Need To Keep The Cat Warm

[Janet]

Okay...our new family member is an outside cat. I just can't stand the thought of the cat hair and the spraying in the house. So, Ricky made a 'cat house'...lol..and put a nice bed in it and the house is in the garage. Do you think the cat will be warm enough out there? I would like to keep her warmer, but I don't want to have a fire hazard either. On my route I see cats out in the weather and they must be use to it because they don't act cold. Think she'll be alright? You can tell...we've grown quite attached to her.

[gja1000]

Yes, I think she'll be OK, but you could maybe put a light bulb in her house, if it is big enough. I bet Rick or Ricky have one of those shop lights (to work on cars) that is a bulb on the end of a long cord. If so, you could hang it from the roof of the house (inside) so it would be warmer, if the house is big (tall) enough.

[Janet]

It's not tall enough, he build it small but wide enough to fit the bed in. Thought it would be better to keep the body heat in. Guess we'll just keep an eye on her and if she looks like she is really cold we could always put her in a crate and bring her in over night. We don't keep the back room as warm as the rest of the house so it should be okay once in awhile I would think. I don't know.

[gja1000]

Yeah, you are right, if the house is small, her body heat will likely be enough and if it gets really cold, just bring her in!

[Janet]

I don't know much about cats, but Rick grilled some pork chops this evening so I took out the bone in mine and gave it to the cat. She was so happy!!! I could darn near see her wag her tail...lolol. We sure are getting a big kick out of her.

[JJJ]

Cover the house with a thick cover.

[Janet]

Say what??? She is an outside cat...will she get the scoots? Did I do a bad thing?

[gja1000]

Say what??? She is an outside cat...will she get the scoots? Did I do a bad thing?

Since she's an outside cat, she most likely eats LOTS of things so I don't think she'll get the scoots. LOL! Cats eat birds, mice rats, etc etc. I don't think she'll get the scoots from a cooked pork bone!!!

[DianaB]

Your cat should be fine. We had outdoor cats and we always just let them fend for themselves as far as a place to sleep and keep warm. They're pretty tough animals.

I think that Jessi meant to cover the cat house with something to help keep in the warmth. We always covered our dog house in hay to help keep the dogs warm......actually when it's really bad the outdoor dogs sleep in the garage.

[judy]

I think the house will be warm enough, especially if you put a warm cover over it. If it's really freezing, Ricky can put her in his room in a crate with her litter.

They are very hardy little buggers! I would worry too though. You're an animal lover! Can't blame you for not wanting her in the house though. I would keep a cat if I could let it be an outside cat. We have coyotes somewhere on the mountain though, so I won't do it.

I also would not want a heater near her house, because of the fire hazard.

[JJJ]

Your cat should be fine. We had outdoor cats and we always just let them fend for themselves as far as a place to sleep and keep warm. They're pretty tough animals.

I think that Jessi meant to cover the cat house with something to help keep in the warmth. We always covered our dog house in hay to help keep the dogs warm......actually when it's really bad the outdoor dogs sleep in the garage.

Lol, yes that's exactly what I meant. Sorry, I need to learn to write everything I'm thinking. English is my worst subject.

[Janet]

We do have a couple thick blanket type quilt things covering it. She has a nice thick bed and I put one of those sheepwool things in there too so she could cuddle up in it. I must be getting soft....LOLOL

[judy]

Awww! You are a good Mama!

[DianaB]

You've always been soft when it comes to animals, Janet!!

[Janet]

Thanks ladies...

[Janet]

Have to say....I'm really loving this kitty. Wish I could bring her in, but don't need another animal in the house. She's just so sweet!

[DianaB]

Unless you have them de-clawed they're not good house pets. The one we had scratched on the corners of the couches and the speakers on the tv. If we would have kept her longer I would have had her de-clawed. So bringing her in might not be the best idea.

[Janet]

I know they can be quite destructive, plus that spraying thing they do. I won't have one in the house, but she's just so loving. She has done a complete turn around since she first showed up. I think she is staying warm enough and for the next few days it will be 58 degrees. We just make sure she has plenty of water and food and even warm some of the food up.

[gja1000]

An outdoor cat is great for keeping the mice population under control - but - she might do fine indoors. We had cats growing up that were indoor/outdoor cats. We didn't keep a litter box indoors and I don't ever remember the cats "going" indoors on the floors. They always slept indoors at night and were in and out during the day. It might be a pain to let her in/out though, idk.

Usually when a cat has been outdoors, it doesn't like to be indoors all the time. And believe it or not, some cats do not scratch the furniture or curtains - especially if they get to go outdoors and hunt and wander. Our indoor/outdoor cats never scratched the furniture. So, if you are inclined, you might try her indoors a little bit. It might work out. But then again, it sounds like you have a really good set up the way things are!

[Janet]

I'm sure she'll remain an outside cat. It's like a zoo in here now. She is a hoot though. Has given us lots of enjoyment.

[Janet]

Tomorrow Ricky (no matter how he's feeling) and are taking Brenna to the vet for her annual vaccines and taking the kitty in for hers. This is a first for me....I've never taken a cat to the vet. Ricky is paying for the cat. Gonna be a trick getting her there...lol. I think I'm going to try one of the dog harnesses in case she gets lose in the office. It's going to be an adventure for sure.

[JJJ]

Janet you are so a wonderful person taking that cat to the vet. You really are getting attached to her.

I remember having a mix bobcat once and I don't ever remember him scratching any of my furniture. All thought back then I didn't have much. He did his business outside and everything.

I don't know if he wonder out or if he was stolen but that was my only inside cat I ever had. I got him when people were just giving away kittens :)

[Janet]

Surprisingly to me...the kitty did great at the vet. She even let Ricky put a harness on her and put her in a carrier. Blew me away....LOLOL. The whole time we are at the vet the staff kept watching how she (the cat) would keep her eye on Ricky. So funny. She really is attached to him. She would walk away from him for a minute and then hurry back to him. Anyway...she's vaccinated now except for her booster in a month. Then we'll see about getting her spayed asap. She's approx. 9 months old and weights a little over 6 lbs. Vet said she looked very healthy and well fed, good coat and teeth. The kitty is also called something like Tortiss shell????? I need to look it up...need to find out exactly what and how to spell it. LOL Oh....and she really is a SHE!

[Blueyes]

Tortoise shell kitties have such a pretty coat! They are my favorite, and I'm not a big fan of cats, either! My friend Jan has a cat, and she never scratches in her house. I guess it just depends on the cat. It was that cat's lucky day when she found you and Ricky!

[Janet]

Aww thank you Betsi. She sure is entertaining.