Mary Allen
If you want to feed stray cats in winter, a few tips and tricks will help you do something good for the homeless velvet paws in cold temperatures.
Stray cats have a hard time finding cat food and water in cold temperatures. If you want to help such an animal, a little handicraft work is required first. And when it comes to feeding yourself, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
Nice, Warm Shelter
In wind and weather, a small shelter where stray cats can eat safely and warm up is a nice idea. And you can easily build them yourself! Cover a large box (e.g. a moving box) with weatherproof tarpaulin. From the inside, line the walls with styrofoam to effectively insulate the emergency shelter. A thick wooden board under the box ensures that the cat does not get cold or even wet paws. Using large scissors or a carpet knife, cut an entry hole in one of the sides. It should be just big enough for a cat to get inside. Finally, put some straw in the box and put in bowls for the stray velvet paw to use.
Provide Food & Water
Even if wet food is generally healthier for cats: When the temperature is below zero, you should give your four-legged friends dry food, because the wet food would quickly freeze and become inedible. Fill the bowl up every day and give it a thorough clean in between to keep pathogens and parasites from building up in it.
It is best to put the water you provide warm in the bowl so that it takes a little time to freeze. In general, you should always check whether the water is still in a liquid state or not. A warming plate for babies or a heated bowl can also help keep the water drinkable for longer. Frozen or not, change the water daily because cats have a hard time finding fresh water in winter. Old, stagnant water can harbor pathogens that are harmful to stray cats.
How to Best Care for Stray Cats in General
It is commendable that you want to help homeless cats with shelter and food during the winter. But it’s also important to keep an eye on the health of the stray. If an adoptable kitty is injured, showing signs of illness, or seems generally very weak, you should take her to a veterinarian. At best, they even castrate the stray.
If a trusting and apparently very well cared for cat appears regularly in your garden or nearby, you should first check whether it is registered and has a chip, for example. Very few cats wear a cat collar, as it can be dangerous for those outdoors. Possibly the furry nose ran away and can’t find its way back home. Then you should notify a veterinarian, the nearest animal shelter, or even the police.