How to Take Care of an Outdoor Cat in Winter

My Outdoor Cat, Bela Lugosi

Cats are one of the more finicky animals on the planet. They want what they want, when they want it. However, I still was not ready for my indoor cat of four years to hate my new house and suddenly go native on me.

Through sheer determination, the crazy cat destroyed my screen door until she got outside, and she's refused to come in since (over five years later!).

Needless to say, I have had to come up with some ways to keep her warm in the winter time. Here is what I found to be one of my better solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Large Rubbermaid storage container with lid
• Dremel tool, or other rotary-type of cutting tool
• Eye protection (goggles)
• Permanent marker
• Blankets

Instructions

1. First, purchase a large, deep plastic storage container. I happen to like the heavy-duty Rubbermaid kind.

2. Next, set the container on the ground, lid side up. With a permanent marker, draw the outline of a door near the bottom on one of the sides.

   This should be on one of the thin sides (where the handles are located), not the longer sides.

3. Assemble your Dremel or cutting tool with one of the circular cutters.

4. Turn the Dremel on and begin carving out the doorway. Depending on the thickness of the plastic, you may have to allow the cutter to cut through, lift it out and then cut through the next portion, rather than just running it along the outline.

   *Be sure to wear safety goggles, as the plastic will fly!

5. With the doorway cut out, replace the circular cutter on the Dremel with one of the small sanding wheels.

   Use it to smooth the edges all the way around the doorway.

6. Now, simply make a comfortable bed inside with some old blankets you may have laying around and find a nice place to put the container. If you can place it under an overhang or in a breeze way, it would be ideal.

7. With the blankets and the cat's own body heat within the plastic container, she can be warm and dry all winter long.

   Just be sure to replace the blankets weekly, or just wash them and return them, to make sure no mold builds up.

8. Plus, ensure that your outdoor cat has a constant supply of fresh water and is fed regularly. Feeding her more soft food in the winter will help keep her body fat up, which will also help her stay warm.

   Of course, in the event of a severe cold snap, setting the cat up in the garage with a litter pan, food and water will help her ride out the winter away from the harsh wind and ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Always ensure your outdoor cat has fresh water. If you see that her water is frozen, replace it with clean, fresh water.