Winter Tips for Cats

Source:
ASPCA/Winter tips
AVMA/Cold weather tips

North Dakota is known for harsh winters. Exposure to the winter elements can be detrimental to stray cats or our own outdoor cats.

Consider providing shelter to your outside animal and strays during the harsh winter temps.  It is not recommended to keep any pet outside for long periods of time in the North Dakota winter. If you are unable to keep your cat inside during cold weather, provide them with a warm, solid shelter against those North Dakota winter winds.

Make sure the cats have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds.

Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.

There are many online resources that are available to help you make the proper shelter for your cat and even the neighborhood strays. Visit Neighborhood Cats for more information like DIY, blue prints, and photos. 

If you’d like more information on how to care for outdoor cats, visit: Humane Society of the United States/feral cat winter tips.