Wheat Straw is Best for Outdoor Cat Houses

Fill your outdoor shelters for feral or stray cats with dried wheat straw, not hay and not a blend of straw that feels damp to the touch. Hay and a blended straw will hold moisture and will make the cat feel colder. Also the hay and blended straw will get moldy. So when you shop make sure you buy straw that is made from 100% dried wheat.

Feral Cat Sleeping in Winter Shelter Post Card

by Susang6

Normally we do not have a problem with buying wheat straw but this year the shops in town, Lowes, Walmart, and Home Depot are all selling a blend of straw, wheat, rye, and corn. This straw does not feel right, it feels damp to the touch so it would not be good for an outdoor cat bedding.

Cathouse in the barn filled with wheat straw

One of our outdoor cat houses..
We added mylar insulation and wheat straw bedding

The best bedding for outdoor cats or dog houses is wheat straw. The straw that is made from leftover wheat stalks will repel moisture and this is why wheat is ideal for keeping outdoor cats or dogs warm and comfy in their cat houses. Wheat straw is the best form of insulation, but I do recommend that you change out the straw weekly to remove any straw that is marked (urine sprayed by the cat)

I recommend that when you set up your winter cat houses that you put down dome cedar chips (mulch) or dried pine needles on the bottom of the bed then a hefty layer of straw on the top, Do not add blankets as they will retain moisture and make the cat feel colder.

A wooden cat house filled with wheat straw, you can see the cat made a bed from body imprint in the straw.  The top, walls, and floor of this house have Mylar reflective board which will keep the cat warmer in winter.

Update 12/30/2023

Many online retailers are promoting and selling barley straw for feral cat house bedding.  Barley usually costs less money than wheat straw.  I know in my city barley straw is not available whereas I can easily find wheat straw.  

Know that I prefer wheat straw because it makes a warm and comfortable bed for feral cat houses.  The straw is easy to handle and if it gets wet it drains well. 

I asked Bing what straw was best for feral cats 

 

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How to Keep Feral Cats Warm in Winter

Cats that live outside during the winter need shelter from the cold, snow and ice.  Many people believe that the cat’s winter coat will provide adequate warmth.  

The cat's fur will keep them warm, but if the temperatures dip below freezing the cat will be cold and if the cat is left outdoors, with no shelter or wind protection in extreme cold weather they will develop frost bite on paws, nose and ears.  

Feral and stray cats need an insulated shelter to stay warm and dry in winter. 

Winter is coming and I need to make sure my colony cats have a shelter to protect them from the cold and snowy winter.  The feral cats visit the feeding station that I monitor and occasionally they will come inside my shelter/shelter.  



Locating the Feral Cat Colony

Feral cats are terrified of humans and will go to the hallow trees and the thicket dens in the forest when the weather is bad.  My husband and I decided to fill the hallow trees and thicket dens with straw as it would provide more insulation.   

I decided to track the feral cat I call Bob in hopes to find the forest colony.  I followed each of my colony cats by walking 20 feet behind them into the forest.

 I found that the cats shelters, they were 107 feet south of my home; a hallow tree, a groundhog burrow, thicket den, shallow crevice in the limestone rock.  

The stray cats lived closer, they had leaf shelters that were located under my neighbors low to the ground deck. 

 I noted the cat’s shelters and returned to the areas the following day when the cats weren't there.  I brought insulation material; straw for their shelters.  I set a thick pile of straw inside the hallow tree, burrow and thicket den.

I spoke to my neighbor and informed him that the cat was using his deck for a shelter and asked if I could insulate it for the winter.   

Insulating a deck is a little tricky because you never know what is living under it.  I crawled under the deck and my husband handed me cardboard to set on the ground.  I then piled a thick layer of leaves on top of the cardboard and topped the leaves with straw.  

The top of the deck was covered with a plastic tarp that was secured tie downs. The tarp would provide a wind break and it would also prevent the water from getting the cats bellow wet.  The home owner had no problem with the tarp on the deck because during the winter months it was seldom used.  

About Sgolis, Feral Cat Colony Caregiver

When the temperature dips into the teens I will provide shelter for the feral or stray cats  by allowing  them entrance to my shed or garage. I  Installed a kitty door at the entrance.  The door allows entrance to cats only and does not allow raccoon, dog or fox. 

Inside the shelter I hang heavy blankets or insulated drapes over the windows and walls.  For added warmth I cover the cement floor with cardboard or old carpet.  

For cat bedding;  I filled dish boxes with straw and gave the cats a fleece blankets I also provide the cats with self heating cat beds, mats and igloo and other insulated plastic cat houses.

Insulated cat bedding inside shed:  Image by Susan Golis

Here is a video that will show you how to get your feral and stray cat shelters ready for winter:

Tips 

1. Keep cats warm by fueling their bodies with high protein food. The protein will give the cats the energy they need to keep them active during the winter months.  
2. Feed the cats daily and provide them with fresh water.  
3. To avoid freezing put cat's water in a heated bowl
4.  In winter season I feed outdoor cats dry food as the canned food will freeze.  If cats are in the heated shed/shelter I will leave canned food for them.   
5. As long as an outdoor cat is in an area that is dry, with some insulation, straw and a wind block the cat will adapt to living outside during winter.  The cats will sleep together and their bodies will keep them warm.