How to care cats during heavy winter

Have you ever care a frozen kitty?

  • No, never

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I did it once, without much success

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • I did it once and adopt the cat in question

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I usually do it, by making shelters

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I wish I can do something about preventing hypotermia of cats

    Votes: 1 50.0%

  • Total voters
    2

solomonar

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Europe is passing through a heavy winter.. Around  100 people died from hypotermia. 

This makes me thinking about what humans can do for the furry population in such circumstances everywhere on the Earth

Although the internet is full of info on this subject, it might be easier to have some basic knowledge and experience in one thread.

This is then to kindly invite every cat lover to share knowledge, experience (including DIY) on how to care of cats during heavy winter, especially the feral ones.

The cat lover from TCS who found a frozen kitty in the garage was another inspirational push for me.  

===

I start by sharing some of my knowledge.

.

Cat's fur is not a polar blanket. The fur can protect against low temperature, but is not designed to do this. If get wet, the fur insulation capacity goes down to nothing. 

The cat lost warm through nose and paws as well. Remember the "thermal bridge" from construction works? 

Now, from geometry and physics we know that the smallest the ratio of surface to volume, the more rapid the warm loss. 

In brief, a kitty can very well suffer a very rapid advanced hypotermia, at the time one notice it.   

At the incipient stage of hypotermia, blankets and warm space is OK. But the more advanced the hypotermia,the more aggressive the treatment is. Warming pads are the next stage (if you cant keep your hands on the pad, that means that it is to hot to use), then it goes to warm air, enema and stomach purging. Needless to say that these advanced procedures to be performed by specialised medical personel.

Also other vet's procedures and specific care adds up. 

The heating pads (hot water) shall be covered in something to avoid direct contact to skin/fur.

Donating heating pads (human ones are ok) is well-spent money, they can be used to new-born as well.
 

di and bob

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Don't forget the importance of food and water during the winter too. I feed whatever cat comes to my station, but especially in the winter. Food is critical to helping a cat endure the cold temps. I have two new ones right now. They look like house cats, but if they are hungry, i won't deny them. I have four shelters out back that are small dog houses, wrapped in quilts (found at garage sales) and with a heated bed inside. A lot of cats won't use them because of the fear of being trapped, but I notice on the coldest nights they are occupied. These heated pads use less than ten watts of energy, so are very efficient and very much appreciated. Amazon has a cat sized one for 11.99 right now, I donated two of them to our local shelter for the little ones or the sick.Most mornings there are cats in a couple of them who are waiting for food, and then they leave. I put my heated food bowls inside clear totes too, to help keep the freezing rain off of them (despite being under a covered patio) which we are having for two days right now. My heart goes out to anything out in this. 
 
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shadowsrescue

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shadowsrescue

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 Amazon has a cat sized one for 11.99 right now, I donated two of them to our local shelter for the little ones or the sick.Most mornings there are cats in a couple of them who are waiting for food, and then they leave. I put my heated food bowls inside clear totes too, to help keep the freezing rain off of them (despite being under a covered patio) which we are having for two days right now. My heart goes out to anything out in this. 
Do you have a link for these heat pads?  I am always on the hunt to have extras.

Thanks!
 
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solomonar

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Don't forget the importance of food and water during the winter too. I feed whatever cat comes to my station, but especially in the winter. Food is critical to helping a cat endure the cold temps. I have two new ones right now. They look like house cats, but if they are hungry, i won't deny them. I have four shelters out back that are small dog houses, wrapped in quilts (found at garage sales) and with a heated bed inside. A lot of cats won't use them because of the fear of being trapped, but I notice on the coldest nights they are occupied. These heated pads use less than ten watts of energy, so are very efficient and very much appreciated. Amazon has a cat sized one for 11.99 right now, I donated two of them to our local shelter for the little ones or the sick.Most mornings there are cats in a couple of them who are waiting for food, and then they leave. I put my heated food bowls inside clear totes too, to help keep the freezing rain off of them (despite being under a covered patio) which we are having for two days right now. My heart goes out to anything out in this. 
The point of freezing food and water is of utmost importance: I have seen a outdoor dog whose water got frozen. 
 
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solomonar

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I have 3 ferals that live on my deck.  I have had one for 6 years now.  Over the years I have done a variety of shelters.  Here is a link to a few that I have done.  In the information is also a link for directions on how to make a heated house.

https://feralcattails.wordpress.com/tips-and-techniques/shelters/

Here are some tips from Alley Cat Allies

https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/winter-weather-tips/
Excelent links!

Still - one question: if the water or food get lower temperature this may jeopardise the cat health? 
 

shadowsrescue

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I have 3 ferals that live on my deck.  I have had one for 6 years now.  Over the years I have done a variety of shelters.  Here is a link to a few that I have done.  In the information is also a link for directions on how to make a heated house.

https://feralcattails.wordpress.com/tips-and-techniques/shelters/

Here are some tips from Alley Cat Allies

https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/winter-weather-tips/
Excelent links!

Still - one question: if the water or food get lower temperature this may jeopardise the cat health? 
I used heated water bowls so they keep the water temperature just fine.  My ferals eat their wet food immediately so it never freezes.  The dry food stays fine too.  They do sell heated food bowls if you have an electric source.

 
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