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- Nov 17, 2005
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Hoping to get a collection of ideas to get outdoor cats through cold winters!
Thought I'd start this thread now, not sure about the rest of you, but I'm already thinking ahead.
Things to think about:
Can you use cedar, pine, or aspen chips? I have some aspen chips left over from my gerbil (who went to the rainbow bridge this summer). I had a nightmare of a time trying to find anyone willing to give up straw last fall!
For food - I want to create a winterized feeding box. Last year we simply built a box out of plywood & put a window on top that would slide open. Then some fool (me
) broke the window a month ago.
For water - I have a heated water bowl for most of the cats. I have a second one I haven't yet used, but may set up a second bowl for them. I also have a bird bath water heater to use in the shed (due to distance I must use an extension cord & most bowls aren't to used with extension cords). I just use a normal water pan & put the bird bath heater in it.
I also bought a heated pet mat this past spring on clearance, not sure where I'll use it. I'm concerned about the safety of using it in a doghouse, as I don't feel safe using it anywhere near straw/bedding due to fire hazard. Is that heated pad warmer than providing just straw? I'm just not sure the best place to use it, if its wise to use it, etc. I'm having mixed feelings, and also feel bad as only one or two cats will probably get to use it & beat the others away from it (they don't get chummy even in the cold winters, some are too stubborn to accept other cats readily).
Anyone else care to chime in on ideas?
Thought I'd start this thread now, not sure about the rest of you, but I'm already thinking ahead.
Things to think about:
- Shelter
- Food
- Water
- Where to feed
Can you use cedar, pine, or aspen chips? I have some aspen chips left over from my gerbil (who went to the rainbow bridge this summer). I had a nightmare of a time trying to find anyone willing to give up straw last fall!
For food - I want to create a winterized feeding box. Last year we simply built a box out of plywood & put a window on top that would slide open. Then some fool (me
For water - I have a heated water bowl for most of the cats. I have a second one I haven't yet used, but may set up a second bowl for them. I also have a bird bath water heater to use in the shed (due to distance I must use an extension cord & most bowls aren't to used with extension cords). I just use a normal water pan & put the bird bath heater in it.
I also bought a heated pet mat this past spring on clearance, not sure where I'll use it. I'm concerned about the safety of using it in a doghouse, as I don't feel safe using it anywhere near straw/bedding due to fire hazard. Is that heated pad warmer than providing just straw? I'm just not sure the best place to use it, if its wise to use it, etc. I'm having mixed feelings, and also feel bad as only one or two cats will probably get to use it & beat the others away from it (they don't get chummy even in the cold winters, some are too stubborn to accept other cats readily).
Anyone else care to chime in on ideas?