Expert: Karen Craft - 8/28/2009

Question
Hi there,
I have four cats who I cannot keep inside because my dad is allergic. I was staying with my mom but she is an alcoholic and left me so I had to move in with my dad, and I really, really love my cats and I want to keep them. They are my best friends. If it is not at all possible to make an outdoor living space for them that is suitable for them to be happy and warm, I will look into finding them homes but I truly need to try. I always spend a lot of time with them so they would not be lonely in a shed... I would probably end up sleeping in there with them myself! I'd take them outside in the day, have lots of toys for them to keep them from being bored. Is there anything I am missing? This all started with my one cat, who I got from some "friends" who didn't want her. They kept her outside all winter with a barn (not heated) for shelter. So that was warm enough for her but would a shed be? A few weeks after they gave her to me, I figured out she was pregnant. That's how I ended up with three more cats.
How cold is too cold for cats? I live in Ontario, Canada, so it gets quite cold here in the winters, down to -30 celcius at times. I found a shed that is 10 x 12 that I want to buy, but would that be suitable? I can put in windows, insolate it ect. Would I have to heat it electrically or would they be okay just with the shed? I have heard that hay/straw keeps them warm, but that would worry me because it doesn't seem like it would be THAT warm? I can't spend too much but the shed I was looking into buying costs nearly $400 anyway so that gives you an idea. Have you ever heard of anyone doing this? Do you have any suggestions? Is there anything I need to know?

Answer
Hi Amanda,

Is there any chance that they can have just one room in the house for themselves with you? They can be kept in the one room with no problem if you can do that. You can use a draft stopper on the bottom of the door so that cat dander doesn't get back in the house. If not a shed is fine. You don't need it that big. The smaller it is the easier to keep warm. Lots of people have shelters for outside cats. I make one for my ferals. You should insulate the walls and under the floor. Make sure the windows you put in are at least double paned.

Hay is good. Straw is better. You can also use blankets and cat cubes. In cold weather cats like to curl up under stuff. If you can heat the shed that would be great. It doesn't have to up to what it is in the house but it should be at least above freezing. Here's something that will work great. http://cozywinters.com/shop/kh-3093.html
This too would be great. http://cozywinters.com/shop/hound-heater.html
Tractor Supply has this. http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-care/pet-beds-pet-bedding/petsafe-reg-universal...
I don't know if this helps but it has some interesting stuff about building a shelter. http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/core/WinterShelter.htm
And some links about cats and cold.
http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/cat_newsletters/catnewsletter16.html

Make sure you get this for them. http://cozywinters.com/shop/fi-heated-dog-bowls.html?source=base
They need water that won't freeze. And their food needs should be increased. Here's another link about cat foods. http://catinfo.org/index.htm
I hope this stuff helped you. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen