Outside Cats in cold weather?

Question

There are kitty prints in the snow sometimes on my patio, and I live in a townhome subdivision, so it must be a lost kitty or somerthing, not a wild one. I have been seeing the prints now for about 2 weeks, so I put out a box turned on its side with a bowl of food in it, I have noticed that the food is being eaten, but I have yet to see the kitty! If I see him I will let him live in my garage.

Its getting really cold here, I live outside of Chicago, its been like anywhere from 20 to 7 degrees, and I was wondering if the kitty will survive out there when it gets this cold. Do you think he will be able to live out there that cold?

Answer 1

House cats can survive a short while without shelter in cold weather. Feral cats in almost any climate are not very long-lived.

Your cat may be semi-feral. There are a number of cats in my neighborhood (where it's snow-free year-round) that seem to get by even though they're always outside. I'm thinking my own cats may be gaining weight by crying outside the neighbors' doors while I'm at work, and getting fed as if they are desperately hungry strays. (They're really big...)

Maybe the one you've seen is just out for a bite. If you're not seeing cat droppings in your yard, it may have a place to call home. If you are, it may still have a home but still visit your yard to relieve itself.

Answer 2

Most cats can survive those temps if they have enough food to eat and a place to get out of the wind. You are providing the food. And I am sure there are places for it to go, under bushes, in hollow places of trees, etc.

It could be the cat has a home already but likes being outside. Ask your neighboors if they have a cat that is like this.

Answer 3

I think so. I live in colorado and it has been pretty cold here to. One of my cats is an outdoor cat, she will not come inside. She has a heated dog house, w/ a blanket that uses her heat to warm it up, heated water dish, fresh food and water, plus kitty treats and someone out there w/ her for at least 30 minutes, she loves to sit on us. Plus her old cat bed with two heavy(ones a black carhartt, the other an old winter coat)on top of it and a bunch of old thick scarves inside. Even though she has all of this stuff, she chooses when its under 10 degrees farenheit outside to sit on op of her bed or stroll the neighbor hood. I would consider buying a cheap cat bed and throw a blanket in there too, thats how we got our most recent cat, a stray named Jack, who now is an indoor cat.

Answer 4

That is not an easy question to answer. You've already done exactly what you should for it. Maybe put an old blanket or towel down for your annonymous furry friend and that ill help alot with the cold. Cat fur is amazingly warm and you would be suprised at what they can withstand. Just keep checking and maybe this kitty will let you put him/her in your garage after all.

Answer 5

yes as long as it's not a cat that has lived indoors all of it's life. I live in Canada and it get real cold up here and growing up I had outdoor cats ( Although my parents said they were strays) and they all survived other animals were more of a danger than the cold cat are very resourceful and can always find shelter. Keep up the good work though I love hearing about ppl taking in stray animals

Answer 6

If he finds a spot that's out of the wind, he should be OK. Make sure your box is turned so that the open end isn't facing the prevailing wind. If your neighbor cat can get good shelter in the box, you might just find him in there, rather than just seeing his footprints around and seeing that the food has been eaten.

Answer 7

I had a stray outside my town home he made it thru three winters before I brought him in. He was just fine. A neighbor boy doused him with lighter fluid and tried to light him on fire. I rescued him and we've been buds ever since. He hates all people but my famliy. He has escaped my house twice once on anight that was about10 degrees out and I worried all night since he had gotten used to being warm. The next morning he was in my window looking sheepish and begging to be let in that was the last time he traded warmth for freedom though.

Answer 8

Chances are that the adoption contract you signed with the rescue stipulated that he be kept indoors. Unless you are going to train him to leash and harness, then you need to keep him indoors. Sooner or later he's going to wander out of the yard, and no collar or microchip keeps a cat from being hit by a car and left to die on the side of the road. Or from getting picked up by animal control when th e neighbors get tired of him pooping in their yard.

Answer 9

Yes, he will live. We live on a farm with way too many cats! It's frigid here too, but they are doing very well. We keep food out for them and water them daily. It's wonderful you are concerned and are feeding him/her. You might put out a little water, too. If you have an old towel, make a small bed for it in it's box if it has room.

Answer 10

yes, he'll be okay. Cats are made to survive all sorts of weather, their fur thickens up and their internal temp will adjust. Keep feeding him, and he'll show up when you're around. If you have a good spot for it, leave a cardboard box with a blanket inside out for him to curl up in if he pleases. I'm from Illinois too, and grew up around farm cats - they all made it just fine!