There’s a chill in the air that comes with fall, and we’re not the only ones feeling it. So do our furry friends, especially when it comes to outdoor and stray cats. Unlike us though, they can’t curl up under a cozy blanket or turn up the heat when the temperatures drop and the days get shorter. Yes, cats have the natural advantage of a warm, furry coat, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally protected from the rain, wind and harsh cold that arrives with autumn.  

The good news is that there are some small and easy things you can do this time of year that makes a big difference in helping them stay warm and safe. To find out how to best help stray cats beat the cold fall weather, we spoke to veterinarian Dr. Ray Spragley to learn all the basics for how to help keep stray cats warm this fall. 

Below, you’ll learn why fall temperature drops are particularly dangerous for outdoor cats and what you can do to help stray cats stay warm on cold fall nights, including how to set up a well-designed shelter for them, along with the mistakes to avoid and the feeding tips to help our feline friends retain body heat when it matters most. 

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Why Autumn Temperature Drops Are Especially Dangerous for Outdoor Cats

Fall weather is unpredictable. It can feel nice and comfortable one minute, then turn crisp and cool the next. Even though a cat’s winter coat gradually thickens in response to cooling temperatures, sudden temperature drops don’t give them enough time to adjust to those rapid changes, Dr. Spragley says. 

“Cats can start to have issues when the temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if it is wet or windy,” he says. “The main risk for cats in cold weather is hypothermia and frostbite,” he warns. Kittens are the most vulnerable to cold, and senior cats, cats with chronic diseases like kidney disease or poor body conditions are also at risk.  

How to Help Keep Stray Cats Warm on Cold Autumn Nights, According to a Vet

“The best way to help a stray cat stay warm is to provide them a small, dry [and] insulated shelter,” Dr. Spragley says. He recommends a small shelter because it can then be heated by their own body heat, and to use straw for bedding. 

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To keep other predators from entering the shelter, he also suggests making a small entrance (so a cat can fit but larger wildlife can’t) and keeping food and water near the shelter rather than inside of it. He advises avoiding setting it up in a spot where the cat can feel exposed or in danger. 

Related: Vets Say These 6 Black Cat Breeds Have the Cutest Personalities

The Bedding Mistake That Actually Freezes Outdoor Shelter Animals

Because us humans use blankets to stay nice and toasty, it makes sense to assume that they should automatically be included in a covered shelter for a cat. In reality, this is actually a common mistake that should be avoided. 

“Blankets and towels are not good for a shelter,” Dr. Spragley says, “because they absorb moisture and can pull heat away from the cat.” Straw is generally better to use than blankets and towels for bedding because it repels moisture and can be packed loosely inside the shelter. 

3 Low-Cost DIY Upgrades That Turn a Basic Box Into a Windproof Warmth Trap

Keep outdoor cats cozy this fall with these easy shelter upgrades to a basic box.

• Line the box with foam insulation. Lining the shelter with rigid foam insulation board is an easy upgrade that’s also incredibly effective. It will help keep the shelter warm, resists water and is very inexpensive. 
• Use a plastic storage bin. “Plastic storage bins with lids are very inexpensive and can be a great shelter,” Dr. Spragley says. 
• Add a self-warming pet pad. Including self-warming pet pads inside the shelter is a simple upgrade that can keep cats warm for hours, Dr. Spragley says. 

High-Calorie Autumn Feeding Tips to Help Felines Retain Body Heat

In the cold, cats actually require about 10 to 25 percent more food because they are constantly burning energy to stay warm, Dr. Spragley explains. To accommodate this, it’s best to feed them a combination of both wet and dry food.

“Dry food is more calorie-dense and won’t freeze,” Dr. Spragley says, while “wet food can provide hydration when other water sources freeze.” However, keep in mind that it will also eventually freeze. 

With this information, you can now help stray cats in your area stay warm as the temperatures drop this season.

Source: 

• Dr. Ray Spragley is a veterinarian at Zen Dog Veterinary Care.

Related: If a Black Cat Crosses Your Path This Fall, Here’s What It Really Means, According to an Astrologer