Advice on taking care of a outside feral cat in the winter.

kimk · 12-22-2004, 10:24 PM

I have a feral cat that showed up and lives in my shed. I have been feeding him and he sticks around and I like him fine he does not cause any problems he evens comes out when I call him. The weather Friday night is going to get down to -12. I want to know what I can do to protect him from the cold. The shed door does not close, I have a box full of hay and a wool blanket he sleeps in and up in the rafters also he has a wooden box with hay and only the front of it is open but he does not use it much.
He bites when I try to carry him towards the house. I don't want him to freeze to death he is very feral but at one time I think he was tame.
I feed him dry food but now that its cold I have also been giving him 1 can of warmed up canned food. I also make sure he has fresh water many many times a day.
I need help on how to get him threw this cold spell.
Thanks.

Twisti · 12-22-2004, 10:45 PM

I think your a sweetie for taking care of a stray that way...one of mine is was a stray and the other was dropped off at our vets and we took her in too...I think what you are doing is great, as far as the hay and blanket...it wouldnt be safe to use any kind of elect. heater I wouldnt think...Im sorry I dont have any advice to offer, but I think you are awesome for wanting to help...

spacemonkey · 12-22-2004, 11:07 PM

Sounds like your doing good, offering him food and a warm place to sleep

Have you tried any rescues in your area that may be able to place him in a foster home?

spike481 · 12-22-2004, 11:08 PM

What you can do is rig up a heat lamp of sorts. Get electricity to the shed. If it's there already, great, if not, run an extension cord from your house. Get a work light from Lowes or Home Depot or Wal-Mart or wherever. The kind I'm talking about looks like a light socket with a silver bowl....photo below:

Put a 40 or 60 watt bulb in and secure the lamp about 2' - 2.5' above and pointed down toward the sleeping area. Make sure the cord does not dangle freely and tempt the cat to chew on it. Duct tape can be used to secure the cord to something like a board or garden tool. Also use duct tape to secure the lamp if needed; don't want the lamp falling and burn the cat or start a fire in the hay.

The cat should not mind the light and he will appreciate the heat.

12-22-2004, 10:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
kimk Kitten Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1	Advice on taking care of a outside feral cat in the winter. I have a feral cat that showed up and lives in my shed. I have been feeding him and he sticks around and I like him fine he does not cause any problems he evens comes out when I call him. The weather Friday night is going to get down to -12. I want to know what I can do to protect him from the cold. The shed door does not close, I have a box full of hay and a wool blanket he sleeps in and up in the rafters also he has a wooden box with hay and only the front of it is open but he does not use it much. He bites when I try to carry him towards the house. I don't want him to freeze to death he is very feral but at one time I think he was tame. I feed him dry food but now that its cold I have also been giving him 1 can of warmed up canned food. I also make sure he has fresh water many many times a day. I need help on how to get him threw this cold spell. Thanks.

12-22-2004, 10:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Twisti Cat Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Texas....what country are you from???? lol Posts: 173	I think your a sweetie for taking care of a stray that way...one of mine is was a stray and the other was dropped off at our vets and we took her in too...I think what you are doing is great, as far as the hay and blanket...it wouldnt be safe to use any kind of elect. heater I wouldnt think...Im sorry I dont have any advice to offer, but I think you are awesome for wanting to help... __________________ ~Wendy~ Mom to Four human babies and mama to our new rescued Long Hair Siamese kitten Sammy A Candle Always Burns In Loving Memory of Our Son Andrew Stratton 6/22/04

12-22-2004, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
spike481 Cool Cat Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,271	What you can do is rig up a heat lamp of sorts. Get electricity to the shed. If it's there already, great, if not, run an extension cord from your house. Get a work light from Lowes or Home Depot or Wal-Mart or wherever. The kind I'm talking about looks like a light socket with a silver bowl....photo below: Put a 40 or 60 watt bulb in and secure the lamp about 2' - 2.5' above and pointed down toward the sleeping area. Make sure the cord does not dangle freely and tempt the cat to chew on it. Duct tape can be used to secure the cord to something like a board or garden tool. Also use duct tape to secure the lamp if needed; don't want the lamp falling and burn the cat or start a fire in the hay. The cat should not mind the light and he will appreciate the heat. __________________ spike481 Herdmaster of 14 Cats & 2 Dogs "Ever tried to herd cats?"

12-22-2004, 11:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
spacemonkey Premier Cat Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: southern Maine Posts: 3,623	Sounds like your doing good, offering him food and a warm place to sleep Have you tried any rescues in your area that may be able to place him in a foster home?

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