noel found herself a great human family to adopt in you, your wife & children. The shelter you constructed does sound very comfy and very well insulated -- kudos to you! It's warm enough for cool to cold weather, but I'm not sure about anything below 10 degrees...especially without a pet heating pad (see other comments on this hub).
Since Noel is so well behaved inside your home & gets along with your whole human family members, I don't see why you shouldn't let her come in every now & then (or maybe even become a completely inside kitty?). I agree with you - you should take her to the vet & get her a complete physical exam with the proper set of shots. It's easier for a cat to handle the weather variations when they are healthy and well taken care of on a regular basis.
It seems from your comments that your whole family and Noel get along very well - you all seem to care & love each other quite a bit, so why not make it official and let Noel come inside for good? (of course after a discussion with your wife & kids first).
I recently purchased a product called snugglesafe for an outside feral kitty and love it. It is a disc you put in the microwave and heat for 5 minutes and then put it in the cover it comes with or wrap in a blanket and put it in the cats house. I purchased 2 so I could switch them morning and night without disturbing her too much. I heat one and when I feed her I make the switch and bring one in to do the same thing in the morning. I like it because I do not have to worry about starting a fire with an electrical heater. Snugglesafe.com if anybody is interested in further information regarding the product. I have seen them offered at petco and amazon.com also.
Another great product is the mysterious purr pad, it reflects the cats body heat back but without the crinkly noise of some of the other products.
Hello,
I have a mom feral (her kitties are in our house) but she will not come in. I purchased a feral villa for her. ($75)www.feralvilla.com it is a 2 floor insulated cat house, I have the villa on our covered screened porch (and made hubby cover screen with plastic) she has a pet bed with an indoor heated pad that heats to the cats normal temp. she seems to be using it frequently - it is still very cold out there but hopefully she will be fine during this really cold spell. It is 8 degrees tonight! But hoping since she is in a shelter that is in a shelter with the heated pad - she will be ok? I am feeding her twice a day wet (warmed) and dry food. - I have not been warming the water - but saw several posts of people doing this - great idea!
Thanks for all the great ideas - I really recomend the feral villa to anyone looking for a shelter - just needs simple assembly - already preinsulated. (also has a shingled slanted roof.
Eileen,
Thanks for the two wonderful comments & suggestions! Really like the idea of the "Snugglesafe" product (I've heard about it before, but didn't know where to buy it). Great idea to buy two of them, so you one can be keeping the cats(s) warm and then when it cools down, you can then switch it out with a warmed-up one later on in the day or evening.
Also, really like the other product - the Mysterious Purr Pad. Both products sound like they'd be very helpful in keeping cats (and other small animal companions) warm on those cold winter nights outside.
Got a question for you...mostly for clarification purposes -- Do you buy the Mysterious Purr Pad from the same places you can buy the Snugglesafe product? If not, could you please post a comment on this so others can know where to buy the Mysterious Purr Pad? THANKS!
Stephanie,
Thank you for telling all of us about the Feral Villa -- sounds like a very good product that stray/feral cats will definitely use (especially since your feral Momma cat does use it without complaint). Haven't seen one myself, but I'm definitely going to have to see if I can locate one in my area.
If you wouldn't mind, would you please post another comment & tell us all where you purchased your Feral Villa so others will know where to buy one (or at least know where to start their search for one)?
As far as your Momma feral cat being O.K. - from what you've already said, it sounds like all her needs are being met. You're providing food, clean & fresh water & have a good main shelter (covered screened porch) with a smaller insulated shelter (feral villa) with a heated pad. Just keep in mind that some feral cats won't ever want to stay inside. There are many reasons for this...some of them being - being outside, on their own for a long time period and/or having bad human experiences they don't trust enough or are uncomfortable being inside for long periods of time.
I've no doubt you're doing everything within your power to provide the best you possibly can for Momma feral cat.
Mysterious purr pad can be found at petco or drs. foster and smith or amazon.com . I have also seen them in the local grocery store (weis market is my local grocery store). The ones in the grocery stores are not specifically called mysterious purr pad but it's the same principal, polyester fibers that absorb and hold the body heat of the cat. I have 2 purr pads in the cat box with the snugglesafe tucked in between the two of them. They are sold 2 in a package and cost between twelve and fifteen dollars.
Eileen,
Thank you for posting your comment so quickly & for letting me (and everyone else) know some places we can buy the Mysterious Purr Pad. I'm going shopping later on today, so by tonight my outside kitties will have even more ways to keep warm.
This is great timing for me...even though I live in Texas (North Central TX), we do get cold winter nights -- there's a cold snap with temps at night going well below freezing predicted for later this week.
Stephanie,
Oops....my bad! Apologies to you Stephanie. You DID mention in your comment above that we can purchase the Feral Villa from feralvilla.com -- what I MEANT to say was...if you know any physical stores (like PetCo or Petsmart, etc.) where we can buy the Feral Villa, please post a comment. Again, my mistake - sorry about that.
Jean,
Any luck finding any of the products?
Eileen,
Found & purchased the Mysterious Purr Pad, not sure if all the outside cats use them, but at least one of the cats has (this is after only 2 nights of use). So far, so good.
Will have to go online to snugglesafe.com to get the product because the PetCo in my city doesn't carry it.
I am happy to hear you are having success.
What a great article Jean! With your love for cats, when can we look forward to more articles from you???!!! Keeping our cats warm and cared for is one of the special gifts we can give to those who give so much to us.
Until next time...Annie
Annie,
Wow - what can I say, but Thanks for your kind words.
To answer your question, Yes, I will write more hubpages (articles). I just can't say exactly when. Unfortunately, I recently got a new job & work a very odd schedule. It doesn't allow me very much time for pleasurable pursuits like writing new hubs. Will give it my best.
Sorry just checking back now. I purchased my Feralvilla online from their website. It was shipped to me within a week. It comes pre-insulated and my husband put it together within 20 minutes. It is a wonderful product. The insulation has a silver reflective coating that reflects their heat. It is suggested that if you are putting the shelter outside that you raise it up a bit and put straw or hay in the top floor for added insulation. Because it has a sloped shingled roof, it stays plenty dry inside! The only word of caution is if it is kept outside, once the weather gets nice, I rinse with a hose every once in a while so that ants dont get in the insulation. I found a spot where they started to burrow in the insullation.
Because my villa is on my covered patio, I have it near an outlet and put a cat bed with an indoor heated pad on it (the top lifts off like a box, so I could put the heated pad in and have cord come out the back)
Our feral, which is now our outside cat :) loves it! www.feralvilla.com
I do not think they sell them in stores, as I think it is just a guy that makes them at home and ships them. He does allow pick up, Pickup locations currently include Greenfield area (7 miles east of Indianapolis off I-70), and Fishers area. He also sells covered feeding stations.
Stephanie,
Thanks so much for replying with the info for Feral Villa! This is a great product that provides a much needed service for all those outside kitties trying to keep warm (& provides us human companions with much needed reassurance that our beloved cats ARE warm enough thru those cold winter nights).
I cut an old blanket in half folded it over a couple of times and sewed the sides up like a pillow case. I place a heating pad (not the kind that plugs in) that's been warmed in the microwave inside the blanket and place it inside my cat's carrying case that I placed outside. It stays warms to the touch for 4-5 hours.
cking,
Thanks for your comment. Not sure if the heating pad you refer to is a "snugglesafe" product. (see Eileen's comment above). Snugglesafe is a wonderful product you heat up in the microwave & use like a heating pad to keep outdoor kitties warm. What you talk about sounds alot like a snugglesafe. Anyway -- what you are doing should keep your cat warm - which is the whole point & the most important thing. Good for you!
Thank you for all these helpful hints. I just found this site while looking for ways to keep my ferals warmer than last winter. In addition to what I've been doing, I think I'm going to cover my porch screens with heavy plastic for winter and buy the heated water bowl that was previously mentioned. Again, thanks to all for the great ideas.
Caoland,
You are certainly welcome, glad you found my hub & all the comments helpful. Here's to keeping our furry companions & friends warm in the winter.
Thanks for the tips. A feral cat adopted me this summer up at my lake house and uses my gazebo to sleep in. I purchased an automatic feeder for it since I am only there for a week at a time each month - and it always seems to find me within 30 minutes of my arrival when I come back. I enlisted the help of some neighbors to help the cat this winter. I have purchased an insulated home for it, 2 mats that help the cat stay warm with its own body warmth and some mylar thermal blankets that I will put down inside. I am about to get it a feeding station next. I promised to keep the neighbors supplied with pet food and they will keep the cat house on their premises. Is there anything else I need to do to help this little guy survive the three really rough winter months. I have grown quite fond of him.
Hey Sheryl,
Good for you! -- making sure your plans keep your male feral buddy warm this winter. It sounds like you've really planned it well; neighbors being supplied with cat food, having an insulated "house," etc.
Depending upon how the mylar thermal blankets are made, he may or may not like them. If they are the older style, they may be too stiff & will make noise that most ferals do NOT like at all. If it's the newer type of blanket, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you aren't sure...see how he reacts to them. If he really doesn't like the mylar thermal blankets, then check out the above comments to this hub.
You'll see in the comments about the Mysterious Purr Pad and Snugglesafe. I've tried out the Mysterious Purr Pad on my ferals & highly recommend it. While I haven't gotten the Snugglesafe product, from all that I hear & can find on it - it's a great product, as well.
Since your feral is truly an outside only kinda guy, then that's all I can think of for you to do. Hope this helps you keep your cat as warm as possible over these coming winter months (and of course, each winter thereafter for a LONG time).
Sheryl - You may want to trap him, get him fixed, and then release him once he is ready/healed (healing time is shorter for males). That way you can start managing the population. You want to be able to do this when you are there for a week or 2 and you need to use cat-friendly traps. For more info, here's a good link http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid
Good Luck!
Caoland -
Good point about the trap/neuter/release. Making sure any feline population is managed properly is important. I'm a big supporter of Alley Cats, so kudos to you for providing that great link!
cool i have a outdoor cat
I started feeding an abandoned cat, this summer, that was left behind after the 2008 IA flood. I know I saw him around last winter and he survived okay. He lives in the next door empty house so he does have shelter. Although I still haven't gotten more than 15 feet away, I feel he was once someone's pet and not totally wild. I can't bring him into my home, but am still trying to befriend him. I've gotten attached, as I am an animal lover and now I'm concerned about him being out in the cold over the winter. I can get into this empty house and was wondering what would be the best thing to maybe take over there to help him keep warm on the cold IA winter nights.
Hey Robin,
Good for you for befriending the abandoned cat. Howevever he might not have been abandoned, depending upon his former families' circumstances (since you mentioned the 2008 IA flood). Sometimes, families don't always have the best of choices when disaster strikes. I can't really comment further 'cause obviously, I wasn't there at the time. Right now, the important thing is kudos to you for taking over his welfare.
The best suggestions I have would be to go over my whole hub, including the comments. This would give you the best ideas to keep him warm. The bottom line suggestion would be to try 1.) a good winter rated sleeping bag - this would provide a warm, snuggly place for him to burrow into & keep him toasty; 2.) the Mysterious Purr Pad and/or Snugglesafe. All of these would help keep him warm since the empty house obviously doesn't have any heat.
Also, if possible, put the sleeping bag (and/or the Mysterious Purr Pad and/or Snugglesafe)up on something like a box. Most cats like to be up off the floor/ground. This also helps keep him warm. Remember, heat rises, cold descends, so the floor is going to be the coldest part of a house (or at least, one of the coldest parts of a house).
Hope this helps.
cat/s in winter...
some ideas: had one outdoor cat, now addit 2 adult cat and 2 kittens showed up... feeding dry food and occasional wet food not too expensive... but here's some ideas I'm working on:
1. foamboard, (for insulating properties and lightweight, can be cut with razor knife) I am considering building about a 2x2x32in outdoor cathouse. I wanted to use the very thick foam board (polyiso no good)... but found it can't take moisture very well... so you have to use the 3/4inch 4x8 ft sheets they sell in hd/lowes for about 12 dollars (pretty cheap) ...I plan to use "cheap wood screws" with wide heads about 1 and 1/4 inches long to fasten (instead of glue so I can take apart or open to clean)...I don't know if the board is strong enough to take hinges, etc. ...also "duct tape" might work but I'm not sure how it can withstand weather.
you can see some info here... don't use thick one, also ones for roofing are stronger, you're supposed to be able to walk on them.
http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/foam-bo
you can get "door flaps" at Petco for about 12dollars each...so I'm thinking about mounting this also.
inside on considering down pillow, or blanket or a 20 degree sleeping bag... if I don't use a "heating pad" which is about 76 dollars at Petco, plus running electric all winter.
I'll check temp with thermometer, etc.
the main thing, whether you use foamboard or a large plastic tub with lid IS TO HAVE A SWING DOOR... otherwise COLD just gets in...
will post more as I do this, etc.
alternative...ONE OF BEST KENNELS I'VE CHECKED OUT IS PETCO
INSULATED KENNEL ABOUT 169-200 DOLLARS depending on size plus heated floor pad 76 dollars...
so about 300 dollars to do large insulated pet house with heater pad...don't know whether I can afford... doing large likely... 4 cat family will have to share... food inside to get them to go in, etc.
still time before really gets cold... below freezing
regards,
flashrob (website dimestop.com)
email: flashrob@dimestop.com
just a quickie: here's what you can probably do QUICKLY without spending too much.
1. you get the largest plastic tub you can at Walmart/Target with a lid.
2. you use a razor knife to cut a door opening in one end.
3. you mount a 12dollar hinge/door you can get at Petco.
4. you put in a "down sleeping bag" and open it in a way the cat can probably snuggle in. You can probably make a frame out of plastic coat hangers and put this in the sleeping bag to make sort of a cave within the sleeping bag.
5. that's pretty much it...
a 20 degree "greatland" sleeping bag was about 37dollars in Target...
the largest plastic containers with lid were about 15 dollars, etc. (just a guess)
THIS IS MY EMERGENCY PLAN ...if my other ideas don't work or I can't afford to buy the "large insulated kennel" and "heating pad" at Petco.
if you can afford... here's the PETCO stuff (I researched other sites stuff previously and this is the best I found and had very good reviews)
http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductCompare.aspx?skus|10953,1279335|110241,1279343|110243,k0092|110660&redirecturl=/petco_Page_PC_productlist_Nav_290_N_22%2b96.aspx%3fCoreCat%3dLN_Shopping_DogSupplies_DogHouses
regards,
flashrob (flashrob@dimestop.com)
dimestop.com (is my website, take a look you might like whats there and find it useful)
the link in my previous post for the "petco comparison" won't launch completely...you'll just see the largest insulated dog kennel... but if you click around you can see a slightly smaller dog kennel, etc.
yeah, these are supposed to be insulated dog houses, but should work well for cats and they're bigger, too.
you could do one of these with the 20degree sleeping bag I mentioned in my previous post...that might be what I END UP DOING...
my family ain't cat fans... so I got to keep this a bit away from the house and out by the shed, so elec extension cords might be a problem for me, etc.
but I figure an "insulated dog house" plus a 20degree sleeping bag MIGHT BE THE BEST I CAN DO... and real good for the cats, etc. (plastic tub will work, but then that's not insulated, though good for cold rain, etc...might do that til it gets below freezing, etc.)
anyway, good luck and God Bless...
regards
flashrob
flashrob,
Appreciate your comments - however, many of the readers can't afford to drop $300 or so dollars, it just doesn't fit into their budget. For those who's budget can stretch that far, I'd be MORE than interested in hearing about whether or not your project works & how the cat(s) used or didn't use your outdoor cat house, so please feel free to update us by posting another comment here.
For the inside of your cat house, I'd recommend the 20 degree sleeping bag because it'll definitely keep the cat(s) warmer in the winter than just a pillow or blanket.
You don't have to use a "heating pad" (& therefore keep your costs down). Instead use either a Mysterious Purr Pad, and/or a Snugglesafe. Both will do the job of keeping the cat(s) warm without the expense, or danger of having a heating pad being used outdoors. Remember, there are some dangers involved with using an "indoor only" product (i.e. a heating pad) outside. Also it eliminates the dangers of running an extension cord(s) outside, or for a long distance. No tripping over the cords, nor any animals chewing the cords & getting injured.
If you need a bit more info on the Mysterious Purr Pad or Snugglesafe, please refer to the above comments to this hub.
Looking forward to hearing about how the cat(s) respond to their new cat house.
...thanks Jean for the advice...I'll look into your suggestions.
What I did do so far, and this is just to get something in place...
1. I looked around in my basement for materials I might already have...and settled on an "empty large plastic trash can.
2. I also found a "used comforter."
Actual temp solution:
1. I dusted the inside surface of the trash can (it had only been used to store dry stuff when I had last moved, so it was never really dirty or wet...just sitting empty in the basement.)
2. I used "duct tape strips" which I looped making them double-sided sticky, and applied them liberally to the inside bottom and sides of the plastic can.
3. then, I cut the comforter (not down...but inside was 3/4in thin foam) into two strips about 18in X 72in and affixed the center of the first strip to the bottom of the can and patted the comforter strip sides to the side of the can. Then, I did this with the other comforter strip (with some xtra tape strips to the bottom of the now covered can to hold the 2nd strip of comforter in place. Then I ran several rings of duct tape acround the top of the can, thereby binding the 2in or so of excess comforter sticking out at the top open end of the can to the top of the can. The inside of the finished can now had a cushioned/insulated interior.
I used an xtra "plastic tub lid" that fit over most of the opening...leaving about 4inch space for the cats to crawl in. I affixed this to the can by running a "6ft long bungee cord around the outside bottom/sides of can to "hold the lid cover in place.
Now, to keep this from getting wet outside. I had an outdoor "table next to my outdoor shed" (about 4ft diameter)...so I covered this with a "a heavy duty shower curtain liner" (you can get these 72in x 72in heavy duty shower curtain liners at Walmart for about 6 dollars... and they are better and easier to use than a tarp. You can place stones or bricks on top of table to keep it from being blown by wind or weigh down ends of curtain with flips and fasten weights to them, etc.
Anyway, I got the cover on the table to cover both the can and the table. I put about 1/2 the can under the table with the opening facing inward. The covered table, and now covered give the cats a dry outdoor area under the table, plus dry access to the can.
I saw the cats exploring this, and assume they'll try it. (the kittens have a crawl hole under the shed, which gives them some protection from elements, but I don't think it's too comfortable under there.
Time will tell if this works.
In continuing days, I'll look around for a "large plastic container or can, and work on affixing one of those 12dollar plastic doors you can get at Petco...this to give greater warmth potential as it will "not have a permanent access opening" as my present jury-rig solution does.
Thanks again, for your suggestions...I'd definitely prefer not to have to do electric, etc., so I'll look into them.
regards,
flashrob
flashrob,
Sounds like you've made a good start on keeping the cat(s) warm & dry. My preference would have been to go with the 20 degree rated sleeping bag over the comforter.
While the comforter is better than nothing, it doesn't provide nearly enough warmth thru the really cold weather. (32 degrees & below). I'm sure cost is a consideration, so please don't feel like I'm being critical here. I just have strong opinions about what will do the best job in keeping cats warm over the cold winter months while not breaking your bank or budget.
Really liked your solution of using a shower curtain over a tarp...great idea. Hope all goes well.
Over the years I have come up with several places for outdoor cats to spend the winter or just get away from bad weather.
I have 5 cats now, all of which are indoor only (and all rescues) and there are 2-4 strays I take care of as well.
They seem to find me all the time.
I have done several of the things already mentioned. I have 2 'dog'loos, 2 outdoor hotpads, 4 home built cat shelters and I use tarps to build windbreaks under my back deck.
The best thing I have ever done is to buy bales of straw (not hay) and use it to insulate everything. Straw is cheap and easy to change out if it gets wet, spoiled by cat spray or whatever. It is an excellent insulator and the cats like to worm right in and make little nests.
The last thing I did but don't recommend, is to cut a small opening in my garage for them to get in there. I have an old oil-filled heater that I turn on when it gets too cold.
the only reason I did this was because we had a record breaking winter as far as low temps last year. It felt like I was back in Alaska! The bad thing about letting them in the garage is that some spray to mark territory and that can be nasty. I felt the cats lives more important though.
Other than that, the other most important thing is to try and leave them clean water, changed daily if possible and keep from freezing too. Animals need to be given water more in winter as it is harder for them to find on their own.
Brett George,
Well, it sounds like you definitely know what you're doing when it comes to keeping cats warm in winter. Outstanding job! You're absolutely right when it comes to pointing out that it's STRAW and not hay for doing a great job in insulating and keeping cats warm.
You've got a point about cats spraying/marking your garage. Cats are very territorial & most especially when it comes to survival (& a warm garage most definitely qualifies). Luckily, there are many products now, out on the market, to take care of the nasty odor of cat spray. The ones I've found to work the best are the ones that have enzymes as the main ingredient.
Thanks for leaving such good comments.
I adopted 2 cats from the shelter about a month ago. They are outdoor cats and are enjoying roaming our 100+ acres of woods. I am curious, we built a cat house for them with a roof, it is up off of the ground, has a few small windows and a flap door. Since the cats have been on their own, they only come around to the front porch at night to eat they run when they see us look out the window at them.
Will they "know" how to use the flap to go into the cat house? We currently have the flap taped open so that they can come and go, but so far they haven't used it.
I have heard that cats are pretty smart, but do they have to be "trained" to use the flap or will they figure it out on their own? Thanks!
cturner,
To be honest, I can't say positively, one way or another in answering your question - i.e. - will they figure out how to go in their new shelter?
You're providing them with a very critical need - shelter from the weather/elements. Most cats are very intelligent, so that's a positive factor (for going inside the shelter). Also, their natural curiosity should also help them investigate the shelter.
I wouldn't be surprised if they investigated the shelter - in fact, they most likely HAVE gone in, but you didn't see them do it. Why I say this is taken from your comment - "they run when they see us looking at them". They're not going to make themselves visible to you if they can help it. They're outside only cats & therefore much more independent than an inside cat.
If the shelter is insulated, has a soft "bed" for them & keeps them warm in the winter, more than likely, they'll get the picture & use it as they need to. Remember - cats are going to make themselves as comfortable as possible. If the shelter provides for their needs, they'll use it.
to get outdoor cats to try shelter, I would suggest affixing the flap-door in an open position (temporarily), then placing a can of "wet cat food" inside... I think they will definitely go into kennel to get food... once they are used to doing this... you can free flap... and I think they will now go in, etc. My cat wouldn't sit on "black plastic" bag under a light in garage (to keep warm). So, I put his food under the lamp... and after "testing it," he went under the lamp... and now knows he can get warm there. Though he doesn't sit on his cushion (under the lamp) even on some cold days when I'm around... I have found him sitting on the cushion under the light, when I went into garage "unexpectedly late at night" when it was cold... and there he was sitting under the light. I also used "black light bulbs" because the "regular bulbs" are too bright I think...
regards,
flashrob
flashrob,
Don't know that I would use food inside the shelter - especially depending on the size of the shelter. 1.) There's too much likelihood that the food might spill on the blanket or sleeping bag & then it would have to be cleaned up. Cats like to be clean as much as possible.
2.) There's always a danger of inviting the wrong animal to use the shelter if you use food indiscriminately as a lure. The idea is to lure the cats to use the shelter, not racoons, stray dogs, possums or any other animals.
You have to be VERY careful how you use food & outside animals to achieve the results you desire.
I have several feral cats at my complex that I am caring for. I have to be careful when helping them as my landlord is of the opinion that all their shelters and food need to be taken away so they'll go away-we all know this isn't true. As a result, I can't be seen caring for them and as 10 of the houses I've put out have been removed, I have had to limit checking them often. So in the winter I bed them down in Wood Wool. It's shredded Aspen tree I think. It's also called excelsior. The beauty of this stuff is that even if it gets wet, it will hold heat. So if I can't get to the newest hiding places for the shelters regularly to change the bedding, I know if will keep the cats warm. This stuff is amazing.
Hey Sarah,
Thanks for adding your comments. Good for you - making sure the cats in the complex are taken care of in spite of your unenlightened landlord.
What a wonderful product, Wood Wool (or Excelsior). It sounds like a great way to keep cats warm, especially if the weather turns nasty & wet. I haven't heard about this product before, but am glad you told all of us about it. Will have to check it out for myself.
Hi,
Over the past couple of monthes I've noticed two 12-13 monthe old kittens and their mom hanging around my house ( I live out in the country).. I've been putting food out for them every morning and every night. IN the mornings I put the food out in what I call a clubhouse.. It was made by my uncle a couple years ago. Anyway the kittens and their mom have come to eat the food every morning and every night. I'm pretty sure the kittens and the mama are wild, but I'm able to get somewhat close to the sometimes. Winters comming, it's already starting to get windy and cold outside. I'm afraid these cats will freeze to death or just not make it through the winter. I'm not sure if I should try and catch them or not. I'm going to continue putting food out all winter long. Around my house there's lots of windbreakers for the cats to hide but i'm worried about when we get snowstorms. I want soo bad for these cats to let me pick them up and just bring them inside my house but they wont let me close enough and I want for them to come to me.. not me go to them. Like I said though there's this clubhouse that is somewhat warm, and cuts down on wind a little bit. However there's no door on it and the screens on the 2 window have broken off so I'm not sure how warm it'd be in the winter. I've put 2 blankets in it but I don't think they really use them. The cats look prettyy healthy, they're soo fat! PLeaseeeee help! Should I try and catch them? I'm on a tight budget so I can't really buy anything but I can always improvise with what I have here at my house.
PS: There is also a couple barns that I'm sure if the cats really wanted to they could get int to them.
Hi Julie,
I understand being on a tight budget - you do what you can with what you've got. It's great that you want to help the cats survive the winter.
Just because you haven't seen the cats use the blankets, doesn't necessarily mean that they don't use them. Keep in mind, cats are going to do whatever they can to be as comfortable (and warm) as possible - specially in the cold winter months. Also, if they're feral, they're going to be naturally shy & won't do stuff where you can see them doing it.
Keep in mind, while you want to make them inside cats, this is a LONG process. It takes tons of patience. You've got the right idea - let them come to you. They have to feel like it's their idea. So keep feeding them & providing the best shelter you can. They will appreciate this & it will provide possible motivation for them to stay. If they choose to stay, it will provide you with the time to let them get to know you better & maybe over the long haul, they'll eventually let you pet them...then, pick them up...and down the line, let you take them inside.
Having windbreaks around the property is great. Putting the blankets in the clubhouse is also really good. If you haven't already done so - look at my hub and all the great comments folks have already left. There are some wonderful suggestions, and not all of them are expensive. One of the lesser cost ideas is straw. Straw bales are great insulators from the cold.
Also, you might want to see about looking at garage sales & flea markets (those type of venues) for a good rated sleeping bag. If you can't find a good sleeping bag, then try adding more blankets/towels to the two you already have. This will provide more nesting material for the cats to burrow into so they can then snuggle up with each other to keep themselves warm.
Thanks, for replying back so fast, and good advice as well!
Thank youuu!
I have 5 outdoor cats. Mom and Dad and 3 kittens.
How I keep my kittens warm.
When we moved into our house, someone left a BIG dog carrier.
Well I filled it with cedar chips (keeps fleas away too)
and put fluffy fleece over it, and being that the carrier has air holes on the sides of it,. I covered the entire top with 2 heavy fleece/flannel blankets to cover the holes. I even tucked the blankets between the top and the bottom to keep any wind out. along with that the opening is covered with those 2 blankets to keep wind out.
also on the super cold nights. I take my mircowavable heating pad, and super head it up. wrap itin a towel and put in the shelter box. so with all that and the 3 of them sleeping together,. I AM HOPING it will be enough to keep them warm through the cold winter!
I may even go ahead and put a electric heating pad in there if it gets to aweful cold.
Oh and I put the sheleter box on my back deck where I feed them, and it is facing a bench I have out there, so that also helps keep the wind out.
not to mention it is close to the dryer vent. so on laundry days they get that extra warmth too. (DO NOT DO THAT IF YOU HAVE A GAS DRYER!!!!)
Jade,
Great ideas for keeping your family of 5 cats warm - using fleece & flannel, plus making sure you've got no drafts or wind blowing directly into their shelter. Really like the addition of dryer-heated air. (and your good & accurate warning about NOT using gas dryer for keeping cats warm).
Not sure if your microwavable heating pad is a "SnuggleSafe" or not. SnuggleSafe is a great product - if you're curious, please see above comments. Anyway, you might want to purchase another re-heatable pad, that way you can switch out - use one in the night, then switch & use the newly heated pad during the daytime. That way, the cats can have the extra warmth 24/7...the advantages of having more than one pad to be used.
Things to keep in mind...Downside to electric heating pad - there are dangers in using an inside product outside. Greater risk factor for fires; tripping on the cord (humans); eating/chewing on the cord (kittens, other wild animals).
Otherwise - outstanding job! Kudos for your creativity.
I'm not real sure of the dryer vent air, if you put your hand in front of your dryer vent air it is a very moist heat, moist will result in the cat being damp and a damp/wet cat in the cold is dangerous. I don't think cats would like the laundry detergent/fabric softener smell either.
P.S. Hi Jean, I still check back on this thread for new information. I am glad you are still using the mysterious purr pads, I have re-stocked for this winter season and I just love them.
Hi Eileen,
GOOD comment about the dryer vent air being very moist heat & a damp/wet cat in the cold is dangerous. Since I've got allergies, I don't use scented laundry detergent/fabric softener (so my kitties don't have problems with what products I use), but you're right about cats not always liking scented laundry products.
Also, thanks for the "thumbs up" about my hub & for checking back for new info.
Our 3 outside cats stay in a detached garage. There is a pet door that they use to get inside. We use a 250 watt infrared heat lamp wired safely and suspended from the rafters in the garage. The heat lamp draws 2 amps of current, and is much cheaper than any other type of electric heater, as it only draws 250 watts, about the same as your television. This is the type of lamp that farmers use to keep baby animals, like chicks, baby pigs, baby goats, etc. warm in the winter time, and have done this for over 50 years. The lamp heat is infrared, so it is a radiant heat, and is a slow, constant heat when they lie directly under it. These type of lamps are used in barns across the country, and have been for decades. They have a safety grill on them so if they fell, the lamp would not directly touch anything. We also made a bed for them out of a cardboard box, with the top covered, and insulated it with old coats, blankets, etc. The heat lamp is suspended about 2 feet above the top of the box. The cats like to lay on top of the box, under the lamp, and they keep perfectly warm. If you use a heat lamp, you need to get the type they call the Brooder Heat Lamp, for baby chicks. This has the ceramic lamp base, and can take the heat from the bulb. Do not use a trouble light base, since these are usually plastic lamp bases, get the ceramic. We have done this for decades with animals outside, and I don't ever recall any safety issues that any one had from these. I suppose you might hear a story of a barn burning down from a heat lamp, but for every one that this happened, there were thousands of instances where this worked fine. Again, this is for putting in an enclosed area, like a garage, or barn. Here are some examples......
http://www.amazon.com/Woods-550165-Brooder-Heat-La
and
http://www.amazon.com/WATTS-HOURS-LIGHT-INDUSTRIAL
Walmart sells these, as well as Tractor Supply, and any farm supply store.
Richard says:
2 years ago
Many thanks for the tips. I have one outdoor cat that spends most of her time on my porch. I had 2 cats but one passed on last year. He was sickly and there was no way he'd let me get him to a vet. I think he had feline aids, or something similar. I'm thinking of buying some type of electric heated pad for Pal, my cat to lay on. Right now I use an oil radiator but it's kind of expensive. Anyway, thanks again for the info.
rgcarlin1@aol.com