This is an out-of-the-ordinary question, but here goes. I have several feral cats--would this be a decent option to provide them with some shelter from rain, snow and wind during the winter?
65744
The inside stays dry and I suppose you could leave the bottom zipper and the side zipper open a little but depending on how hard the wind blows it may get wet with them open.
65745
There is an air vent near the top of the structure. Other than that, I don't know. There is a warning about using it as a tent for camping, so I don't know what that's about. It's pretty tall. You could probably put one of those cat scratch structures in it. The ones with various sleeping pads. Are you expecting to close it up so they stay in? The front entrance is pretty large, since it's for people to get into and out of the structure.
65746
feral tom cats will spray on this type of fabric and you will never get the smell out. Actually I have used the covered litterboxes and thrown old towels or rags in for outside cats for shelter
65747
It might be, but a better one would be perhaps a rabbit hutch (new if you can afford it, used if you can't, or homemade, and with a solid rather than mesh floor) so that they would be above ground. There's plenty of room inside this, but not a good way to allow access and too much wasted space unless you put tiers inside it. Better for cats than rabbits, anyway -- rabbits should *not* be kept outside!!!
65748
I think YardStash II for feral cats would be considered overkill. There is so much room it think you would do better with a small pup tent or even a pet shipping crate. I guess you could keep the bottom and flap partially unzipped for access if you are determined to use it.
1508710
This cat flap is not really the kind you would want to use on an exterior wall, although you could make it work. I used it in a window and it was leading out to a covered porch. However i have 7 cats and i think it would be fine for a little wind. I have since purchased an exterior cat door ( had to get med dog door for fat cats) and it actually has 2 flaps with very strong magnets. If you are installing on outside of your house, that would be much better. However it cost 96. which is a lot more than brown cat flap.
960917
Hello Bryan Paul I would say no because it is not weather treated and may warp and not be sturdy. After a blowing rain if you do just for when,you need it not to be left out there cats like to scratch and Sun warping might happen
174400
i use mine on an open porch, have used this type for years. porch is set back, but roofless. could try slitting an old Styrofoam cooler and feeding cord thru slit in back....i feed feral cats and use them for both wet food and water. for food i but a stainless pan with water in first and then a more shallow pyrex over with canned food in. works well. hope this helps.
1321404
I would not keep food in it. Wild animals might come and attack the cats. Also, this house is great EXCEPT it needs a back door for outdoor kitties. This makes strays feel much more safe and they would be way more apt to use it. It also should have a door flap on it. Best to you in getting your kitties to use it. We had a cat family 2 years ago that used it all winter. But this year, the newest outside cat family would NOT use it until my husband cut a back door in it. Now they are using it. But it does need door flaps. I hope this helps!
674016
These mats work great for outdoor animals during the winter to keep them warm. Get a large Tupperware container, cut a hole in it for the opening, cover the bottom with towels, put 1 or 2 of these over the towels without overlapping them, then cover the mats with one layer of towel for insulation. Now your cat or other animal has a nice dry warm place to sleep when it's cold outside. Also, no they cannot be pierced easily.
759342
Just keep the cat inside a warm home. Or inside somewhere its warm like humans live in. Just wondering. Sounds like you don't need a cat box shelter, need to keep it inside a warm place so it can run free.
503891
It should be great for that. There is ALWAYS a cat getting toasty on this mat! They absolutely love it and wish I had found it a long time ago!
1365091
I'm sorry to say that my feral cats would not use it. It is a good box and I don't know why they won't use it.t24bear@aol.com
1239863
I would suggest only using this in a protected area (away from heavy rain/wind) as it is rather light in weight. We have it on a covered porch and our feral cats (2-3 at a time) curl up inside it.
1920311
yes, it is great for outdoor weather..I live in Pa where it is very cold in winter and hot and humid in summer and rainy in spring...I purchased it for the rear of my yard for stray cats in the area.......its been outside for a year now and is still like new
1946535
I have had feral cats for 8 years and never had problems with wildlife in any hideys that I have used......they come and eat the food but don't seem to go near the hideys.
1569595
We placed ours with the door facing away from the elements too. I also believe Feral cats do not like to be closed in however, I would think you could place something on top that was larger around than the house, making it have eaves so to speak. You could use a circular piece of wood (painted if you want) or anything round for that matter. ie large garbage can lid (its plastic and has a small lip), or the base of a large flower pot turned upside down which you could glue onto the top. I'm sure there are some creative ideas out there that wouldn't look tacky!
17685
I think it is fantastic and it worked wonderfully for the feral cat in my yard. She took to it immediately! But it is round, and i do not think there is room inside for a heated water dish or food. it think the water would spill as the cat entered and exited - and the same for the food.
150091
I had made a small cat house from Rubbermaid containers (instructions on line) and the instructions called for hay as a base and I put the self warming pad on top. The cats like it so I am sure it should work for dogs as well. Obviously the cats can't tell me. My sister's cat is indoor and she uses it all the time. So far 2 of my sisters have the outdoor cat houses for feral cats with the pads. It has to be better than just a towel or whatever. I would get the largest size for a dog house. Good luck
293724
What F Funney says is true. It is made of very cheap plastic, though, especially for the price. There are two "panels" attached to either end of the plastic tube. One has already been blown off- it was only held in place by a small rivet.It works for feral cats, but is far from what I expected.You could probably do better with a wooden crate, if you can find one.
1591851
I think 50-degree temp is not cold enough for the cat to feel he needs shelter. I found once it got really cold, the stray outdoor cat used the cat house and even brought along his feral friend. They continued to use it after the winter.