Insulation For Outdoor Cat House

[kittiekate89]

Going to make my female stray a insulated cat house (with the two plastic totes) but not sure what kind of insulation to use.
My bf said the fiberglass is too dangerous to use for her. Could i use a spray foam or the foam board ones??
It's a tight budget so can't afford the nice expensive insulation.

 

[Kieka]

Straw is a good insulation, just replace it if it gets wet.

 

[kittiekate89]

Don't think I'll be able to find straw.
I'm looking for something to put in between the 2 totes.

 

[Kieka]

Straw can fill the space between the two totes. Your profile doesn't say where you are from but most farm type stores carry it, not hay but straw.

This website has some tips, Building Winter Shelters for Community Cats - Alley Cat Advocates | Trap-Neuter-Release and Volunteer Services for Greater Louisville, KY, but I've never heard of a different recommended insulation. It's cheap, easy to find and can be replaced when soiled or dirty.

 

[kittypa]

Craft stores sell straw, especially this time of year for Thanksgiving decorations. Out here we have a chain of fabric/crafts stores called Joann Fabric or sum such.

 

[shadowsrescue]

Craft stores sell straw, especially this time of year for Thanksgiving decorations. Out here we have a chain of fabric/crafts stores called Joann Fabric or sum such.

Be careful with craft store straw as some of it has been chemically processed. It may be fine for using in between the layers, but not ok for the cats to sleep or burrow in.

Check garden centers. Lots of places have straw now that were used in fall displays. I found a bale once at a garden center that they were wanting to get rid of. When they found out I was using it for feral cats, they gave it to me for free.
Just be sure it is completely dry.

 

[NY cat man]

I built a house for Miss Eleanor, a feral TNR, out of scrap wood with rigid foam insulation in walls and floor, then used tempered hardboard to sandwich and protect it.

 

[Willowy]

Rigid foam board is good, and not too expensive. The hardware store will cut it to size for you if you ask. Expanding foam works great but is tricky to get right. And you end up with a real mess when it goes wrong, lol.

Straw is best for bedding. It doesn't hold moisture, but does hold heat, and is cheap. Garden stores and Tractor Supply should have it. I've never seem chemically treated straw at a craft store, but some decorative "straw bales" are made of paper or raffia instead of straw and obviously that's no good! If it's real straw it should be OK though.