How to Keep a Feral Cat Warm During Winter?

Ever since the end of May, I've been feeding a feral cat that's been coming around every night. He/she has started getting a little more comfortable around me (I haven't been able to pet it yet though,) and I've started growing attached to this cat. Lately, I've been worrying about what it will do when it's winter to keep warm, and I'd really like to help it out. We've had a dog house in our backyard for forever and I've just started using it to put its food in when it rains, and I was wondering what I can do to modify it so the cat has a warm place to stay during winter. Any suggestions? (this is assuming the cat is comfortable enough to stay in the dog house longer than it does when it just eats by then.)

Check out this recent thread with many good suggestions posted: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/282602/little-stray-showing-up-should-i-keep-feeding-it

Basically, you will need to add some insulation around the sides and probably add some straw for a nice, warm, dry bedding. If you are able to, you can add a side exit to the dog house so the cat will not be cornered in there by a larger animal. You can add some kind of a flap to the outside of that one, making it an exit-only door and keeping the warmth in. If you want to use the dog house as a sleeping shelter for the cat, you will need to move the feeding station elsewhere. Animals do not like to eat and sleep in the same location; it isn't safe. Or you could keep the dog house as a feeding station and build another simple sleeping shelter. 

Lots of options! I also encourage a Google image search to get an idea of what others have done.

You didn't mention whether you have gotten the cat fixed yet, but since you don't know the gender it sounds like you might not have yet. I STRONGLY encourage your looking into TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) in your area soon if the cat isn't fixed yet. It will make all of his/her seasons much happier and healthier and make him/her much easier to tame. I got a big, mean tomcat neutered and a year later he became a cuddly house cat!

The first step in caring for this feral is to be sure he/she is spayed/neutered.  If it's a she, there may soon be kittens and if it's a he, there may be fights and urine spraying.  Have you ever been able to get a look at the back side of the cat?  Tom cats are pretty easy to tell as their testicles can easily be seen when the tail is raised.  Also a tom cat will have large jowls on the sides of their face.  The cat could be a young male that has not developed fully yet either.  It would be great if you could buy or borrow a humane trap.  Many areas have low cost spay/neuter clinics that accept feral cats.  They will spay/neuter, rabies shots and a few other vaccines if you want.  They also will give the cat an ear tip to designate the cat has been spayed/neutered.  There are lots of informational videos available on how to trap a cat.  It's fairly straight forward and lots of us here can help.

Shelters can be something very simple such as a rubbermaid container stuffed with straw or more elaborate with outdoor heat pads or heaters.  Many people start out very simple and then make adjustments as needed.  I started with a rubbermaid and straw and now have a heated house.  The key is to be sure you have an exit and entrance so the cat doesn't feel trapped.  Also never put food in the shelters so other animals don't take up residence. 

Thank you for feeding this sweet one.  Hopefully you will consider TNR.

We use a large styrafoam box normally used for shipping steaks in .we cut circle in long side far to one side. This allows cat to enter and rest to the side of the door and have protection from wind. Also get mens tube sock and pour in rice and tie a knot in the end. Microwave for two minutes ,cover with a baby blankets n put in shelter . Do not over stuff the sock. Want it to be very flexible . The cats like to rest on it so you don't want to make it too firm . This warmth lasts all night till daylight when kitties can warm in the sun. Kitties love this . We use these to warm us too on cold winter nights make great foot warmers

I use an old cooler, I put a rope light in the bottom of the cooler and a piece of rubber(yoga mat) on top the rope light.

https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/9...7dash777L120AM1210&site=www.bing_shopping.com

Kenneth, is the rope light for heat or just for light? If for heat, how warm does it get?

It provides both. I run a extension cord inside the cooler and attach the rope light. I duct tape the connection to the wall of the cooler, this keeps it from getting wet. It also exposes a few  of the light bulbs, providing light. The rubber mat gets about as warm as your normal heated pet bed or electric blanket. It heats up the insulated cooler nicely,  even with the pet door taped open ( my feral will not use the door). Last winter was brutal, I upgraded from a 10' rope light, to an 15'.

This guy has the same idea. His is upside down to let water drain, great idea.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Heated-Outd...502?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418cce73a6

Thank you for the great ideas!