How to Keep Outdoor Cats Warm in Winter

Whether you care for a community cat colony, have a cat who spends time outdoors or feed a neighborhood stray, winter can be tough on outdoor cats. Cold temperatures, wind, snow and ice make it harder for them to stay warm, find water and get enough food. Here’s how to keep outdoor cats warm in winter and spot signs that a cat needs help.

Bring cats inside when you can

The safest place for a pet cat in winter is indoors. If your cat usually goes outside, consider keeping them in during very cold weather, storms or at night. Community cats (feral cats) may not adjust to living indoors, so giving them good outdoor shelter is the best way to help.

Build or buy an insulated shelter

A good winter shelter protects cats from wind, snow and cold. Alley Cat Allies recommends shelters that are:

• Small, so the cat’s body heat warms the space. A shelter for two or three cats is ideal
• Insulated, with foam board or a double-walled design
• Raised off the ground, using a pallet or bricks
• Waterproof, with a sturdy roof
• Equipped with a small door, about 6 inches (15 cm) wide, to keep out wind and larger animals
• Facing away from the wind, or with a flap over the door

Simple DIY shelters can be made from plastic storage bins lined with foam.

Use straw, not hay or blankets

The best bedding for outdoor cat shelters is straw. It stays dry and lets cats burrow in for warmth.

• Avoid blankets, towels and hay. They soak up moisture, freeze and pull heat away from the cat
• Replace straw if it gets wet or dirty

Keep water from freezing

Cats need fresh water in winter too. Water bowls can freeze quickly in cold weather.

• Use a heated water bowl if you have a safe power source
• Choose thick plastic bowls, which freeze more slowly than metal
• Place bowls in sunny spots out of the wind
• Check and refill water often

Our article on whether your cat is drinking enough water explains signs of dehydration.

Provide extra food

Cats burn more calories to stay warm in winter. Offer a little extra food, and feed at the same time each day.

• Dry food won’t freeze as quickly as wet food
• Wet food can be served in insulated containers, or near a shelter
• Build a feeding station with a roof to keep food dry

Watch for winter dangers

• Car engines: cats often crawl into warm engines. Knock on the hood or honk the horn before starting your car
• Antifreeze: tastes sweet and is extremely toxic. Clean up spills and store it safely
• Ice melt: can irritate paws if licked
• Frozen ponds and pools

Our pet poison guide covers other seasonal hazards.

Signs a cat is too cold

Cats can get hypothermia (low body temperature) or frostbite, especially on the ears, tail and paws. Watch for:

• Shivering
• Lethargy or weakness
• Pale, gray or blue skin
• Cold ears and paws
• Stiff, slow movement
• Hiding and not eating

If a cat seems very cold, weak or unresponsive, bring them somewhere warm and contact a vet right away. Our guide to pet emergency signs explains other urgent symptoms.

Help your community cats year-round

• Support trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs
• Keep feeding schedules consistent
• Check shelters after storms

Frequently asked questions

What temperature is too cold for outdoor cats?

There’s no single number, but below freezing, 32°F (0°C), cats need good shelter.

Can I use a heating pad in an outdoor shelter?

Only pet-safe, outdoor-rated heated pads, used exactly as directed.

Questions about a cat in the cold? Ask a vet

Talk to a licensed vet 24/7, even on holidays, by chat, voice call or video call. Your first month is free with code FREEMONTH, then US $9.99/month, at NYPTeleVet.com. One membership covers up to 6 pets, and you can cancel anytime.

Our vets can’t prescribe medication, but they’ll tell you what’s likely needed and when an in-person visit is the next step.

Sources

• Ten Winter Weather Tips for Outdoor Cats, Alley Cat Allies
• Outdoor Cat Cold Weather Tips, Alley Cat Allies
• Top 4 Tips to Help Cats Outdoors in Cold Weather, Alley Cat Allies