How to Help Feral Cats Survive Winter

For those of us in most of the United States, winter isn't far away. And for those of us who feed feral cats to keep them from starving, it's time to prepare for cold weather.

Whether you feed one cat or several colonies, there's a lot you can do to help the cats find a safe place to survive in even the most vicious winter weather.

Your first concern should be offering the cats shelter. Sometimes Fall triggers a decision about whether or not to adopt. Three weeks ago, my husband and I decided to adopt two feral kittens who had been stopping by with their mom to eat at our patio door since early summer. In August, the kittens decided to wander inside from time to time through the open door. Mom did not and will seldom come nearer than six feet as we continue to feed her. We did not want to leave the kittens outside in cold weather.

If you're not in a position to adopt, you will want to buy or make some type of shelter. According to the article Coming in from the Cold, cats who otherwise would rip each other apart are often willing to snuggle a bit when the temperatures drop. You might be wrong if you think you need an expensive cat condominium complex to house several animals. Chances are, they'll peacefully co-exist to stay warm. You probably can house two or three cats together.

Despite a more cooperative spirit overall during cold temperatures, feral cats still some type of protection from the elements. The extra-thick coat they grow in the Fall is not sufficient to keep them from dying from exposure without at least some cover from the weather.

This article states that the cat rescue group known as Alley Cat Allies suggests that any shelter be a minimum of 2 feet wide, 3 feet long, and 18 inches high. The opening should be small enough to keep out larger animals such as dogs and 'possums. A plastic flap or L-shaped entrance helps keep cold air from blowing into the shelter. It's wise to use a structure small enough to transport in your vehicle should there be an emergency.

Coming in From the Cold maintains that you should be able to purchase materials to make your own shelter for about $25 to $30 Among the things you'll need: wood, a silicone gun to seal out the cold, and possibly cinder blocks to elevate the shelter.

If finances are a concern, the site suggests creating an "instant" shelter from a cardboard box over which you tape a trash bag. Extra-sturdy boxes such as those for computers or from moving companies are best. You'll need to cover them with leaves for camouflage. Another choice is wiring together milk crates and covering them with plastic.

Should construction be a bit beyond your ability, you can buy a small dog house winterized with a plastic cover or insulation. However, you'll want to make the opening even smaller for the cats and put up a plastic flap to keep out the cold. For many people, this is the most practical suggestion and the one we took to shelter the cats we could not adopt.

The second concern should be how to feed feral cats in winter. You're fortunate if you have an overhang that permits food and water to stay dry. If your property is constructed differently, you'll need to come up with something else, such as three-sided covered wooden boxes to keep the food dry, according to Coming in from the Cold.

The site explains that since canned food freezes quickly, you should only offer it if you know the cats will eat it right away. However, you can always put out dry food. How much will you spend on feeding? The article states that Alley Cat Allies estimates $700 to $750 a year to feed a colony of 10 cats. This figure consists of 20 pounds of dry food plus 2 cases of canned food each month. Feral cats require extra calories in the cold to keep up their energy levels.

Another consideration is extra vet care in winter. The breeding season can start as early as February. This is a point at which you will again need to decide whether to adopt, pay for any necessary vet services yourself, or contact a spay/neuter group, which might reduce the cost. Since our kittens came in on their own, we were not eligible for any financial help from a spay/neuter organization.

Water is always a concern during freezing temperatures. According to Preventing Water from Freezing, cats who eat dry food need more water than those who are fed from a can. The ideal solution is a heated bowl. Since water evaporates quickly, you will need to fill the bowl with a gallon to cover 24 hours. You can find a number of heated dishes via an Internet search.

The article also suggests placing the water bowl in a cheap styrofoam cooler. You'll need to cut an entrance hole at the end of the cooler and place the bowl at the opposite end. Another alternative is utilizing a thermal-type water dish. Surface water freezes more slowly in a wide, deep dish than in a narrower, shallower one.

Preventing Water from Freezing also offers some unusual ideas from individuals who regularly feed feral cats. One is to put a deep plastic water dish filled with rocks beneath the drain from your indoor heating system. You can also set a water bowl against the wall where your heating pipes are located. Another option is removing an old tire from the rim and filling it with rocks. Fit a large bucket or other container in the hole. The dark tire will absorb sunlight, heat the rocks inside, and help keep the water from freezing.

The site states it's crucial to never place water inside the shelter itself lest it spill and make the feral cats wet in the cold. And unlike what most of us have been told, hot water actually freezes faster than cold. Since it evaporates faster, it leaves less water behind in the dish. The smaller amount of leftover water freezes more quickly than a full dish of cold water would have.