Outdoor Cat Care: Are heated houses safe for feral/stray cats?

As you care for your outdoor feline friends, you may wonder if offering a heated cat house to strays in cool weather is safe. We all want our pets (and their random outdoor buddies) to feel cozy, but is it the right thing to do?

The quick answer is yes! But, before you put a heated kitty house outside, learn how to do it safely and what features it should have to give your outdoor cats the best care.

How to Care for Feral and Stray Cats

A feral or stray cat is simply a cat not officially owned by anyone and roams free. Strays are often abandoned or lost animals that were once friendly pets. Feral cats are generally the offspring of strays, are shy of humans, and have not been neutered or spayed.

Of course, all these felines deserve and appreciate having a human friend assist with their basic needs, including warmth and safety. Cats that live outdoors tend to grow a "protective coat" to manage winter better. But sometimes that's not enough protection from the cold weather elements. Outdoor cats are susceptible to frostbite on the ears, paws, and nose. And if their fur gets wet, the insulating benefits of their fur coats are greatly reduced.

Offering a heated cat house, food, and water to outdoor cats can make all the difference for their comfort and, ultimately, survival.

The best cat shelters are just big enough for a few cats so their body heat can circulate and keep the cozy space warm. A door flap helps keep the wind out and minimizes the amount of snow and rain getting in the shelter. The entrance to the shelter should be big enough for cats but not for predators like dogs.

It's also best to elevate the heated cat house off the ground a few inches with a wooden pallet, cinder blocks, or bricks to keep the structure from getting wet during snow melt or rainy days. Finally, place the kitty house inside a garage, barn, or shed that has free roaming access to offer even more protection from wind and precipitation.

Note: If it's possible to humanely trap, neuter/spay, and return (TNR) the cat to where he was found, you can help control the population of free-roaming outdoor cats. Check with your local veterinarian office to learn about TNR groups.

Are heated cat houses for outdoor cats a good idea?

Yes, heated cat houses are a good idea for stray or feral cats. This type of shelter provides warmth, safety, and comfort during cold weather.

As you shop for outdoor cat houses, keep safety in mind. For example, all K&H heated cat houses are safety certified by MET Laboratories and tested to meet or exceed UL electrical safety standards when used with 110/120-volt electrical outlets, both indoors and outdoors. Electrical pet products that are not safety certified can be extremely dangerous.

This means you can confidently choose any of the heated kitty houses below and know you're providing outstanding shelter for outdoor cats.

K&H Thermo A-Frame Heated Cat House

This cozy kitty bungalow measures 18" long to create a snug space for one adult cat or two smaller kittens. The K&H Thermo A-Frame Heated Cat House features a waterproof patented heated floor system to warm the house and removable door flaps to keep the weather out.

K&H Thermo Mod Kitty Shelter

Consider this dome-shaped, zip-together design outdoor cat house to keep a few cats warm. The K&H Thermo Mod Kitty Shelter measures 21" long and includes a K&H Small Animal Heated Pad with fleece cover to offer extra warmth during cool weather.

K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide

If you have several outdoor cats to house, the K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House Extra-Wide, made of weather-resistant, heavy denier polyester, offers 26.5 inches (length) of cuddle space and two exits. This outdoor kitty house can be used heated or unheated.

K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House

This heated, weather-resistant outdoor cat house measures 22" in length, creating a cozy shelter for an outdoor cat. The K&H Thermo Outdoor Kitty House also offers two exits (with removable door flaps) to keep the cat extra safe. This kitty house can also be used unheated. 

K&H Thermo-Kitty Cafe

Place a K&H Thermo-Kitty Cafe next to a heated kitty house so your cats can eat and drink in all seasons. The unit is heated to prevent water and food from freezing in the winter. Both stainless steel bowls detach from the Cafe for easy cleanup in a dishwasher.

Offering Stray Cats a Warm Home

You know how much you appreciate stepping into a warm home on a chilly winter day. Offer that same respite to the stray and feral cats in your community. A heated kitty house paired with an electric feeding station offers the animals both safety and comfort in winter.

This article is part of our Outdoor Cat Care series. Be sure you're following us on Instagram for the next post, "How to Build a Safe Cat House for Ferals/Strays." In the meantime, learn more about outdoor cat care in Gaining the Trust of a Stray Cat and How to Get a Feral Cat to Use a Cat House.