Member

Posts: 14
From:
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-12-2003 02:16 PM         

---

I have some ferals I feed and let hang out on my backporch(some pretty furry and chuncky, others look well fed but not FAT...), and am concerned about our upcoming cold spell with nightime temperatures expected in the 40s and 50s..I have put out blankets in wicker baskets and boxes with blankets and have a big plastic dog house igloo type structure but they don't seem to go for any of it. SO far it hasnt been all that cold, maybe one night in the upper 50s...Do they find a hidden warmer windless niche somewhere in the woods or in another neighbor's yard? Do they really feel all that uncomfortable when it gets in the 40s ? I know this is nothing compared to sub freezing temps up north.But I get concerned for their comfort when harsh weather is expected. You would think they'd take a hint and take advantage of my generosity..LOL...any ideas?/ Thanks!

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 38
From:Louisiana
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 11-12-2003 02:23 PM         

---

actually, all of my cats are outdoor/indoor in every season. I live in S. Louisiana, so it doesn't get very cold here, but I've noticed that they do find places to go and snuggle. For instance, some of them go under the neighbor's house if they have to be outside when it's cold. Same thing if it's raining, they can find shelter if they have too. **some of them do go under the car and hide there(if they are small enough), so BE CAREFUL** um, not on the concrete under the car, like in the car from under the car. *sigh* like under the hood or something. I hope you know what i'm talking about......

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 14
From:
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-12-2003 02:32 PM         

---

LOL, yeh I do, but luckily I have a garage so thats not a prob.
I imagine by sheer instinct they oughta know where to go for at least some protection when its cold and wet.
I have always wondered how feral cats survive big snowstorms and bitter cold up north, I have no idea. Not sure I wanna know either.....

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 38
From:Louisiana
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 11-12-2003 05:28 PM         

---

I've heard somewhere that snow dogs like burrow in the snow to keep warm. Kitties might do something similar to that. so maybe that's it....snow kitties.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-12-2003 05:45 PM         

---

When I lived in Texas and fed some strays, I took some old cat carriers and put them on my front porch. I put some towels on the floor of the carrier, then covered the top and sides with a towel. I dangled it over in the front so that it covered the opening, but they could still easily get in. I put them in a place where they were sheltered by the wind. The cats used the carriers to sleep in when it was cold.

I guess that they probably can find sheltered places to sleep, but I felt bad so I made the carrier houses. My mom had an old dog house that we made a floor for and put a door flap on and her strays sleep in there to keep warm.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 11-13-2003 12:16 PM         

---

I'm sure find warm places to sleep. Its likely that they get into crawl spaces under houses or under people's decks. In a more rural area there would be a lot of places under fallen trees and such.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)