How to Help a Stray Cat in Winter
A stray cat can get through winter with a little help from you. From building a simple shelter to spotting the signs of hypothermia, these small steps make a real difference.
You can help a stray cat through the winter without taking it in or making any big decisions. A simple shelter, fresh water and a few checks around the car are the main things, and this guide walks you through them.
Giving a stray cat shelter
Cats Protection suggests making a shelter from things you may already have. A cat carrier, a recycling bin, a storage box, a large plastic pipe, or an unused rabbit hutch or dog kennel all work. The charity prefers plastic over wood, because it’s easier to clean.
Whatever you use, the RSPCA says it should be secure, insulated and waterproof. Cats Protection advises filling it with straw, which it calls the driest, warmest and safest natural bedding. If you use blankets or towels instead, check and change them regularly, because they can get damp or even freeze.
Keep the shelter off the ground, on pallets or bricks, and cover it so it stays dry and draught-free. Put it somewhere quiet, out of sight and already familiar to the cat. If you can, give it two entrances that aren’t directly opposite each other, so the cat always has a way out.
Water and food in the cold
Water bowls can freeze, so the RSPCA advises putting out fresh water every day for any cat you’re looking out for.
On food, the charities are cautious. Cats Protection’s advice is to leave unfamiliar cats unfed, since they may be on a special diet or have a medical condition. The exceptions are a cat that looks particularly underweight, or when you need food to tempt one into a carrier.
Around the car and the driveway
International Cat Care says warm engines in parked cars attract cats, and advises tapping on the bonnet and checking between the tyres before you start up. The RSPCA also warns against using antifreeze or rock salt where cats are about, because both can poison them.
If a cat seems too cold
Cats Protection lists the serious signs of hypothermia as weakness or trouble walking, slow or shallow breathing, and pale gums. Collapse, unresponsiveness and dilated pupils are emergency signs.
If you see any of these, bring the cat indoors, dry it if it’s wet, and warm it gradually with warm towels, blankets or your own body heat. Don’t use hot water, heating pads or a hairdryer, and don’t force food or water on it. A cat showing any signs of hypothermia needs a vet as soon as possible. If you’re not sure where to take it, our guide to where to take a stray cat covers vets, rescues and the RSPCA.
Is the cat someone's?
Cats Protection says the first step with a found cat is to try to find the owner, using a paper collar, a microchip scan and a vet’s help where needed. The full steps are in our guide to telling if a cat is stray and what to do. If the cat turns out to be yours to keep, our page on cat microchipping explains how to register it in your name.
