Keeping Feral and Outdoor Cats Warm in Winter: Shelters and Heat

The short answer

Outdoor cats need a small, insulated, raised shelter that their body heat can warm, with a door just big enough to get in and, for ferals, a second exit. Use straw, not blankets. Where safe outdoor power is available, a heated house keeps cats through hard freezes.

Heated houses we cover

Seller's dimensions
House	Longest side	Height
K&H Pet Products Heated A-Frame Outdoor Cat House	18 in	14 in
GUTINNEEN Large Heated Outdoor Cat House	39.1 in	19.1 in
VILRAK Heated Outdoor Cat House VL0625	30.5 in	21.8 in
Dahivs Heated Outdoor Cat House PL4040	17.7 in	17.5 in
SIWA MARY Heated Cat House PTPM009	25.7 in	18 in

Unheated shelters

Seller's dimensions
Shelter	Longest side	Height
New Age Pet ECOFLEX Albany Outdoor Cat House ECTH350	22 in	20.5 in
VEVOR Wooden Outdoor Cat House DUSCH2403	24.02 in	21.06 in
Love's cabin Elevated Outdoor Cat House Large	23.6 in	15.35 in
TailTastic Elevated Insulated Cat House RXPT006	24 in	15 in

Set-up

Raise the shelter off the ground and face the door away from the wind.
Fill unheated shelters with loose straw; blankets and towels soak up damp and freeze.
Keep food and water nearby but not in the shelter doorway.
Check after storms for leaks and snow drifts.