Need help with an outside cat house for winter

[avebury]

I have a Petmate Kitty Kat Condo, Mouse Gray which is big enough for 2 cats although I only see one cat in it at any time. I am trying to decide if I need to get a second cat house. The problem is that neither cats used the one I have on a regular basis. I could get a second Kitt Kat Condo and try a The Kitty Tube - Outdoor Insulated Cat House - Feral Option with Straw Only AND AWNING ( http://www.amazon.com/The-Kitty-Tube-Outdoor-Insulated/dp/B0079RO530/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1415198763&sr=8-6&keywords=cat+houses+for+outdoor+cats). I just concerned about spending a lot of money for something they may not use.


Last winter I thinkg that they spent most of the time under by backyard porch and seemed to survive a nasty winter. The decking does not have the boards flush with one another so I plan on getting some sheets of wood to lay on top of it to block any wind to make it more windproof. I used to slide dishes of food in and out under the porch to make sure that they got enough food in the winter.

I am not good at arts/crafts/construction stuff nor do I have the tools to try the storage bin with insulation do it yourself stuff.

Any suggestions for something to try that cats might use and won't cost me an arm and a leg it they don't?

[riderinthestorm]

1. I use the styrofoam cooler cat house/shelter method

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Winter-Cat-Shelter/

Easy, cheap, effective.

[Spaldeen]

2. Yes!

I use one of these. Kitty loves it more than being cooped up in the back room when its cold and I dont have to chase kitty down when it is cold! A win for both of us.

[avebury]

3. What have you used for insulation? nt

[riderinthestorm]

7. I used straw since I have it readily available.

I also used old barn towels - also readily available for me but you could use an old blanket or rags.

I think the whole thing cost less than $2.00 because I got the coolers from Goodwill too...

[hedgehog]

4. A small, dry spot with a windbreak should be enough - as long as they can

conserve body heat, they're in good shape. A nice dry spot in the sun for good days is a bonus.

Best of all is a big furry dog to sit on in the sun. (Boy - I wish I'd thought to take a photo back then of Lassie and Garfield!)

[avebury]

5. Under my back porch was probably a good

place for them last winter. This year I will by some sheets of wood to lay on top of the porch to keep the wind from getting to them. That way they will have a nice big spot to get out of the elements when it is really cold.

[hedgehog]

6. The feral cats that survive are the ones who know how to find shelter -

if they selected under your back porch, you can bet that's a good spot. (and - it will keep mice and skunks away!)

[avebury]

8. They are really not feral cats.

It is a Momma and her daughter (about 2.5 and 1.5 years old I guess). She had her litter under the house next door. I think that she dumped her babies elsewhere when they were old enough but this baby followed her back. I took them to the City Shelter where the Humane Society put them in the spay release program and they found their way back to my property where, apparently, they decided to live. Momma (now Sophie) is really sweet and loves attention (even more then food). Her daughter is more interested in food but will let me pet her on her terms). They are curious about the house but are not ready to come inside. I have a 15 year old dog that probably wouldn't want them in the house. When the time comes and my dog passes to the Rainbow Bridge they will have first option for moving inside if I can get them to.

[hedgehog]

9. Sounds like some of the cats that chose to move in with us.

Sweet animals.

[TuxedoKat]

10. I made a cat shelter

I took a large plastic storage tub with a lid and turned it upside down. I cut a cat-sized hole in one side so they could easily step in and out. Inside I put one of those specialized heating elements for outdoor cats. It sits outside on my vegetable porch so it is protected from wind, rain, etc. I put it on top of old rugs to insulate it from the bottom. I put old rugs, down coats, blankets, etc., on the top and sides to insulate the outside of the tub too. Plastic bubble wrap would work well too. I put a blanket or pad on top of the heating element too so it is more comfortable for the cats. It is quite pleasantly warm in there on the coldest days and the cats use it all the time in the fall, winter and spring when it's cold.