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]

Originally Posted by Janet

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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...