Feral Cats In Winter

All cats will grow a thicker coat in the winter.

Feral cats in winter.

An even better option is to purchase a pet safe heated water dish to prevent freezing. For more populated colonies go with multiple shelters of a larger size. Our annual holiday cat food drive collected a record 5 049 pounds of food to help provide nutritious meals for feral and stray cats during the challenging winter months. So whether you have an outdoor cat that likes to stay that way or just want to provide some food and shelter for feral or stray cats read on to find out how you can keep your favorite felines warm all through the cold winter months.

P feral cats can survive in even extremely frigid climates if they are provided with adequate winter shelter. The best thing you can do is put out water for them and check it twice daily to make sure it hasn t frozen over. Cats rely on body heat to stay warm so keep your shelters small for colonies with just a few cats. Many cats tend to be chronically dehydrated and winter s chill can make it even more difficult for feral or outdoor cats to get access to water.

Caring for feral cats during the winter months with a few odds and ends and a trip to the hardware store you can help feral cats survive the worst that winter can offer. However the extra fur alone isn t enough to keep them warm enough to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. They need shelter from the cold. Further down this page you 39 ll also find tips on.

A good feral cat winter shelter will have three essential qualities it will be well insulated have minimal air space and be waterproof. Even though feral cats develop a thick coat in the fall to keep them warm they can die from exposure if at least some protection from the elements is not available. Street cats alley cats wild cats feral cats homeless cats there are a lot of different names we give to these free ranging felines. This guide will tell you everything you need to know including detailed information on building your own feeding station and cat shelter.

Hypothermia occurs when a cat s body temperature drops below 100 degrees. Avoid blankets which absorb. Warm and dry because it resists moisture straw is the top choice for insulation and bedding in your feral cat shelters says alley cat allies. They are resilient and able to live and thrive in all varieties of locations weather conditions and climates.

Community cats also called outdoor stray or feral cats are well suited to living outdoors usually in close proximity to humans and can survive winter on their own. If you are feeding outdoor cats and would like food please call us at 503 797 2606.