Winter Weather Tips for Outside Cat Care

Credit: Alley Cat Allies

When temperatures get this cold, outside cats can use extra help to stay warm and healthy. If you are seeing or feeding ferals or strays, be sure to provide food, water, and shelter during severe and cold weather.

Food
Feed larger portions than usual in colder weather. The cats can use the extra calories.

• Feed the cats on a regular schedule. The cats will know when to come around, and both the food and the cats will spend less time exposed to the elements.
• If you can keep it from freezing, feed wet food—it’s easier to digest, so cats save more energy for keeping warm. Consider warming canned food before putting it out.
• Since wet food is quick to freeze, put out dry food too.

Water
Outdoor cats need clean water daily. Here are tips to keep the water from freezing as quickly throughout the winter months:

• Refill the bowls twice daily with hot or warm water.
• Use heated water bowls if near an electrical outlet.
• Use wider and deeper bowls.
• Keep the water in the sun and use dark colored bowls that will absorb the sun’s heat.
• Insulate the bowls. Use double-layered bowls that have an insulated air layer between the surface the water touches and the surface against the ground. Shield the water dish from wind by placing it inside a small styrofoam cooler or surround the top and sides of the feeding area with plexiglass to create a greenhouse environment for the water.
• Use a microwaveable disk like a Snuggle Safe under the water bowl.

Shelter
Even a box covered with plastic to stay dry and insulated with straw can help keep cats safe and warm. Use straw instead of blankets, because blankets absorb water and don't stay dry. Place shelters in discreet locations away from foot traffic so the cats are more likely to use them. Cats living in colonies will huddle together for warmth, so provide colonies with multiple shelters that fit three to five cats each. If you are caring for fewer cats, use smaller shelters so it takes less body heat to warm them up. Here is a gallery of shelter ideas to make or purchase: http://www.alleycat.org/ShelterGallery.

Catnip's Christmas

Catnip was a stray and might have been spending Christmas outside if Sarah hadn't volunteered to take him in to foster.

Resident cat George has been welcoming as well.

Remember to help provide for those less fortunate cats still living outside. They need food, shelter, and fresh water on these cold days.  Here are some tips from Alley Cat Allies: http://www.alleycat.org/winterweather.

Ryder, Home for the Holidays

Ryder (now Finnegan) who was recently adopted through Feline Rescue's foster program is helping bring more joy to his family this holiday.

My husband and I have come to the conclusion that you gave us the best pet for our family we could imagine. This is because Finnegan has many attributes of a dog as well as a cat. He follows us all over, is there the minute we get home wanting to love on us and get love from us, cuddles up in our laps the minute we sit down, plays pouncing games with me and Norah in bed in the morning, and HE PLAYS FETCH with his favorite 2 toys (Norah's crafting "puff-balls" and his white mouse). Seriously, he is the most unique and best cat my husband and I have ever had or seen. He's brought so much love and joy to our family.  :)

Oliver!

Rescued by Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and fostered by Feline Rescue, Oliver is thankful at Christmas and every day for his new home.

Frankie and Shirley safe, warm, and available for adoption

These fluffballs are two of Momma Oakley's family that were rescued from living out in the cold. Scared at first, Frankie and Shirley are making progress slowly but surely. Despite their big fluffy coats, they prefer to be warm inside their foster home.

Shirley just loves to be rubbed and petted and even likes to be held. Little Frankie is starting to enjoy petting too. Frankie mostly stays tucked inside her cozy bed, but she watches how Shirley purrs with excitement when their foster mom pets her. Frankie talks to them from inside her hideaway.  "Someday," she says, "I will be brave and come out to purr for you too."

These little girls couldn't be cuter. Just a few months old, they love to play. Frankie and Shirley are ready to go home with someone who promises to continue helping them feel safe and loved. They would like to stay together. If you are patient enough to earn the trust of Frankie and Shirley, contact outreach@felinerescue.org or call Molly at 651-295-3758

East side mom and her kittens need your help

Adam and Lisa have been following Feline Rescue on Facebook and were inspired to get involved helping cats. They volunteered to help control the population and improve the lives of cats in a colony living outside near a friend's house on St. Paul's east side.

Some of the cats will be spayed/neutered and returned to the colony, where they receive food, water, and shelter. This will help stop the cycle of homeless cats in the area. Some cats, like Big Mac, have found homes. Last night, Adam and Lisa were lucky enough to catch up with this mom and babies. We hope these kitties can have a good indoor life too.

If you can help by taking in this mom and babies so they can become more social and find good homes, please contact outreach@felinerescue.org.

The girls from Echo Ridge

Beans and Buttons were born in the spring at Echo Ridge. Their mom was an abandoned pet, left behind to fend for herself and raise kittens. Luckily, someone came along to rescue the whole family before Beans and Buttons had to worry about any such thing. These girls have adjusted beautifully to living in a home.

Although they are still shy, Beans and Buttons are sweet and just love to play. Beans is more outgoing when it comes to play, and Buttons is more affectionate with her foster people. She loves to purr. The sisters get along great with other cats and are especially bonded with each other.

The girls are ready to find a stable home so they can finally bond with the people who will love them forever. If you are ready to be loved by a beautiful pair of black cats, call Molly at 651-295-3758 or email outreach@felinerescue.org for more information.