Winter cat care: how an outdoor cat house can help and other tricks

If you have an outdoor cat, it’s likely that they have the urge to go out in the winter despite the colder weather. As their guardian, you might be worried about keeping them warm. You could help extend their outdoor time in winter and make it more cozy, comfortable, and safe with an outdoor cat house. Having an outdoor shelter for them plus taking some other simple measures will lead to a carefree cat life during the chilly months.

Outdoor cat house

Investing in, (or even building) an outdoor cat house for winter can make a huge difference to the life of your outdoor cat. It can also take a weight off your mind knowing that your kitty has somewhere to shelter if it stays outside for longer periods. That said, try to also make your home as attractive as you can for them during really cold weather so that they feel good about coming in and spending time there.

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an outdoor cat house:

• Size
  Try to opt for an outdoor cat shelter that isn’t too big; the idea is that the cat’s body heat gets trapped inside and warms the space. So, a massive party pad isn’t really going to do your feline friend much good on a cold day!
  
• Ease
  Do yourself a favour and choose an outdoor cat house that’s easy to open up and clean. Think about hinging the roof or getting a removable one. It’ll save you a lot of time and hassle when you’re cleaning out the contents. Some outdoor cat shelters also come with drainage for easy clean ups.
  
• Material
  Choose a material that will last all weathers and can provide shelter from the heat in summer too. Most outdoor cat shelters are waterproof and windproof, but it’s always worth double-checking.
  
  
• Inside
  What should you put inside your outdoor cat house? Well, perhaps the best bet is something like straw, which will be comfy and warm; they can burrow into it too. Shredded newspapers can also work a treat: it’s advisable to stay away from blankets and beds as they absorb the cat’s body temperature meaning that it won’t heat the space. Alternatively, you could fill pillowcases with some newspaper shreds or packing peanuts.

What else can I do, besides getting an outdoor cat shelter?

 

 

• Make sure they have food and water
  You should try to place their rations somewhere near their shelter, protected from the elements. Perhaps thinking about creating a small canopy outside the shelter and leaving their food and water covered. Keep checking the water to make sure it doesn’t freeze over, or better still, invest in a solar-heated bowl or opt for thick plastic ones as they tend to be better insulated.

• Give incentive to be inside
  If the weather is particularly cold, it’s important to entice them into the house, even if they do have their own outdoor cat house. Make sure they have plenty of cozy beds and nooks to snuggle up in, and play and interact with them or provide toys to keep them stimulated.
  Last but not least, provide them with a litter tray inside, even if they are used to going outside.

• Be vigilant with anti-freeze, salt and chemicals
  Anit-freeze can kill cats, so be extra careful if using it or if any of your neighbours are using it. These chemicals and salt used on the roads can damage your cat's paws too; always wipe and dry them off when they come inside, just to be sure.

• Make sure they’re seen
  Roads in winter are a real danger for cats; drivers often just don’t see them in the dark. Getting your feline friend an LED collar or something that helps them be seen on the roads could help prevent them from getting run over.

Outdoor cats can continue to have the freedom they’re used to in winter, so long as you stay vigilant and provide that all important shelter for them. Keep them protected from the elements and other dangers when they choose to be out, and give them options for toileting, play and warmth in the house for when they choose to be in.