Just because your cat is perfectly comfortable living outside, it doesn’t mean that a little extra TLC during the winter is not needed. After all, it can get quite cold out there and having a welcoming place to keep warm is important. Yes, they may live outside all year round, but when winter temps drop well into the 40s and often lower, then having a place to stay warmer, safer and healthier benefits them, and often minimizes any risks, due to feral or stray cats, to you.
But what can you do to make living outside easier for a cat? Actually, there are several actions you can take to help. Let’s get started:
- Set up a cat house in the backyard. As long as the shelter is at 2’ x 3’ x 18” high with a door that is no bigger than 6 to 8 inches wide. Place some straw on the floor of the house to help insulate the space. Don’t use blankets, towels, or folded newspaper; they absorb body heat and chill cats that are lying on them. A cat (or perhaps a couple of them) can find a warmer place to rest where the wind and the cold are minimized.
- Set up a feeding station, complete with a roof and sides, to make it easy for them to eat without needing to forage for food. If it is possible to keep the food from freezing, feed them wet foods rather than a dried mix. You can also place a bowl of water outside for them. To keep food/water from freezing, consider placing a heating pad underneath bowl and keep it turned on, set to low.
- Safety – Cats will seek shelter and warmth and a favorite place for them is on top of your vehicle’s engine block or tires. Be sure to check these places before leaving for work each morning.
- Watch out for any anti-freeze spills. Cats will ingest this, as it is an appealing scent/flavor to them, and become sick and often die as a result. Be sure to clean up any spills so neighborhood cats and dogs will not be at risk.
- If you use salt or chemical melting products, find another option. These products can be fatal to neighborhood animals. Consider using sand or sawdust to provide traction during snow or ice.
Having an outdoor cat, or just looking out for those stray and feral cats, is a great way to do your part to make winter easier for our fury friends. By implementing these suggestions, you can make it easier for these kindhearted creatures and help them feel warm and welcomed – even if you aren’t able to take them all in!
