sleeping and feeding for ferals

buffy2011

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I read about ferals sleeping and eating conditions but still not sure what to do. Winter is coming and I want to start to get a sleeping and eating station ready for my two ferals. I tried to feed them up high but one will jump up and the other one didn't, so I ended up feeding it on the ground. Maybe I didn't give it enough time before I felt bad and put the food down for her. Then this created a problem of raccoon's. Which we will try to eliminate this year, no more feeding after dark. Not sure if I can do that because I feel bad if it is real cold out. Anyhow my question. Should I make two houses, one to eat in and one to sleep in? And I'm not even sure that they will sleep in it. I have there feeding area very close to my house so I can use heated bowls if it is cold. I also had the sleeping in the same place. I know it was matted down but that was because they had to go in there to eat. But a few times when I went to feed they took off out of there, and then I felt bad that they weren't warm. That's why I'm wondering how far away to have the sleeping, but I still think they will run when I come out. I hate to bother them but I have to come out and feed them. Do raccoon's wander around in the winter that I have to worry about them? This is only going to be my second year with the ferals. So from all the trial and error I had the first year I would like to make this perfect for them.
 

shadowsrescue

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I have 2 feeding stations that are on my deck elevated just a bit on bricks.  I only feed during day light as I too have raccoon problems.  The raccoons are scarce in the winter, but they still can come around.  I sometimes leave out dry food on very cold nights but once the racoons find it, they won't stop coming.  Here are my feeding stations.  DH built them from some plans we found on line 4 years ago.


As for sleeping quarters, I have multiple places.  They each have their own rubbermaid container that has a heat pad in the bottom.  I have openings in the front and side.  Sometimes they choose to just share one.  I also have one large heated house where they can snuggle up together.  This is their preferred place in the winter as they like to use their body heat to keep warm.


I have the shelters under a tent like structure called a Shed in a Box.  It's 6'x6' and I love how I can take it down after winter.  It keeps the shelters dry and out of some of the wind.  The rubbermaid containers were super easy to make and very cheap.  Here is a picture of the small rubbermaid up close.  My indoor boy is modeling.  I insulated the container with Reflextix insulation sold at Lowes.  It's easy to cut and easy to attach with duct tape.  I insulated the top, bottom and sides and then the heat pad on the bottom. 


Each year I make modifications based on the previous winter.  I have tried quite a few shelters and really prefer the ones I can make myself or my DH can make. 

You can also do a google search on outdoor cat shelters and feeding stations.  There are some really great feeding stations that just use large rubbermaid containers.  When I first started caring for my first feral, I used a rubbermaid on its side for the first 6 months. 
 

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I keep the food bowl on the opposite side of my porch from the pet house. I keep dry food out during the daylight hours with a plastic owl in front of it and aluminum foil attached three quarters of the way around the bowl with a rubber band to keep birds out of the food. My feral knows that he gets wet food and fresh dry food at daybreak and sunset, so he usually appears during those times. If I do feed him when it's dark out, I sit beside him on my porch so raccoons and other wildlife will not approach. I do not put food inside his pet house for a few reasons. First, I have straw and a heat-reflecting cushion I use in the house during the winter, and I do not want a food mess in there. It's designed to be snug to preserve his body heat.  My feral will come out of his pet house to eat even during the coldest weather; he will eat, and then return to his house. Second, I don't want to ever attract other wildlife or cats to go into his house to seek the food. There's an entrance and an exit on the house, but in very cold weather I throw a sleeping blanket over the entire house leaving only enough room for him to wiggle in underneath the edge of it--so this has to be a safe zone for him, and I don't want any hungry raccoons trying to get in there with him. His house is about 5 feet away from his food bowl.
 
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buffy2011

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Sounds like Shadow Rescue and yourself have feral cats that are more tame. Mine will bolt if I even open the door. I want to start feeding them right before dusk and would hope that they would go in and keep warm in the house that I am going to make for them. I'm not sure they will go into the winter shelter. The fact that they can't see what is coming might be a problem. Maybe some how I can add clear plastic as a side so they can see out. Also is it safe to put a heating pad into them. I've read a few places and I think that is what they are using. I thought that was unsafe. It tells you right on them not to lay on them. Then also I was trying to be nice and have it warm where they were eating. Just out of curiosity what do you do in the summer? I need to use my back porch in the summer but I hated to move there food in fear that they won't go to it. If I can I will take a picture of where I have one of the feeders. I wanted both cats to feed off of this but one of them just didn't jump up there, so I felt bad and stated feeding her on the ground. I should of waited her out. This just caused raccoon problems with the food being low. This is going to be my second year feeding them, so I don't have a real spot set up yet but will they find it no matter where I put it.?
 

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They may bolt when you first come out the door, but when they realize you are the food source they will come back.  You can start to entice them with yummy edibles.  Have you tried baby food or plain cooked chicken.  If they know you are the food source they will come back. My two have been around for 4 years and one year so they are quite used to me.  Yet at times they will both run and hide when I come out only to return a bit after I am safely inside.  I need them to be close to my house so it is easy for me to feed and pick up the food. 

I feed the same location all year long.  The feeding stations are used the entire year and the shelters only in the fall, winter and spring.  The first year I started putting out shelters in October.  The feral didn't use them at all the entire winter.  Yet by the next year he was used to my deck and used to me.  I would always go out and sit on the deck and talk to them.  Even when they were under the deck.  This allowed them to get used to my voice and the sound of my movements. 

You can see through the plastic containers where you cut the holes.  That is why I like using the clear plastic as you can see them inside.  The heat pads I use are approved for outdoor useage.  Here are the two I use: This one is soft sided and only heats when pressure is applied.  
This one is hard plastic and is always warm and also a bit bigger   

I have used these for 3 winters now without an issue.  I also have used the microwave heat discs   Yet these a a pain as you have to heat them and they only stay warm for 4-10 hours depending on the outside temp.  This past winter when it was brutal these did nothing for me.  I used them instead to place wet food ontop to keep it from freezing.

I see now reason to place the food up high if you are picking it up when it gets dark.  Racoons don't come out during the day and as long as you watch at night they should be fine eating off the deck/patio or ground.  I elevate on a brick to keep the water and bugs off.  Here are some pics of some winter feeding and shelter ideas. 
I found most of my ideas doing search after search as well as searching here on the cat site. 
 
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buffy2011

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Wow!!! those heating pads are quite expensive. I did buy two heated bowls for winter that helped out alot. Then this summer I bought two ant bowls, which didn't work to well. Your surface has to be perfectly level. So I designed my own which are working quit nicely. The reason I wanted to have there feeding station up high was because of the raccoon's. But that's where I have to get my other feral to jump up and she hasn't. Feeding on the ground is another issue, I have a neighbors dog that comes and eats the food. Didn't know until I caught him on camera. So I have an old plastic lounge chair that I wrap around where the food is. My concern is that I wanted things to look nice and not to have all kind of stuff junking up my porch, which neighbors can see. I ended up with two feeding stations and I only wanted one. The one cat comes to the one on the ground first, then goes to the one up high. That kinda made me mad because now I'm not sure what the other one really is getting to eat. Do you feed soft food all year or just in the winter? I think that is why he stops and eats first. I didn't start changing the feeding yet, but I did start to put the food out earlier, because I think one of the cats are coming earlier, then maybe they will come earlier. As long as it is cooler out I can do that because I have to watch if it is to hot I had maggots. But I had an idea to stop that and so far it is working. Anyhow like I said I didn't really start that yet because one of the ferals I have to catch in a few weeks to get neutered. Then they will start on a regular schedule. I just worry that they will go without food if I take it in. And in the winter if I am going outside after dark to get the food and scare them out of there shelter, that's what I don't want. How many times day do you feed your ferals? The shelter with the adjoining roof seems pretty nice. That's a thought. I have to keep things close if I want to use plugs.
 

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If you start now they will get used to you coming in and out.  They may run out of the shelters when you come out, but once you go inside they will go back.  Do you spend any time with them?  Go out and sit on the porch with them and talk softly.  Even if they are in the bushes or surrounding area, they will hear you and get used to your voice.  They will quickly learn you are the one with the food.  Also tell them that you will have food out for them morning and evening, but you need to pick it up before bed because of other wildlife.  Tell them this daily.  I believe in the power of talk. 

I feed my ferals morning and evening.  They get both wet and dry all year round.  I leave dry food out all day, but the wet food is only left out until they finish or when I leave.  I don't get wildlife during the day.  My neighbors cats come visit sometimes during the day, but they don't eat much.  The food is picked up each night between 9 and 10.  I keep an eye out for any critters. 

I never put food of any kind in their shelters as I don't want to attract wildlife to their space.  I have never found a way to keep the racoons out of the food at night.  I have a table with an old shelter on it with a very small ( 5 inch) opening.  During the winter I would leave dry food out, but the racoons always found a way to get inside.  I tried putting a covering over the door, raising the table, putting flashing around the table, etc... It was a no win situation. 

Start working with the ferals now.  Start slowly and by winter they will be more used to you.
 

msaimee

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My feral is a true feral, and used to bolt from me, too. It took a while for him to learn that not only am I his food source, but I provide shelter for him in the winter and take care of him when he's sick or injured. It took some time, though. It takes feral cats a while to feel comfortable going into a pet house or shelter--they need to feel safe and know that they can have an escape route if needed (from other wildlife and humans--which is why my feral's pet house has an entrance and exit). Last winter, I actually covered my cat's entrance and exits with blankets and a sleeping bag because of the bitter cold and he spent a lot of time in there because he knew he needed to in order to survive. It's not necessary to use a pet heating pad. You can use a heat reflective cushion (which you can get for 20 bucks on ebay or amazon) and cover the inside of the shelter with straw. Use straw and not hay, because hay retains moisture and straw does not. You can purchase a large bag for straw for about 2 dollars at Agway. The cat snuggles under the straw and can stay quite cozy even in cold temperatures. It can take a while for the cat to start to use the shelter, but once they do and see it's safe, they will make a habit of using it. The food should always be kept separate from the shelter. Whenever I open my door or come up to my porch when my cat is in his shelter, I talk softly to him so he knows I'm the one approaching. Over time, he has become accustomed to the mail man and my neighbor coming up to my door without running away. Again, it takes time, but it can be done.

I agree with Shadow. It's very important to talk and even sing (if you have a nice, quiet singing voice) to the cat to socialize it. When I feed my cat in the dark, I talk softly to him because he knows he is safe with me, and also to keep other wildlife away because they don't want to approach when a human is there. I know what you mean about having your porch turn into an untidy cat shelter. Last winter I felt my porch was "ghetto" with the blankets I had draped around my porch railings to provide protection from wind and blowing snow, and the sleeping bag I had draped over the pet house. I didn't care, though. My neighbors know I love this cat.

Isn't your neighbor's dog on a leash? How is it that the dog is able to eat the food on your property? Is it possible to have a talk with the neighbor and explain the situation?

If there isn't a water source like a stream near your house, then it's important to feed wet food year round, especially in the winter when whatever water sources that are available are frozen. I feed a half can of fancy feast twice a day for my feral and make a moat of water around it in the bowl. There are times he doesn't eat all the food, but he always drinks all of the water. My feral doesn't like the taste of my tap water, which is why I don't leave a bowl of water out, but I suppose each feral is different. If your feral drinks water out of a bowl, then it's not so important to give canned food every day (which can get expensive).  

In the end, anything you can do for these cats is a real blessing to them! It doesn't matter what kind of shelter you provide or what kind of food you are able to afford--you are taking care of them, and if you neuter/spay and vaccinate them against rabies and the Herpes virus, you are giving them the gift of survival.
 
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buffy2011

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I never know when these ferals are there. I never see them half of the time. They only come after dark. The one use to be around in the daylight but after I caught her and had her spayed I didn't see her for three weeks then now she comes around after dark. This is the one that I think is starting to come earlier now. I did notice that they are around about 5 in the morning. But the only thing out there is food left over from the night before. And the only food there is from the night before is on the table and for some reason she doesn't jump up there. But I guess I have to start them on a schedule and I think that would be a good time to start if I want to get up that early. Trying to get some pictures to send of there feeding station now as soon as I can figure out my camera.
 
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buffy2011

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Trying to respond to you and ShadowsRescue both so read both because I might of answered something you said in her response. My neighbors dog comes over when they let him outside. He sneaks over. Actually we told them that there dog has been over and we haven't seen it in a while until the other day. He was able to get access to the food until I found out he was eating it, now he can't. They live across the street and he had already got hit with a car once. Never see them to talk to them. Once I came out and the black one took off but he only ran part way and then turned around. I did what I had to do and went back into the house. He's the one I have to catch to get neutered soon. If they don't stay in the warm place I make for them where do they go? I can't imagine them to travel real far in the deep cold snow. Like I told ShadowsRescue I will send some pictures. Over the 1-1/2 years I have been feeding them I have made so many changes to accommodate them. Trying to get something safe and warm for them. 
 

shadowsrescue

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Try the rubbermaid containers stuffed with straw.  Most cats love it and do very well in the straw.  Just be sure to have 2 openings.  Here are a few ideas;

http://www.craftcats.org/learn/?content=build-cat-shelter

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_FERAL_CAT_WINTER_SHELTER

http://mousebreath.com/2012/01/rubbermaid-subsidizes-diy-feral-cat-shelters/

Just be sure to have 2 openings.  These are the most economical ways to have shelter.  You could start with just the rubbermaid for now as it is too warm for insulation or straw right now. 

I would definitely not leave food outside all night even up on a table.  Racoons can climb and you never know what other wild life is out there.  Take the food out in the morning and again in the evening.  Pick it up before you go to bed or sooner.  Since you have been feeding them for a 1.5 years they know you are the food source and they will come back. 

For shelter, cats may burrow together under porches or decks.  My feral used to go under my neighbors screened porch and sleep up against their house for warmth.  They may even make a bed out of grass, leaves or other debris.  You may need to place the shelters in various locations as they may not want to be out in the open.  I had mine wedged under my deck the first winter. 
 

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They find places to go in bad weather--in garages, under cars, beneath porches and decks, beneath wood pile tarps. Other people in your neighborhood might even be providing shelter and food for them. I was surprised to learn how many neighbors have fed my feral and other cats that have come on my block. Feral cats are resourceful and will not sit out and allow themselves to freeze. They also put on weight (if they are being cared for) and their fur grows and thickens for the winter. If we have another winter like the last one, your providing something special for them will make their lives so much easier. Feral cats only travel in the cold if they are looking to mate, so once you get the male neutered, he will likely stay close to home. Anything you do for these cats will help them, and you are wonderful for caring so much about them.  
 
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buffy2011

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Here is the ant free dish I made myself instead of using the ones I bought. I fill it half way up on the outside and freeze them. This way if it is real hot outside it keeps the food cold and then we don't have fly's laying eggs on it right away. Works great. 


Here is my one cats feeding station. The other cat never goes up there. It needs to be a little higher. The rug on the side with the brick on it is for the raccoon. The raccoon can just barely reach the table and there's really nothing to grab onto but the fact that it is up against the house it used its claw feet to climb the brick. And then it pulls the rug down and the brick might hit it, so it really hasn't gone back up there for a while. I just wished I could get both cats to eat from that spot. They say raccoon's really can't just jump up if it is high.   I know they can jump back and forth from stuff. But my solution is after reading alot, is to get a table that has only one center support and I am going to put a big top on it that the span from the raccoon and his arms to the end of the table is to long that he can't reach. But this also would have to be away from my house, but not sure if I want this in the middle of my yard. So maybe if I just raise it up a little more I may have it licked. This is next years project.



This is actually both cats other feeding station. Its a big tote and I have a big piece of styro foam over the top keeping the rain out. If you look at the first picture they go in on the side of the bench. This is a new feeding station so the raccoon's for some reason didn't find it yet. I did have this on the ground but I picked it up. So now off to building a winter one. I wish I would of started to feed them somewhere else, but then I would of had to walk in the snow to feed them. I didn't want all this on my back porch, especially if we have company. That's why I want to make something that isn't an eye sore. 
 

shadowsrescue

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I really like the setup o the table and the blanket hanging down is a good idea.  I have a similar table with a feeding station on top, but the little devils (racoons) always find a way to get up.  I have seen the picture of the table with only the center support and my DH has offered to build one, but I think I am done trying to outsmart a raccoon.  They always seem to win!!

I completely understand you wanting to keep your back porch nice looking and be able to have people over without feeding stations and shelters everywhere.  My deck is now nothing but a cat sanctuary.  During the summer months the only thing on the deck for the cats is the feeding stations and a scratching post.  So it is useable for us, but my ferals are tame enough now that they will hang out on the deck all day and night.  It is their home.  We still use the deck and have people over, but we now have a smaller patio out in one corner of the yard.  It is away from the cats so they are not always being disturbed.  When I have people over they all know me well enough to know about my ferals and what I do for them.  I clean up the toys and their blankets, but the rest is just a part of our deck now.

Have you ever tried a trail camera to see if/when the raccoons come and when the ferals come?  I borrowed one from my brother and it took great pictures.  I have wireless surveillance cameras that take pictures from a few locations.  They are great, but also tend to have many technical issues that drive me crazy!

I forgot to add that I love the idea of keeping the cats food cold during the hot summer.  I don't have any problems with ants as the feeding stations are elevated enough off the deck and the deck is elevated off the ground too.  Yet, the flies this summer have been awful.  Fortunately my two seem to eat the wet food right away.  I have more of a problem in the bitter cold of winter keeping the food from freezing.  Last winter I used the microwave heat discs and microwave heat packs and placed them under their food.  It did work, but was such a pain to heat each disc and then keep reheating as needed.
 
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buffy2011

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I do have a trail camera, that's how I know about the cats and the raccoon's. I have it running every night to see what time my black cat is coming so I know when to trap him when the time comes. That's how I know the neighbors dog was coming over also. I had such a problem this last winter with the food freezing. I would put it out and 5 minutes it was froze. So I got heated bowls. They are great. I had a hard time finding a second one because everyone was out because of the cold. I was told the almanac said we are going to have a bitter cold year again. So I may think about getting another one now before the price jump. I take a cool whip bowl and cut it down height wise to fit the heated bowl, it sits in there perfect. Then I just exchange bowls when it is feeding time. It was to hard to clean them where I had them and I couldn't move them because they were plugged in and I had all the wires covered. Being kept out of the wind they worked really good, never any food left in the morning. Walmart was the cheapest if you are looking for one.

If you look at the one leg of the table that you can see barely, you can see a brick. I have a brick under each leg to lift the table up higher so the raccoon's can't jump. The plastic leg is hard for them to climb and they can't reach the table from the leg. But like I said they have the side of the house and the little bit of leverage from the table and had gotten up. But after pulling the rug down and getting hit in the head a few times I think they gave up. But next year I have to raise it a little higher and I think it might work. But the camera will tell. I am always looking how to make them warmer and things easier for them. My husband said next you will be putting a/c in for them. He gets kinda mad that I spend alot of money on things for them.

In the feeding station on the table, right behind it on the ground is the window well. I was afraid that they might jump in the window well and break a leg. So I made a piece of wood that slides back and forth from the shelter to the house so I can get in there to change there water bowl. That whole box was a trial and error place right after winter. I had to figure something out fast. It is covered in plastic and my roof held the water as you can see. I tried to keep the opening facing the house under the overhangs to block any weather.
 
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buffy2011

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Just ordered another heated bowl from Walmart. Not sure if you are near one and are interested. But when I got on line to look it up it was only $10.63 and I almost fell off my chair. It was never that cheap. I know last year when I was looking they were triple the price and alot of people were out of them. They are really nice to have. I ran mine on an outdoor extension because my cord wasn't long enough from my outside light and it was fine. I just covered the connections with something. Just thought you might want to know since you didn't have any. If you are interested I hope your Walmart has them for the same price.
 

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Just ordered another heated bowl from Walmart. Not sure if you are near one and are interested. But when I got on line to look it up it was only $10.63 and I almost fell off my chair. It was never that cheap. I know last year when I was looking they were triple the price and alot of people were out of them. They are really nice to have. I ran mine on an outdoor extension because my cord wasn't long enough from my outside light and it was fine. I just covered the connections with something. Just thought you might want to know since you didn't have any. If you are interested I hope your Walmart has them for the same price.
Thank you so much for this.  That is an awesome price.  I may order one to have as a spare.  I do have one, but this price is great.
 
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