If you care for outdoor cats in your community, a few simple steps can go a long way in keeping them comfortable in freezing temperatures.
Feral cats are hardy animals and are well-adjusted to outdoor life, but as temperatures plummet, a few extra steps can ensure they stay warm and safe even in below-freezing temperatures.
Here are a few suggestions to help the feral and stray cats in your community hunker down in the extreme cold:
- Provide an outdoor shelter and a refuge from cold and wind. Find shelter optionsincluding an easy 5-minute styrofoam shelterat alleycat.org/ShelterGallery and general shelter guidelines in our Colony Care Guide.
- Insulate the shelter against moisture as well as cold. Use straw, not hay, to insulate shelters. If you have a shed or garage, remove any potential hazards (like antifreeze) and allow cats to have acccess during severe weather.
- Provide fresh water daily and additional food. Insulated and heated bowls can help prevent water and wet food from freezing.
- Clear pathways. In heavy snowfall be sure to dig out cat shelters.
- Avoid salt and other melting products. These products can be toxic and injure cats’ paws. We don’t recommend using them near colonies.
- Check your car before you drive. Cats will sometimes crawl into or under cars for warmth, so check before you drive and give the hood a few taps.
Get details and find more tips at alleycat.org/WinterWeather
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