With all the frosty mornings of late, I worry about the cats that live outside. Where do they go to find shelter during the bitter cold hours, and where do they find the extra protein their bodies need during winter?

The semi-feral tortoiseshell cat that hangs out on my front porch no longer uses the heated bed I put out for her last winter. Now she disappears after dinner and doesn’t return until breakfast. I have tried any number of what I consider to be irresistible cozy nests, but this year she shuns them all preferring to find her own shelter.

I find this curious considering the cat spends many hours a day curled into a tight ball, trying to stay warm on the shady porch as she awaits her next meal. I think a warm, soft bed would surely be inviting, but apparently she doesn’t agree. Still with the night temperatures so low, I worry about her and the other cat which occasionally drops by for an evening meal. I feed them larger portions during the winter to help keep an insulating layer of fat on their frames.

Even with their fur coats outdoor cats need protection from the elements, preferably a warm, dry, draftless place to sleep. This is why one often finds feral cat colonies in and around abandoned buildings. It is also one reason why we strongly encourage “barn cats” be locked up at night; the other obvious reason being safety from predators.

All cats prefer to hunker down in places with multiple escape routes. Felines rarely let themselves become boxed in, preferring to have at least two openings available to them. This would explain why the heated dog house my friend thoughtfully put on her porch for the strays she feeds is not used.

When cornered, any animal’s instinct is to defend at all costs. This can be confirmed by a dog that has sustained multiple claw and teeth punctures after a game of chase-the-cat. This also applies to litterbox usage, as a cat is in a rather compromised position when relieving itself. I’ve had to remove covers and strategically reposition boxes in my house to make it a safe environment for my less-than-alpha boys.

If you have outdoor kitties of your own, be sure they have a warm dry place to go during bad weather. Of course they may not use your offering as in the case of my front porch kitty, but at least give them the option.

Cats love to sleep in high places. Not only is it usually warmer, but they have the advantage of being able to watch for danger. It is not unusual to find ferals in rafters of barns and sheds, or even in hollow trees.

Garages are full of great hiding places for cats, both high and low. Often attached to the house and insulated, it is where the hot water heater may be located, a great source of constant warmth. You can leave your garage door cracked open enough to allow a cat in. If you are worried about rodents accessing the opening, your feline guest inside will welcome the fresh meal and keep your garage pest free.

Cats love open boxes. Filled with straw and covered with an old towel or blanket, they make inexpensive beds. Add several layers of newspaper in the bottom for added insulation. If you can afford it, purchase a microwaveable warming disc or mat to slip under the bedding. You can even make your own by sewing dry rice, corn or beans into pouches, but the heat they give off won’t last as long.

The warmth from a car engine will linger for a long time which is very inviting to cold felines but also a valid concern for their safety. Each year scores of cats and kittens are killed because they have chosen the engine compartment of a recently run vehicle as their nighttime hideout. If your car is outside, please make a habit of pounding on the hood before starting it up, even in summer.

We can put out comfy beds and insulated boxes for our outdoor kitties, but they may not use them. Don’t give up, think like a cat and try again, offering several choices in different places. Hopefully one will be to the cat’s liking and you will be rewarded by low cost pest control and the knowledge that you have given welcomed shelter to an animal in need. Don’t forget that extra bit of food as well.