How to Help Feral and Outdoor Cats in Winter

Three things help outdoor cats in cold weather: a dry shelter lined with straw, food and water that has not frozen, and a clear path to both. Many people worry about what happens to stray and feral cats when the temperature drops. Alley Cat Allies, an advocacy organization for cats, calls them community cats, meaning "unowned cats who live outdoors," and it publishes a fact sheet of cold weather tips for them.

Build a Winter Shelter

Alley Cat Allies says a dedicated outdoor shelter "gives cats that live outside a place to avoid bad weather, will help keep them close to home, and deter them from exploring neighbors’ yards." It also says shelters do not need to be big or complicated. Larger is not always better, because the heat will disperse quickly. A space large enough for three to five cats to huddle is perfect, and if only a few cats use the house, it should be even smaller so it takes less body heat to warm up.

The doorway should only be big enough for cats. Alley Cat Allies says to face the entry away from the wind, preferably facing a wall so that only cats can get in and out, or to use a door flap or an L-shaped entry to keep out the elements. A flap also keeps out potential predators. Make the shelter waterproof, windproof, and elevated off the ground, which protects it from dampness. The entry should sit several inches above ground level to keep out rain and snow. Wood pallets are great for elevation.

Check the shelters regularly to make sure they are in good condition, and check the entrances during significant snowfall so the cats do not get snowed in. If the cats are not using a shelter after a few weeks, try moving it closer to a spot where they already like to stay, while still giving them privacy from the public. Catnip, silver vine, or a few treats inside can make a shelter more appealing. Since certain cats are more particular about where they stay, more than one type of shelter is always a good thing.

Bedding for an Outdoor Cat Shelter

Alley Cat Allies says straw makes the best insulation and bedding because it resists moisture and keeps the shelter warm. It says never to use hay, because hay retains moisture and will make the shelter wet and cold, and to avoid blankets and towels for the same reason. A shelter can also be lined with mylar blankets, the silver blankets that reflect radiant heat, with the straw laid on top.

Food and Water in Cold Weather

Alley Cat Allies says cats can benefit from extra food during winter, so increase portions to help them conserve energy. For the type of food, it says: "Canned or wet food takes the least amount of energy to digest, meaning more energy can be spent on fighting the chill." Dry food will not freeze, which works for frigid temperatures, but dry food takes more energy to digest. Wet food keeps cats full longer.

Alley Cat Allies says to provide fresh food and water daily or twice daily rather than let leftovers freeze. Alley Cat Allies lists several ways to slow freezing:

• Serve wet food in plastic containers.

• Warm up canned food and water before serving, or use heated electric bowls.

• Use bowls that are deep rather than wide, place them in sunny areas, and avoid metal bowls.

• Spray insulation foam into the underside of plastic feeding dishes and water bowls, or put a microwavable heating pad under the bowls.

• If there is a water source like a spigot, run the water slightly, because it will not freeze as fast as still water. You can also use a water fountain or a water bowl with a fountain feature.

Alley Cat Allies calls a feeding station the best way to feed community cats during the cold months, because it shields food, water, and the cats from the elements. An insulated feeding station built the same way as a cat shelter works even better. If a snowstorm is forecast that may trap you at home, make sure the cats have enough food and water to last more than a day. Once you can head out again, clear snow from the places cats use, especially around their shelters and feeding stations.

Check Under the Car and Clean Up Antifreeze

Alley Cat Allies says to check under the hood of your car before driving, because animals, including cats and kittens, sometimes climb up underneath cars or inside engines to seek warmth. It adds that you should check between the tires and wheel wells too.

Pet Poison Helpline says pets are exposed to antifreeze through leaking vehicles, containers in garages and storage sheds, and improperly disposed vehicle waste fluids. Many antifreeze products contain ethylene glycol, and small volumes of it can lead to death if treatment is delayed. Depending on the type of antifreeze, the signs of antifreeze poisoning may include gastrointestinal distress, neurological disorientation, and organ failure. Alley Cat Allies lists antifreeze as a common cause of poisoning in the wintertime and says to clean up a spill immediately, even on a driveway or street. Store antifreeze where cats cannot get to it. Alley Cat Allies says salt and snow-melting chemicals can be harmful and even deadly when licked off paws or fur, that animal-friendly deicers are sold at most pet stores, and that sand or gravel can give traction instead. The ASPCA says to consider antifreeze products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

If you suspect a cat swallowed antifreeze, Pet Poison Helpline says to contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately, at (855) 764-7661. The ASPCA gives ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 as another number to call. It says a consultation fee may apply, and Pet Poison Helpline lists an incident fee on its website.

Frostbite in Cats

Frostbite is damage caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. VCA says the paws, ears, and tail are the most common tissues affected, and that these areas are more vulnerable if a cat is wet or damp. VCA says the ear tips of cats are especially vulnerable, and damage there may occur very quickly.

VCA lists these signs: discolored skin, often pale, gray, or bluish; an area that feels cold or brittle when touched; pain when touched; swelling; licking or chewing at the area; blisters or skin ulcers; and areas of blackened or dead skin. The signs may take several days to appear, especially if the affected area is small or is a non-weight bearing area, such as the tip of the tail or ears.

VCA says that if you suspect a cat has frostbite, you should seek medical attention immediately. Its first aid advice starts with moving the cat to a warm, dry area as quickly and safely as possible. It says not to rub or massage the affected area, and not to use direct dry heat such as a heating pad or hair dryer. If the cat is suffering from hypothermia or low core body temperature, VCA says to treat the hypothermia first.

When a Feral Cat Needs a Vet

Alley Cat Allies says community cats live long and healthy lives outdoors, but there may come a time when you spot a cat who appears unwell, and then it is critical to take action immediately. It says to consult a veterinarian immediately if you see one or more of these signs:

• Respiratory distress, such as constant coughing, open-mouth breathing, or breathing too fast

• Open wounds or other visible injuries

• Limping or dragging part of the body

• Clouded, crusted, runny, or injured eyes

• Constant vomiting, or repeated failure to vomit

• Lethargy or immobility, such as lying limp or struggling to get up

• Swollen limbs, mouth, or other areas

• Severe weight loss and emaciation

• Yowling or crying that indicates pain

Alley Cat Allies says cats may not always make their pain or limping apparent, so watch to see if a cat is walking differently than usual. There are also some signs of pain in cats in general. If you trap a community cat because she is sick or injured, Alley Cat Allies says the cat must see a veterinarian immediately, and you should contact a veterinarian before even setting out to trap her. It says not to bring a sick or injured community cat indoors without consulting a veterinarian, and not to give human medications unless a veterinarian directs it, because painkillers can be harmful or fatal to cats. If you feel you are unable to provide immediate care, Alley Cat Allies says to contact a local advocate, organization, or veterinarian.

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Trap-Neuter-Return in Winter

TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) means community cats are humanely trapped, taken to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and eartipped, then returned to the outdoor homes where they are bonded. Eartipping is the universal sign that a cat has been through a TNR program.

Alley Cat Allies says it is possible to do TNR safely in colder weather, but to use your best judgment, and that if the weather is too severe for you to be outside, you should not practice TNR. It suggests trapping during warmer times of the day and adjusting the cats' feeding schedule so they are out and about at the right hours. Check traps frequently and never leave them unattended, because it is harder for cats to stay warm while confined in a trap. Cats recovering from spay or neuter surgery must be held in a temperature-controlled environment, and in cold weather Alley Cat Allies says to be extra mindful of temperature at every step, including transport. It also suggests asking your veterinarian to shave as small an area as possible for the surgery so the cat keeps as much fur coverage as possible.

Pet Cats and Cold Weather

The ASPCA says to keep your animals inside in cold weather. It says pets left outdoors can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured, or killed, and not to leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, because cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold. A pet cat that wants time outside can use an outdoor cat enclosure.

Feral Cats in Winter FAQs

Can feral cats survive winter?

Alley Cat Allies says cats have always lived outside and thrived in all varieties of locations, weather conditions, and climates, and that they are "well adapted to their environments and know where to find food and shelter from the elements." Its fact sheet adds that "there are many ways you can provide some extra support."

Where do feral cats go in winter?

Alley Cat Allies says cats can find their own shelter. It also says an outdoor shelter set up for them can keep them close to home and deter them from exploring areas they are not welcome, such as underneath a porch.

Do cats get cold?

Cold can harm cats. The ASPCA says that if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet. VCA Animal Hospitals says that when the temperature drops below 32°F (0°C), blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow, and that in extreme cold, or after long exposure, reduced blood flow can let the paws, ears, and tail freeze.

Should I take a feral cat to an animal shelter in winter?

Alley Cat Allies says not to bring cats or kittens to animal shelters, because many shelters lack humane, nonlethal policies and programs. It says that unless there is illness or injury, in which case you should consult a veterinarian, allowing cats to remain outdoors is the best way to protect them.

Sources

• Alley Cat Allies, Cold Weather Tips for Cats
• Alley Cat Allies, Providing Shelter
• Alley Cat Allies, How to Help Sick or Injured Cats
• Alley Cat Allies, Poisoning in Cats
• Alley Cat Allies, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Frostbite in Cats
• Pet Poison Helpline, Antifreeze
• ASPCA, Cold Weather Safety Tips

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