tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post1808311277752565554..comments2023-12-09T05:23:17.425-08:00Comments on The Very Best Cats: How to Make a Winter Shelter for an Outdoor CatInspiration for Daily Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044558186412524534noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-30190517931901452422023-12-09T05:23:17.425-08:002023-12-09T05:23:17.425-08:00KaD is 100% correct. I volunteer for a feral cat 4...KaD is 100% correct. I volunteer for a feral cat 403(c) non-profit organization. Hay retains water and does more harm than good. Please use only straw. Blankets also do not keep kitties warm in cold weather. Straw is the only viable option. On a related note, I like this inexpensive DIY idea. Thank you!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01505660817065213937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-31203277937697158612020-02-08T09:58:56.823-08:002020-02-08T09:58:56.823-08:00The photo shows HAY being used, that is the worst ...The photo shows HAY being used, that is the worst thing. Use STRAW not hay, they are not the same. Hay will absorb moisture and get soggy and cold, straw repels moisture. KaDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05386100556734258445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-54055830828667167972019-05-15T09:27:18.331-07:002019-05-15T09:27:18.331-07:00NEVER EVER USE HAY!! STRAW IS WHAT THEY NEED. NEVER EVER USE HAY!! STRAW IS WHAT THEY NEED. debdrunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970234040541860972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-1680055973829165132018-12-10T05:19:36.090-08:002018-12-10T05:19:36.090-08:00Agreed.....please change your post to suggest usin...Agreed.....please change your post to suggest using STRAW and not hay. Moisture, mold and will NOT keep the kitty warm. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-1885124405697828202018-10-24T19:42:25.723-07:002018-10-24T19:42:25.723-07:00Please don't recommend using hay in these shel...Please don't recommend using hay in these shelters. You need STRAW. Hay is food for animals and absorbs moisture like crazy, leading to mould growth inside the shelter which will do more harm than good. Straw is dry and won't absorb moisture. PLEASE change this in your video and on your website and do your research before posting misinformation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00881034659127560572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-19645294560804348052018-01-17T17:15:59.565-08:002018-01-17T17:15:59.565-08:00I used Reflectix insulation - found at home depot ...I used Reflectix insulation - found at home depot and the like.<br />It's flexible and easy to install with some duct tape to the container.<br />Also used a lot of straw inside and a layer of seat cushion foam from Walmart (in the sewing section)between the reflectix and the straw. I put a plant pot "entry way" as a rain/snow deterrent. The entry was facing outside the plastic container and could be <br />caulked to the tub. I cut the bottom out of the plant pot and put duct tape along the edges so that it was smooth for entry. I put catnip inside the tub to encourage visitors. <br />I put an exit hole in the tub on the wall beside the entrance, not opposite. This way if wind is an issue there won't be a direct path from entry to exit. I cut a bit of the foam<br />at the entry and exit to make a flap of sorts for added insulation. <br />Never put food or water in the tub - it attracts predators and compromises the straw's insulation benefits. Sorry, no photo. It's too cold to go outside.<br />Suzanne Mathias bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11805037453949544336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-44390089588152895812018-01-05T12:33:45.571-08:002018-01-05T12:33:45.571-08:00WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CALICO "MUNCHKIN" CA...WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CALICO "MUNCHKIN" CAT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MONTHS NOW. SHE HAS NO COLLAR AND SHE WILL NOT COME NEAR US. WE FEED HER EVERYDAY ON OUR DECK IN THE SAME CORNER. SHE WILL COME TO THE STEP AND SHOW US SHE IS HERE. THEN WHEN WE TAKE OUT THE FOOD SHE RUNS TO THE EDGE OF THE WOODS, WAITING FOR THE FRONT DOOR TO SHUT. THEN SHE WAITS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN THE HOUSE. SHE QUICKLY RUNS TO THE FOOD AND WATER IN HER CORNER. I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO GET HER TO COME TO ME SO SHE CAN GET WARM IN THE HOUSE. NO LUCK. I DO NOT THINK SHE BELONGS TO ANYONE AND WE LIVE RURAL SO WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CLOSE NEIGHBORS. WOULD SHE BE AFRAID OF US IF SHE BELONGED TO SOMEONE? I AM TRYING TO GET MY HUSBAND TO HELP ME MAKE AN OUTDOOR SHELTER WITH HEAT. I AM 66 AND CANNOT DO IT BY MYSELF. ALTHOUGH, YOUR IDEAS MAKE ME HAVE MORE FAITH IN MYSELF. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS!STRAWHEADhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06355703914790604430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-10645843261636256252017-11-12T12:12:18.636-08:002017-11-12T12:12:18.636-08:00Use clean STRAW for insulation and bedding (not ha...Use clean STRAW for insulation and bedding (not hay which retains moisture, or towels, blankets etc. they get hard and also retain moisture which can be a health hazard for the cats. Straw is the definitely the best :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285057611415164166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-70502313570595290772017-11-12T12:03:51.551-08:002017-11-12T12:03:51.551-08:00You are exactly right! :-)You are exactly right! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285057611415164166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-63535415594729514862017-11-12T12:02:35.138-08:002017-11-12T12:02:35.138-08:00Yes straw (not hay which retains water) is definit...Yes straw (not hay which retains water) is definitely the best to use for keeping the cats warm. We have made a dozen shelters so far for the community cats in our area. From what I have read, straw is the best for retaining the cats own body heat. :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285057611415164166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-13247269038602844042017-10-30T21:41:46.334-07:002017-10-30T21:41:46.334-07:00Always give a way out in case of predators...Always give a way out in case of predators...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-71362081363201003342017-08-22T22:29:07.408-07:002017-08-22T22:29:07.408-07:00This is such a great resource that you are providi...This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://bestpetlove.com/best-outdoor-cat-house/" rel="nofollow"> best outdoor cat houses</a><br /><br />moeezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350446801714366236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-58356221540592269932016-12-15T08:03:49.136-08:002016-12-15T08:03:49.136-08:00I'm interested in the bin with the simple cut-...I'm interested in the bin with the simple cut-out, even I can handle that! :-)<br />To re-ask from an earlier comment, is there a concern with critters (raccoon, skunk, opossum) cornering the cat if the shelter has only one entrance/exit? On the other hand, if there are two openings, does that un-do the whole point by allowing air flow to come in and blow away warmth??Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07928371771779519034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-69476674762874240612016-11-17T20:30:31.437-08:002016-11-17T20:30:31.437-08:00Can you recommend a brand/site to buy straw? I am ...Can you recommend a brand/site to buy straw? I am looking to make a few of these shelters for all the outdoor cats. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07761074665851029346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-61251493928280887712016-10-25T17:53:19.722-07:002016-10-25T17:53:19.722-07:00Hay is a no-no. If you want to keep your cat or ca...Hay is a no-no. If you want to keep your cat or cats warm throughout winter - please, insulate your cat shelter with STRAW.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09320333266542161170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-21733617853985572332015-12-01T05:12:05.559-08:002015-12-01T05:12:05.559-08:00Thank you for posting this information. I have a ...Thank you for posting this information. I have a kitty visitor who comes every night exactly at 5:30 pm for dinner. He is so friendly and I was afraid he was lost. After much searching for his family, I did find them only a mile away from my home. They said he got out and never came back. Sadly, they don't want him anymore. I cannot keep him in my house as I already have 3 kitties (indoor only) and the outdoor kitty (who we've named Freddie the Freeloader) will not stay indoors. Actually, when I've tried to lure him onto my porch, he panics and gets very anxious. He just wants to be outside. I will always feed him, but this is an excellent idea for a winter shelter! I had only one extra idea to add. How about putting a heated cat mat in there? ToniTonilockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298820564390060235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-81261746510845122532014-07-18T10:40:16.077-07:002014-07-18T10:40:16.077-07:00Please do not use hay for bedding. I've read i...Please do not use hay for bedding. I've read it can cause respiratory problems in cats among other things. According to Alleycat Allies: Bedding: Straw resists the wet and keeps a shelter warm, and is the best choice for insulation and bedding. Be sure to use straw—not hay—for feral cat shelters.RoMahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02890850866121517176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-67119452791319714962013-08-06T04:48:44.287-07:002013-08-06T04:48:44.287-07:00Thank you so much for helping with our ever over p...Thank you so much for helping with our ever over population of unwanted cats! I love this idea. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13852291452394097112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-2028977735172723192013-02-11T09:36:13.564-08:002013-02-11T09:36:13.564-08:00This is exactly what I needed! My cousin bought me...This is exactly what I needed! My cousin bought me a cat and it doesn't have a home yet. I could definitely use this tip for my new home in <a href="http://www.stratfordgreenapartments.com/" rel="nofollow">Stratford Green Townhomes</a>. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026221158568584597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-53258864364709420412012-10-05T12:31:17.037-07:002012-10-05T12:31:17.037-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199735211163495309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-71358766057337154722012-10-05T12:31:02.124-07:002012-10-05T12:31:02.124-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199735211163495309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-55990634671340686702012-10-05T12:30:01.499-07:002012-10-05T12:30:01.499-07:00Cedar and blankets retain moisture - straw should ...Cedar and blankets retain moisture - straw should be used. Can use insulation purchased from home repair store or even styrafoam for insulation. Straw can usually be found at home repair stores as well, if not year yound than near fall/winter months.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199735211163495309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-15057616754493484662012-05-29T07:56:20.196-07:002012-05-29T07:56:20.196-07:00This is the good blog with good pictures and detai...This is the good blog with good pictures and details. Please keep on posting the more stuff. I will like to hear more from you.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682429689468715135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812911713850162127.post-18296529062317689122012-04-18T22:38:42.317-07:002012-04-18T22:38:42.317-07:00Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so muc...Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. 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If a cat is in there and a racoon comes along and wants in then theres going to be trouble. I am wondering if there is another opening on the other end?nikkibean37https://www.blogger.com/profile/17118824121427615563noreply@blogger.com