I have 3 stray cats that live outside here in west Tennessee. I’m concerned about the winter cold. My thought is to put in a commercial flap door in an 8’x8’ wood shed so they can come and go as they please. Right now they have (2) 50 gallon Sterlite plastic totes outside that I’m lining with 3/4 “ Styrofoam as well as adding a few inches of straw in case there is a problem with the shed idea. The totes have 6” diameter entry and escape holes.
(1) I thought I’d run an extension cord from the house to the shed and put in some type of electric heater. Maybe someone could suggest a safe heater – I have visions of them knocking the heater over or burning their paws etc.
(2) One of the cats will use a litter box in the shed, another just digs in it so that the litter winds up on the shed floor and I’ve never seen the third one in the box. When winter comes and they’re all together in the shed at night is there a way I can train them to use the litter box correctly?
(3) If it turns out that one or all three don’t want to deal with the new flap door or otherwise just don’t want to sleep in the shed I thought I’d try to add more insulation to the totes in addition to the Styrofoam and straw I have now. Maybe a blanket or sleeping bag draped over the top or somehow affix straw to the outside of the totes or maybe someone could suggest another way.
(4) I bought the extra large 50 gallon totes at Walmart thinking the cats would like plenty of room but now I’m thinking maybe I should have gotten smaller ones (30 gallon or less) so that the cat’s body heat would be more concentrated. Mother and daughter sleep in one and the other cat sleeps in the other. Do you think the 50 gallon totes the way I have them insulated (all interior surfaces have Styrofoam and there is straw on the bottom)) would retain the cat’ body heat effectively or should I get smaller totes?
I’d be grateful for any help!
Tom
(1) I thought I’d run an extension cord from the house to the shed and put in some type of electric heater. Maybe someone could suggest a safe heater – I have visions of them knocking the heater over or burning their paws etc.
(2) One of the cats will use a litter box in the shed, another just digs in it so that the litter winds up on the shed floor and I’ve never seen the third one in the box. When winter comes and they’re all together in the shed at night is there a way I can train them to use the litter box correctly?
(3) If it turns out that one or all three don’t want to deal with the new flap door or otherwise just don’t want to sleep in the shed I thought I’d try to add more insulation to the totes in addition to the Styrofoam and straw I have now. Maybe a blanket or sleeping bag draped over the top or somehow affix straw to the outside of the totes or maybe someone could suggest another way.
(4) I bought the extra large 50 gallon totes at Walmart thinking the cats would like plenty of room but now I’m thinking maybe I should have gotten smaller ones (30 gallon or less) so that the cat’s body heat would be more concentrated. Mother and daughter sleep in one and the other cat sleeps in the other. Do you think the 50 gallon totes the way I have them insulated (all interior surfaces have Styrofoam and there is straw on the bottom)) would retain the cat’ body heat effectively or should I get smaller totes?
I’d be grateful for any help!
Tom