Heating outdoor cat shed

newbielou

Hi, the cat I look after was a stray, she has now made my childrens play shed her home, this is where I feed her and i have installed a cat flap etc, she is extremely friendly but she really doesnt get on with my dog. Whereas the shed is more than adequate at this itme of year I am worried about the cold come winter, is there anyway I can safely provide a source of heat for her in there. My first thought was something along the lines of an electric blanket or pet mat, but there is no mains power running to the shed, so is there anything like this that is battery powered that I could buy for her. I know its a little early to be thinking like this, but shes had a hard life and I dont want to abandon her to the cold in the winter.

Thanks

Raksha

A small secure well insulated space would probably be better for her than providing heating. You could use loft insulation or similar around a carboard box on its side. The main thing is limiting drafts and damp. You can get pads which you heat in the microwave that retain their heat - you can put them under the bedding to provide a small heat source, but I'd be concerned that this would 'run out' in the early hours of the morning, just when it's at it's coldest.

lostinrates

newbielou wrote: »

Hi, the cat I look after was a stray, she has now made my childrens play shed her home, this is where I feed her and i have installed a cat flap etc, she is extremely friendly but she really doesnt get on with my dog. Whereas the shed is more than adequate at this itme of year I am worried about the cold come winter, is there anyway I can safely provide a source of heat for her in there. My first thought was something along the lines of an electric blanket or pet mat, but there is no mains power running to the shed, so is there anything like this that is battery powered that I could buy for her. I know its a little early to be thinking like this, but shes had a hard life and I dont want to abandon her to the cold in the winter.

Thanks

This doesn't solve the problem with no electricity, but I have seen ''pig lamps'' used extensively, and we use them ourselves for cats and dogs. But they do need a source of electricity I thought I'd put this in in case someone else searches for a similar topic and finds this thread.

For the day time there are tubes you can put in the garden tht are shiny metal and ''capture'' the heat from he light that are meant to be warmish to sleep in throgh the day.

I found this:http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Keep-Outdoor-Cats-Warm-In-Winter
http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/cat_newsletters/catnewsletter16.html
http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/core/WinterShelter.htm

if you google there is a lot but those were the first three that came up for me.

ka7e

2 of my cats sleep in an unheated conservatory and they have "igloos" lined with cheap fleeces. An igloo in a cardboard box, raised off the ground , should be quite snug. You could line the box with polystyrene tiles and/or tin foil for extra insulation!

nanokitten

What ever you do it might be wise to design insulation/lining which can be changed/cleaned as if its warm and cosy you may get a build up of fleas etc.

newbielou

Thanks very much everyone for yor suggestions, i'll have a go at some of the suggestions, I also figured it may be easier to get her to come in the house, if that doesnt work i'm sure we'll come up with something safe and comfortable.

Thanks again

ebsay2000

newbielou wrote: »

Thanks very much everyone for yor suggestions, i'll have a go at some of the suggestions, I also figured it may be easier to get her to come in the house, if that doesnt work i'm sure we'll come up with something safe and comfortable.

Thanks again

thats sounds the best thing.

even if you just shut her in the porch or kitchen away from the dog.....

anythings beter than being out in minus zero temperatures in winter!

newbielou

The dog is ok with her, he just wags his tail, but she tries to bat him away and i'm scared of her scratching him badly. I also have an almost crawling 6 month old so i'm going to be patient with her and try to work her upto coming indoors in the next few months, ill start her off feedng her indoors so at least she has a nice reason to come inside.