Getting cats

[jen_in_southtexas]

I am planning to take two kittens that we think are around 3mo. old. They are part of a litter of a stray cat that ended up at someones property.

My question is...since these will be outside cats, what kind of shelter is good to provide for them? I was thinking that maybe a doghouse lined with towels, old blankets and such and maybe even those cat beds you can find at WalMart. They sure are soft and seem comfy and warm. I just would like to know that they have a place to protect them from the elements since they will be outside cats.

Does this sound like a good idea? What kind of shelters do your outside cats live/sleep in especially when its cold outside? I dont have a shed yet nor a barn.

[seedsandsongs]

Hey Jen,

I had two outside cats for a while. Although I had two barns I made a small shelter, kind of like a dog house, packed the floor down with hay and put two blankets in there. The cats loved it and I never had a problem. I guess it depends on where you live. I was in NC at the time and the winters there are some what mild. It doesn't take much to keep them happy and cats are pretty resourceful.

ss

[jen_in_southtexas]

Thanks for your input ss. I didnt think about the hay but that sounds like a good idea. Down here where Im at it can get cold but sometimes the nasty kind of cold where its drizzly/rainy. We rarely drop below freezing temps but it can happen. Snow around these parts is unheard of.

-j

[neiltina]

I just got two barn kittens about a month ago. I made them a little house and put it in my chicken coop. They used it for awhile, but are now sleeping in the little hay loft above the nesting boxes, not sure why. Warmer, maybe? T

[jen_in_southtexas]

Thanks for your input neiltina. Hay sounds to be good bedding. If the lady still has the kittens on Tuesday they will be mine. They are cute, both brothers that I plan on having neutered. Actually any cats I have I plan on getting fixed whether male or female. I think 2 kittens are enough for now though.

-j

[leera]

You could always do what my Aunt does.......she has cat beds in the garage with heating pads the she turns on nightly for them........

[WileyCoyote]

Our cats preferred the concrete porch. We put up a single wall/wind shelter on the outside perimeter and laid down an old blanket on the concrete. We had a tiny space heater that we put on a shelf and would turn it on when it went below freezing; we set the auto-thermometer very low. A single light bulb in an enclosed area puts out a lot of heat if you hang it from a board up above, too.

Cats are pretty independent and will usually find their own preferred shelter and warmth. Also when the males get older they roam, don't come home much, and the females will beat them up when they do... unless they need them. :o