Kim in Appalachia Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 We have a cat, she "adopted" us last winter. We could never have her indoors, I am too allergic, but we've taken care of her (had her shots, had her fixed, etc...) She's a friendly cat and likes to sleep up on the back porch so she can see us (our back door is mostly glass). Right now she is sleeping in a basket filled with towels and a fleece blanket. Last winter she kept to the shed, but I don't know if something else has been in there or she just wants to be closer to us. She's been staying on our porch. I've been worried that it too cold, so I looked at a heated cat house on Amazon. We could put in on our porch. I don't know how she would like it. We also have a dog that makes her nervous, and he could get to her. Right now, the basket it up on old paint cans. (I know, not a nice sight, it's just how it worked out). My dh and my dd17 think I'm nuts. As a kitten she did fine last winter. There is no reason that she won't do fine again. It gets cold here, but we are a bit south, so it's not like being up north. I know part of this is my guilt. She is such a cute cat and so social, but there is no way we could have her inside because of me. But the question is: Would you buy an outdoor cat a heated home? The house is around $70, not cheap, but everyday for the past week I've wanted to click to buy but keep holding back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I would!If you want a slightly cheaper option, there are many groups that put out these feral cat houses for winter shelter & you could use the same idea.Cats & dogs can freeze to death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 oh, & also there might be a cheaper option - like one of these pads. I have an indoor one & they're great. Pressure sensitive so they only turn on when the animal is on the bed & they don't get too hot.http://cozywinters.com/shop/kh-002-004.htmlThis store has lots of neat things for pets. My old arthritic guys love their stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I would. You're a good person. It's cold outside. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes. My neighbors' were going to buy one of those or build a feral cat house until a couple weeks ago when they managed to catch the cat that had been hanging around here. He had been getting used to them for a while. We think someone moved away and left him months (maybe close to a year) ago. Dh wanted to adopt him until neighbors spoke up. I thought dh was crazy (dh is allergic to cats), but I wanted to help to because the kitty was getting thinner. Anyway, neighbor got him to come in her house and then got him in a cage (my doggy's travel cage) and whisked him off to the vet. He hasn't been outside since. He was kept in the cage inside for a few days too (as they were advised). I think kitty thinks warmth and food is a good deal. He has a tape worm and is being treated for that. I don't know why I told that whole story. Anyway, yes. If you don't want to get the house I think you can get a heated bed. If your outdoor cat is already on a sheltered porch, maybe a heated bed is enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogMom5 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes, as long as I could afford it, I would. I couldn't sleep at night thinking the cat was freezing. Agree that you are a good person. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 I bought it!!!! I can't wait till it arrives. I will clean and rearrange the porch for it, and try to set it up in a way that makes her feel safe. I think it will help that we'll be away for a week (and so will the dog, we take him to a kennel). We have someone come and feed the cat. So she'll have a week to get used to the house without the dog around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes, I would. Of course, I'm the person who fed the stray cat, then made a warm bed on the porch, then made an enclosed box because it was getting too cold, then let the cat inside because it was getting really cold, then let the cat stay until he died fourteen years later at age 19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I think you rock Kim!! :D I would have bought it in a heartbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 My dh did this YEARS ago. He got a little cat-yurt and stole my heating pad and put it in there for the cat. I had to go buy a new heating pad for me. (He's very sweet.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes, I absolutely would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bensmom Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Hope kitty loves the new house! We have something similar for our latest stray. We put her house on the back deck with her door facing our window so she can see us and we can see her. We love being able to see her and know she is safe and warm. (I also put a thermometer out there on some of our colder nights to reassure myself that she was cozy. It was 6 degrees outside and 60 degrees in her little bedroom :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 :hurray: Yay - I'm so glad you got it! I totally would too. Kitty is so lucky to have you. :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes, I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMWB Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 This thread has inspired me to by an outdoor heated pad for our dog - first time it has caused me to spend money on non-homeschool items - lol. But now she has a Christmas present, and I won't feel so guilty leaving her outside when we go to nighttime or afternoon into evening activities and I do not want to leave her in the house (she has a tendency to urinate on the carpet, sigh, only when we are not home). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I would have totally bought it. Even living in Florida, where we only have a couple of freezes each winter. But I am the one who puts a sweater on my dog when it's under 50 degrees. :). Kitty is blessed to have you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I would because there could be days where it is downright dangerous for her to be out. We have a lot of strays around here. They are pretty hearty, but we've had days cold enough to kill some of them. I might sound mean, but I've already got 2 cats and I can't afford to save the zillions of strays around here. Various people feed them. Sometimes we get lucky and someone finds homes for them, but we just seem to have an ongoing collection of them around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Yes. My neighbor had a stray kitty adopt them that lived outdoors (she had it spayed, vet checked). It loved its heated house. Every night she slept inside it. If there was a ton of snow she moved cat and house into the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 That's really sweet. Are you planning to TNR the kitty as well? That would be the logical next step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 That's really sweet. Are you planning to TNR the kitty as well? That would be the logical next step. The first post states that she had her fixed - it's been a year since she adopted them, so they would likely have quite a few grandkitties already if they hadn't done so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Ach, serves me right for skimming. Now I am a doofus. (Again.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Ach, serves me right for skimming. Now I am a doofus. (Again.) Welcome to the club. Your informational packet is in the mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Welcome to the club. Your informational packet is in the mail. LMAO...I want the packet too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I had *no* idea they made those. I hope your cat enjoys it and that it doesn't consume much electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Welcome to the club. Your informational packet is in the mail. I hope there isn't too much to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Yes, I would, too. I'm glad you are helping poor kitty. Too many people are rotten to cats. I adore them. I have chosen to lose count of the number of barn and dumped cats living here. I'm sure some would think we're nuts but it's sad to see them succumb to winter. We leave our pump house door propped ajar and have heat lamps in there. In addition to the warmth from the boiler, and the fact that there are plenty of other kitties with whom to cuddle, it's fairly cozy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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