Where Do Stray Cats Sleep In Winter?

In this article we’re going to talk about where do stray cats sleep in winter

Especially now that we’re heading into winter it’s important to know these kind of things

Why?

Have you ever seen any stray cats around your neighborhood

You must be wondering, where do they go? How do they survive in the winter?

And most importantly, how could you as a cat lover or cat parent help keep stray cats warm during winter

So if you want to play your part and help stray cats in winter then you’re going to love this article

Sound good?

Let’s get started!

Usually, if you’re indoors and can still feel the chill, then it’s likely that your cat will feel it too.

[su_note radius=”4″]Related Article – How cold is too cold for cats in a house [/su_note]

However, it takes quite a drop in the temperature to get felines to avoid the tiled flooring and seek a warm hidey-hole.

It’s not uncommon to find your pets snuggle into a blanket during the winter season. 

But, not all cats have the luxury of a safe home unfortunately

Feral or stray cats are felines that are born without a pet guardian on the streets.

So, these less fortunate creatures develop heightened survival skills early on.

When the weather turns cold, felines with their triple coats of fur do fine in most cases. 

When the temperature goes below zero, many organizations such as PETA recommend trapping or euthanasia for strays as mercy.

Not everyone agrees with this point of view, especially not the cats.

Most people attempt to find ways to help ‘strays’ around them during winters.

Furthermore, they try to look for the best DIY ways to shelter them. 

You see, it’s a rare sight to see your pet shiver.

But, outdoor cats, without a haven, can suffer from hypothermia and can even freeze to death.

DISCLOSURE: http://catloverhere.com/ is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.

Can A Stray Cat Survive Winter?

In most cases, cats can survive winters on their own.

As mentioned earlier, the fur on a feline is designed to conserve body heat, so trembling in cats is as scarce as hen’s teeth.

You will be amazed at their survival instincts and their heightened sense of self-preservation. 

Communal cats don’t just survive.

Outdoor cats are known to thrive in most climatical conditions and locations.

Although it’s important to remember that cats can get sick from cold weather 

Feral cats have several spots where they take refuge in the cold winter months.

But, if you’re interested to know where cats do tend to hide out to outlive the cold season, continue to read on.

Where Do Stray Cats Go When It Snows?

As it is, cats don’t require a lot of room to snuggle.

The cozier the place, the better.

Frequently, ‘strays’ are found under the hood of cars, where the engine gives off heat hours after being turned off. 

Another safe space for cats during the snowfall season is the pile of recyclable cardboard boxes waiting to get disposed of in the garage of your extremely lazy or busy neighbor.

Also, many local charitable organizations make it a point to build random shelter spots for ferals, be it cats or dogs. 

Where Do Stray Cats Go When Cold?

In most cities, many animal shelters exist to provide outdoor animals with a place to stay.

These shelters often try and get locals to adopt communal cats.

However, cats don’t like to be in cages, in general.

So, you’ll find that strays try to avoid capture. 

Outdoor cats are accustomed to living life dangerously.

Having nine lives helps a great deal too.

But, if you’re concerned about the well-being of outdoor cats, you do not need to worry.

Because it can get too cold for a cat to be outside 

Ferals aren’t captured and killed by most animal shelters.

And, nine out of ten times, cats are perfectly capable of caring for themselves.

Stray cats cover over a two-mile radius under normal circumstances.

But, in winter, they stay in warmer spots for longer and conserve their energies for hunting only. 

Many cats may disagree with overly caring humans as they too seem to think that they are perfectly able to care for themselves.

But, if you want to make it easier for feral cats during winter, then there are many things that you can do.

Let’s find out what you can do to keep a stray cat warm in winter

How Do I Keep My Stray Cat Warm In The Winter?

Hunting for food becomes quite a task during snowy weather, so the first thing that you can do is to provide your strays with extra food.

Increasing portions also helps as cats need to consume more to generate extra body heat.

Most vets recommend wet food over dry food for easier digestion.

Therefore, it makes sense to switch to dry foods that do not freeze in frigid weather and take a while to get digested so that the cat doesn’t feel hungry often.

Keeping heated electric bowls is not possible for everyone.

So, try using a plastic container as that does prevent freezing for some time.

Also, try spraying the base of plastic containers with insulation foams.

Furthermore, you can make a home-made heating pad by filling fabric pouches with rice.

It is possible to heat these pouches in the microwave.

So, if you see your feral is cold, you can heat the DIY heating pad and make your kitty comfortable again.

Another option you can do is buy a outside shelter for a stray cat

Something like this 

You can check out my article – How to keep a stray cat warm outside in winter 

Final Words

Strays are universally friendly, and some even show signs of gratitude when treated with meals or a warm place to shelter.

So, the next time you encounter a stray during winters, take some time out to give a helping hand. 

Try making a DIY rice heating pad, or try and build a make-shift shelter insulated with cardboard with an ever-ready supply of food and water.

Even the slightest effort on your part can make a huge difference to stray feline struggling through the cold months.