Keeping outdoor cats warm in winter
People often ask how to keep their barn cats (and other outdoor cats) warm in winter…Below, we have gathered together information we received from our barn owners and from knowledgeable animal professionals who graciously share advice on Masscats.org (sources are cited):
1a.Differences between hay and straw (advice from Susan on Masscats.org)
Lots of people accidentally use the terms “hay” and “straw” interchangably, but they are really two different things with different uses.I use both hay and straw on my farm. The hay is used for food, and the straw for protection from the elements. I bank bales of straw around the barns and various area to cut down on the cold, and I spread it on the ground to keep my flock from freezing their feet. I also use it in the barn to “bed” the goats and ducks. Straw is totally nutrition less, and thus I can not use it for food.
Hay will not provide the insulation feral cats need to help them keep warm. Straw, being hollow, traps the heat from the cat’s body and helps them keep warm. Similar situation when you dress in layers - you create pockets of trapped air that are filled with your body heat. Providing a place for them to get out of the wind/rain/snow, that has some insulation, and preferable where they can snuggle together is ideal.
Some barn owners place these igloos in barns and stuff them with straw. The straw works really effectively as an insulator (per the recommendations above).
A heated disc warmer under the straw will help them build heat on those really cold nights. The discs do stay warm for a good long time.. . IF you can afford one! They are pretty pricey.
That said, if hay is the only option you have, it is better than nothing. Also, you MAY be able to get some bonus straw at places that sell it, such as AGWAY or the Co-Op in Topsfield. Lots of time they get a broken bale, or just loose straw, and if you are willing to bag it, oftentimes they will let you keep it. Just a matter of asking, and explaining what you need it for.
1b. Where to buy the straw (advice from John on Masscats.org)
Any farm supply or horse supply like agway or natures best farm stand. I build the shelters for ferals and a bale should cost about 7 dollars and it will last a long time. use straw not hay.
2. Where to buy a snugglesafe Disc (advice from Judy on Masscats.org)
You can get the Sugglesafe Disc through http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/product.asp?pf_id=998 This is a better price than Petsmart which has them without the cover for 39.00.
Amazon.com also appears to sell them for a decent price
2a. Shelter Me Inc bought these heated outdoor mats from amazon.com (on the recommendation of a barn cat owner and thought they worked great!) They only warm up when the cat is actually sitting on them. They have a nice, long insulated cord. We placed a seated mat under the cat condo that the brown cat is sitting in. It warmed the rug-covered wood floor inside. But it is much better if you can place it inside a cat condo or other kind of house that is protected from wind and and of course, rain.
We are very fond of these cat condos. We have bought them time after time to place in acclimation cages and the cats fall in love with them and live in them long afterwards. These are fairly well-priced. We have paid $40 for a single condo in the major pet supply stores. They are very solid; the rug covers a thick wood frame.
3. Build your own insulated pet house (courtesy of Rita, a Missouri resident who shared her research with us)
We also like these automatic cat feeders and waterers - you can get them pretty inexpensively on amazon.com. Cats need to drink a lot of water. We don’t buy the fancy electric feeders - plastic is fine.
Not handy? Would rather buy one already (partially) constructed? Visit FeralVilla.com.
other helpful links
http://www.indyferal.org/index.php?page=shelters
4. Heated water bowls are really great for winter. You can buy them for as little as $20 on amazon.com and they are very low voltage and have well insulated, steel-wired covered cords.
Sandy on January 4th 2010
kathy g. said on 06 Feb 2010 at 3:30 pm #
thanks so much, i forgot about straw, will take some to neighbors with outdoor cats. i was also wondering about warming disks so thanks.
TM said on 04 Oct 2011 at 7:28 am #
In the past I’ve used an infrared lamp suspended over my barn cat’s bed — in one of the stalls. She refuses to come inside so we’ve created a condo out there.
She loves the heat from the lamp (the red bulb, not the white).
But, I worry about the long-term exposure to her. It is enclosed in one of those large metal frames so I think it is safe from that standpoint, but is SHE ok?
It’s on a timer to come on when the temp falls below 38 or so.
I’d like some feedback on this please — even suggestions for other types of bulbs?
Thanks.
admin said on 05 Oct 2011 at 5:04 am #
I have never heard of using an infrared bulb for heat. But since you have access to electricity you might consider a heated bed - these are constructed for outdoor use and have a covered cord and use very little electricity. In fact, it only warms up when the cat is sitting on it. I have very successfully used this product - this is its price on amazon.com K&H Lectro Soft Outdoor Bed by K&H Manufacturing Sale: $32.75 - it is featured on this page along with other outdoor beds from K&H. That is the brand I have used in the past.
SCF said on 06 Dec 2011 at 12:04 pm #
We have two little barn cats that showned up this past summer, and they’re living outside now. We have a garage that doubles as a barn, and we have also made a space on our back porch for the little kitties. They actually do have the infrared heat lamp, as well as a human heating pad set on low and since they’re two of them (Brother and Sister), they do tend to snuggle and keep each other warm. We have a large Hay Stack in our garage that I know a chicken is currently using to brood up babies (yes, fertile ones too, developing, go figure), and I think we’re going to try and find some straw bales and place them around the under-side of our porch stairs for the kittens. So far, they’ve seem to be able to find themselves warm locations without much help from us - they’d rather be under the porch that in the blanket-condo we’ve made for them, or they’d rather be in the hay stack. I think cats that are raised outdoors are a lot more resourceful than indoor cats - my little two have VERY different fur in the winter than my indoor cats do, they have really seemed to adapt well!