How to Feed and Care for Community Cats in the Winter

Winter brings challenges for community cats, but with a few extra precautions, you can help them stay warm, fed, and hydrated even in freezing temperatures. Here’s everything you need to know about feeding and providing water to community cats in winter.

Extra Food and Water: Keeping Cats Warm from the Inside Out

Increased Food Portions: Cats need more energy to stay warm in the winter, so increasing their food portions can make a big difference. Wet or canned food is best, as it takes less energy to digest, allowing more of their resources to go toward staying warm. Check on food and water daily or twice a day to prevent freezing, and keep servings fresh.

Preventing Food and Water from Freezing

1. Warm Up Before Serving: Heat up canned food or water slightly before putting it out. Heated bowls (like electric ones) are also a great investment to keep water from freezing.

2. Use Plastic Containers: Wet food served in plastic containers is less likely to freeze than in metal. Dry food is also an option in very cold temperatures, but it requires more energy for cats to digest.

3. Choose Deep Bowls Over Wide Ones: Deep bowls help slow freezing. Place them in sunny spots to take advantage of natural warmth, but avoid metal bowls as they freeze quickly.

4. Add Insulation: Spray foam insulation on the underside of plastic feeding dishes to keep food and water from freezing as fast.

5. Try Heating Pads: A microwavable heating pad, like the Snuggle Safe, can go under bowls to keep them warm for hours. Or, make a DIY heating pad by filling fabric pouches with rice and microwaving them.

6. Consider a Running Water Source: Slightly running water, such as from a dripping spigot or a fountain bowl, freezes less quickly than still water.

For bowl recommendations, check out Alley Cat Allies’ heated water bowl suggestions.

Build a Winter Feeding Station

A winter feeding station shields food, water, and the cats themselves from snow, wind, and freezing rain. You can make an insulated feeding station similar to a cat shelter or follow Alley Cat Allies’ guide to building a feeding station.

Prepare Ahead for Inclement Weather

If heavy snow or extreme weather is in the forecast, stock the cats’ feeding stations with extra food and water. Once it’s safe, clear snow from key areas where cats gather, especially around their shelters and feeding stations.

With these simple steps, you can keep community cats safe, fed, and warm all winter long. Thank you for supporting these resilient felines through the colder months!

For more cold-weather care tips, visit Alley Cat Allies’ Winter Guide.