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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of.
Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. |
#2
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message
This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Proper sized door and some insulation and they will be plenty warm. Look up the thread about heated dog houses here a while back, maybe 2 to 4 weeks ago. |
#3
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Ed Hayes wrote:
If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. SNIP Doubt you need a heater. Had a very similar situation. I "built" a house out of a sturdy cardboard box lying about and glued 2" foamboard insulation to it. Added an extra 2" on the bottom. "Door" opening just big enough to allow cat to enter. An old blanket on the floor inside for comfort. Took a little while for him to trust going inside but was warm as toast in minutes. Jim |
#4
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
I bulit a box for a wild cat out of foamboard thats as good as you get
for insulation, a pipe heater is water safe and will help alot if say a rug is put over it, you dont need much wattage maybe 20 watts since they would sleep on it, you dont want it to warm. I got mine to go in by putting the food in the box, but racoons came to. |
#5
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Speedy Jim" wrote in message news Ed Hayes wrote: If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. SNIP Doubt you need a heater. Had a very similar situation. I "built" a house out of a sturdy cardboard box lying about and glued 2" foamboard insulation to it. Added an extra 2" on the bottom. "Door" opening just big enough to allow cat to enter. An old blanket on the floor inside for comfort. Took a little while for him to trust going inside but was warm as toast in minutes. What he said, but make out of something a little more long-lived than cardboard, and put a window in it so they can watch the world go buy w/o freezing their nose. aem sends... |
#6
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Ed Hayes wrote:
If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? They have their own fur coats. Nothing warmer. A single 60-watt bulb is sufficient for about 50 baby chicks; I would think a piddly heating pad would be ample for a cat.Further, I wouldn't cover the entire floor with a heating pad just in case it's TOO hot. You might consider a duplex cat-house (interior wall, two doors), just in case the cats don't like sleeping together. |
#7
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. Pet heating pads are sold. They are very low wattage and never get warm to the touch. They do work. Our old dog loved it. Only risk that I can think of would be if the cats chewed on the power cord. Doubt they will do it more than once. Colbyt |
#8
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Hokay, I just gotta help out a fellow animal lover if I can.
First, let me say: www.DrsFosterSmith.com pet supplies & stuff. Good stuff. There are other places, but I use these guys, so ... address was handy. Some of these answers might have been easier if you had indicated the kind of climate you live in. Guessing, I'd ass-u-me it's a cold but not terribly cold climate, maybe zero on the worst days? How much snow? How bad does it drift? You don't want them trapped under snow where they'll suffocate. Yes, snow will suffocate, I don't care what anyone chimes in here with. IFF it hardly ever freezes there and you never/seldom get snow, a nice box with some soft, fluffy rag-blankets, straw if you can get some, makes a nice bed. Insulation's good too but NOT fiberglass or anything like it. Plain styrofoam's not good either. Blueboard's better. They don't need anything else other than a place to get out of the wind and rain. With a nice place to curl up that's dry and not drafty, they'll be able to easily stay nice and cozy without help. But, if per my initial assumptions above: Please see inline: "Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... : If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Meaning you feed them? If so, you'll have to do it over the winter if you make them a place to sleep. Else they'll sleep near to where they eat most of the time. It's the feral way. : Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but : they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. Sounds like definitely third generation feral or more. You probably already know they can be real hamgurger machines if you do something they don't like and/or feel trapped g. : This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay : which will keep them relatively warm. All the stuff mentioned above goes here. Plus maybe a swinging door if you cant' be sure of keeping the wind from getting in, and especially if you can't keep the snow and ice rain out. Dampness and wind is much more harmful than temperature, as a rule. : I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I : would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Insulation; great idea. NO FIBERGLASS!! Try the 1 1/2" thick blue-board stuff; comes in 2 x 8 foot pieces. Cuts like a dream, easy to shape. Consider a plexiglas window if you want them to stay inside where they can't keep track of what's outside easily. Ferals don't like feeling confined and not knowing where the 'enemy', perceived or real, is. They don't usually like corners either. : Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use : inside this cat house. Yup: Drs Foster & Smith has just the thing for you. Very little heat generated UNTIL they lay down on it and trap the heat in. Low wattage, waterproof, and generally safe. In fact, when you touch them you'd swear they're not working but if you keep your palm against it for a minute or so it soon becomes realy cozy feeling. Use a GFCI though, just in case they chew the cord. Tape the plug if you have to use an extension cord. If you don't have GFCI outlets, you can buy little plug-in ones for extension cord use. Got three of them msyelf. YOu would only need to add heat if you get -really- cold winters, and it gets under twenty degrees for long periods of time and colder .. : I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want : to start a fire. Foster & Smith heated pads are great - we use them for sick, injured kittens that we foster. We keep a couple layers of cheesecloth over them to soak up the pee, water & other spillage. Ferals will want it covered; besides, you don't want them chewing on it and ruining it. : I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to : prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. NO! NONONO! Wayyyy, too hot! Too dangerous too. You do not have to heat the house; their own body heat will do that as long as they have a nice cozy place to rest/sleep. : Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Make the enclosure as draft proof as possible, but be careful not to make it air tight - they must have the fresh air to create the body heat they need. And to breath, of course g. : : Thanks.. HTH, Pop |
#9
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. Are you dealing with Northern Canadian winters or Florida? I grew up in Iowa and we used 40 watt light bulbs inside of two coffee cans. Keyless lamp holder in the center of the both the plastic lids. Smaller coffee can punched with lots of holes and the larger one punched as well. Got warm but not really hot. Only used it when it was below zero and the bitches had puppies. Rest of the time a 1/4 bale of clean straw was used. Changed every other week. |
#10
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks. I just made one using an Omaha Steaks shipping box inside a Rubbermiad container. Also used a laundry detergent container as an awning over the entrance. There are a lot of web sites on the subject. Almost all of them say to NOT use a blanket (unless you plan on changing it quite often. |
#11
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. Get 'em a big dog to curl up next to! |
#12
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Oscar_Lives" wrote in message news:Csxdf.531829$x96.408357@attbi_s72... "Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. Get 'em a big dog to curl up next to! Then you gotta feed the dog when its done with the cats.... bullets are only about 50 cents each. |
#13
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 02:23:30 GMT, "Oscar_Lives"
wrote: "Ed Hayes" wrote in message .. . If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Pipe heater = not enough heat. 'heat pad' = not a good idea around ferals. How about a 100 watt lightbulb ? They won't mind the light, I don't think, and it will heat a small 'cat house' at least well enough to be very appreciated. Some insulation ( 2 " blueboard polystyrene is very cheap ) around the 'house' will help a lot, as will making the entrance small, and sealing holes against wind. If you can make a little 'barrier door' such that the entry is shielded from wind, that would help. Just something at right angles to the door, so to speak. If you want a little sketch of the idea, email me. A very rough grade of blanket - 'horse blanket', etc, or equivalent like a couple of burlap sacks or such would be good. Disposable would be a good idea - you're not going to want to let it get anywhere near your washing machine. Mine have discovered the joys of the new Sunbeam electric blanky set on '7' , but they ain't feral :-) Thanks.. And thank you :-) Get 'em a big dog to curl up next to! Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me 'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.' 'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.' HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's Free demo now available online http://pmilligan.net/palm/ |
#14
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 20:35:35 -0600, "Noon-Air"
wrote: "Oscar_Lives" wrote in message news:Csxdf.531829$x96.408357@attbi_s72... "Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. Get 'em a big dog to curl up next to! Then you gotta feed the dog when its done with the cats.... bullets are only about 50 cents each. Pretty much what I would expect from a ****ing ingrate asshole hack like you. Don't remind me of the cheapness of bullets - I've already have one suggestion to go visit you, and I make take someone up on the next one. And I won't have to stop at the sporting goods store on the way down, either. Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me 'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.' 'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.' HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's Free demo now available online http://pmilligan.net/palm/ |
#15
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Then you gotta feed the dog when its done with the cats.... bullets are only about 50 cents each. Pretty much what I would expect from a ****ing ingrate asshole hack like you. Don't remind me of the cheapness of bullets - I've already have one suggestion to go visit you, and I make take someone up on the next one. And I won't have to stop at the sporting goods store on the way down, either. This is Turtle. Hey Don't forget Me ! TURTLE |
#16
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Pipe heater = not enough heat. 'heat pad' = not a good idea
around ferals. How about a 100 watt lightbulb ? They won't mind the light, I don't think, and it will heat a small 'cat house' at least well enough to be very appreciated. Some insulation ( 2 " blueboard polystyrene is very cheap ) around the 'house' will help a lot, as will making the entrance small, and sealing holes against wind. If you can make a little 'barrier door' such that the entry is shielded from wind, that would help. Just something at right angles to the door, so to speak. If you want a little sketch of the idea, email me. A very rough grade of blanket - 'horse blanket', etc, or equivalent like a couple of burlap sacks or such would be good. Disposable would be a good idea - you're not going to want to let it get anywhere near your washing machine. Mine have discovered the joys of the new Sunbeam electric blanky set on '7' , but they ain't feral :-) Thanks.. And thank you :-) This is Turtle. Why that was nice to tell that fellow how to keep his Pusseys Warm ! Now what about the Bull Dog that was to stay with the Pusseys ? TURTLE |
#17
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Ed Hayes" wrote in message
If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. If you can capture them (in, say, a racoon trap) then the best favor you can do them is to take them (while still in the cage) to a vet. The vet can put the entire cage in a box with anestetic gas (to knock them out without having to handle them). Then they can spay/neuter the cats, give them shots (vaccines, rabbies, etc). It will be easier to catch them in a cage when it gets colder and they get more desperate for food. Spend $150 on them. You'll never do better for them if you do that. The diseases they can get are horrible and the remedy is simple. If one (or both) are female, then they'll never get pregnant, and you'll be reducing the cat population (and you'll be reducing the chances that they'll develop cancer later). If one (or both) are male, you'll again help to keep the population down, plus reduce their desire to fight other cats or become terratorial. Usually, once they are neutered, they will be more likely to be friendly with you. But it does depend on how old they are. The sooner you spay/neuter them, the better. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. A well insulated shelter should be all they need. You need to create a space that will be kept dry, and have a small entry/exit portal (ie wind-proof). Most important - they need to accept it. You'll never be able to force them to use it. It can't be anywhere where there's lots of people-traffic. I don't know if it's worth the effort to create a space for them to sleep and wait-out the winter vs creating an enclosure for placing food. You will find that just keeping water and soft-food from freezing solid will be a challenge. I've messed around with several different heated bowls in an enclosure the past few winters to come up with something that works. We've turned several ferral cats into the most tame, lovable house cats you could imagine. Once they come home from the vet, we keep them in a room for several weeks to get used to people. They still like to be indoor/outdoor cats, so a cat-door is all they need. |
#18
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
A very rough grade of blanket - 'horse blanket', etc, or equivalent like a couple of burlap sacks or such would be good. Disposable would be a good idea - you're not going to want to let it get anywhere near your washing machine. Mine have discovered the joys of the new Sunbeam electric blanky set on '7' , but they ain't feral :-) We have a 'shop cat' that just loves my Carhartt jacket, it seems. He's been fixed and taken care of otherwise. I find the damn thing in my office chair snuggled up more and more these days... perhaps he's getting older. He used to like our server room a lot. That big 'ole netserver is plenty warm year-round. Get them out of the wind and they'll be fine... a heat lamp might be a good idea, too... although I dunno how comfortable they'd be with the light. Jake / |
#19
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Simple heating pad, bought at Walmart works fine...
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#20
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
K & H makes heaters specifically designed for what you want:
http://www.khmfg.com/products/heatedDogBeds.htm We bought the cat version (just a smaller version) and I'm impressed with the construction and build quality. Their products are available online, but my wife found one at a local pet store. The cat version uses the equivalent of a 40-watt bulb, so we just plugged it in for the winter and will unplug it in spring. Cord is covered in a metal spring to prevent chewing. "Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. |
#21
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Here's the cat version:
http://www.khmfg.com/products/cats/kittyPad.htm "Unrevealed Source" wrote in message ... K & H makes heaters specifically designed for what you want: http://www.khmfg.com/products/heatedDogBeds.htm We bought the cat version (just a smaller version) and I'm impressed with the construction and build quality. Their products are available online, but my wife found one at a local pet store. The cat version uses the equivalent of a 40-watt bulb, so we just plugged it in for the winter and will unplug it in spring. Cord is covered in a metal spring to prevent chewing. "Ed Hayes" wrote in message ... If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. |
#22
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Ed Hayes wrote in
: snipped for length Seems to me that the cats have a place already that they are used to??? I hear this all the time when someone (usually my wife) says, 'the poor insert animal here is going to freeze to death' yes, and without mans intervention all wild things cannot survive. So...why not give them a place to be comfortable in, in between sleeping and eating everything that moves in your general area. |
#23
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"nevermind" wrote
Seems to me that the cats have a place already that they are used to??? I hear this all the time when someone (usually my wife) says, 'the poor insert animal here is going to freeze to death' yes, and without mans intervention all wild things cannot survive. You start out talking about domestic cats and then finish up with wild cats. They're different. So...why not give them a place to be comfortable in, in between sleeping and eating everything that moves in your general area. A domestic cat does that? |
#24
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Lots of great suggestions.
An Idea for "Windproof" door: take two pieces of blanket. Attach first blanket at top, bottom, and right side of opening. Attach second blanket at top, bottom, and left side of opening. might take the cat a little to get used to pushing through but i think it will keep out the drafts. Place the outside open side downwind of the prevailing winds. Should keep out the drafts pretty well i think. I like Nicks idea of the door opening being lower than the floor. Dig the trough now, before the ground freezes. For heat, I think the idea of the lightbulb is good... and using the 240W bulb in a 120 fixture is really good. (just don't do it the other way around. Can be put on a timer and only used when it's *really* cold. Windows... plastic taped on either side of the insulation (leaving an air gap for insulation). Insulation: Is there a particular reason folks are shouting "stay away from fiberglass!"? I understand "bats" , but I think the foil backed "pressed" fiberglass sheets might be good in this application... as might foil backed foamboard. (if my understanding of the radiant properties is correct.) Ground insulation is a *great* idea. (as anyone who's slept on bare ground can attest... the earth can suck the hear right out of you.) Of course, the biggest trick is going to be getting the cats to accept this Taj Mahal.... good luck! -- be safe. flip Remove origin of the word spam from address to reply (leave "+") |
#25
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Philip Lewis wrote:
I like Nicks idea of the door opening being lower than the floor. Dig the trough now, before the ground freezes. Or put the house up on blocks. Cats can climb. Nick |
#26
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"TURTLE" wrote in message oups.com... Then you gotta feed the dog when its done with the cats.... bullets are only about 50 cents each. Pretty much what I would expect from a ****ing ingrate asshole hack like you. umm.....yeah, ok....whatever Don't remind me of the cheapness of bullets - I've already have one suggestion to go visit you, and I make take someone up on the next one. We already have too many ignorant tourists and transplants here, we don't need any more, but thanx for the offer. And I won't have to stop at the sporting goods store on the way down, either. They don't need software there. This is Turtle. Hey Don't forget Me ! TURTLE |
#27
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Jake" wrote in message news:IWzdf.569425$xm3.219665@attbi_s21... (snip) He used to like our server room a lot. That big 'ole netserver is plenty warm year-round. A cat in the machine room? Shudder. The gray/brown moss I find inside the warehouse machines is bad enough, but a cooling fan full of cat hair? aem sends... |
#28
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
ameijers posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom. "Jake" wrote in message news:IWzdf.569425$xm3.219665@attbi_s21... (snip) He used to like our server room a lot. That big 'ole netserver is plenty warm year-round. A cat in the machine room? Shudder. The gray/brown moss I find inside the warehouse machines is bad enough, but a cooling fan full of cat hair? aem sends... It ain't so much the fan. It's the heatsink under the fan. Look for "Thermal Event" in the machine log. -- My boss said I was dumb and apathetic. I said I don't know and I don't care... Tekkie |
#29
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Don" wrote in
ink.net: snip You start out talking about domestic cats and then finish up with wild cats. They're different. The OP was talking about 'feral' cats, is that not a domwstic gone wild? So...why not give them a place to be comfortable in, in between sleeping and eating everything that moves in your general area. A domestic cat does that? You really know anything about cats?, Yes, They will clean up their food in the dish and go find anything moving and kill it. The best mousers are said to be a well fed cat. I have two that will eat moths and flies, they've learned about toads, but frogs are a delicacy to them. |
#30
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
In article , nevermind dontsend@here
wrote: - "Don" wrote in - ink.net: - - snip - - You start out talking about domestic cats and then finish up with wild - cats. They're different. - - The OP was talking about 'feral' cats, is that not a domwstic gone wild? Feral cats are born of strays and have had no human contact to "domesticate" them. (Until some kind human intervenes and does whatever it takes to "tame" them.) -- 8^)~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail) ~~~~~~ "I reserve the absolute right to be smarter today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson http://www.suzanne-eckhardt.com/ http://www.intergnat.com/malebashing/ http://www.intergnat.com/pussygames/ |
#31
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Ed Hayes, 11/12/2005, 6:35:18 PM,
wrote: If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. In my opinion your whole idea about making the feral cats comfortable on your property is a bad idea. They will begin to associate your property as a place to hang out all the time now and pretty soon more cats will start to show up. You will be listening to cats fighting at night and soon smelling cat spray on your outside walls. If you like the sound of birds in the morning or watching other wildlife that will soon dissapear also. Do yourself a favor and start chasing them away. They are outdoor cats and are fully capable of staying warm when the weather is cold. -- "You've just one problem. You stand too close to the ball after you've hit it." -- Sam Snead |
#32
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Suzie-Q" wrote in message ... : In article , nevermind dontsend@here : wrote: : : - "Don" wrote in : - ink.net: : - : - snip : - : - You start out talking about domestic cats and then finish up with wild : - cats. They're different. : - : - The OP was talking about 'feral' cats, is that not a domwstic gone wild? : : Feral cats are born of strays and have had no human contact : to "domesticate" them. That creates the "first generation" ferals. Often they can still be recovered and can make a decent pet. They're "broke" but still capable of loving and appreciating people if properly treated. (Until some kind human intervenes and : does whatever it takes to "tame" them.) Second and third generations may or may not be able to be "tamed". By the 4th and succeeding generation they are usually impossible to recover. Once a feral community becomes entrenched, the only way to get rid of them is to catch them and put them to sleep, or, as we do around here, feed them birth control. Since a feral cat has a life span of about 6 to 10 years though, it takes awhile to pare the community down that way. Feral cats can make good mousers on a farm some say, but they will quickly over-run a farm if they entrench. And of course they contain a lot of diseases and are murder on other pets and animals. Entrenched ferals will fight to the death as a rule. Sad, but true, unfortunately. Support your local SPCA. |
#33
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
That's just silly. First, how do you know what generation you are dealing
with? These cats are wild and difficult to observe, let alone their litters. Second, this presumes that behavior is genetic. If this was the case, then no wild animal could be successfully domesticated. Yet people successfully rescue infant animals of all species and keep them as pets. The key is catching them young, very young, like at birth. I have the kitten of a feral cat sitting in front of me right as I speak. Her mother is, after 12 years, still afraid of me but she knows where "home" is and comes in when she eats and sleeps. The kittens couldn't be more loving. They were handled from birth, and whereas they don't know their "birth mother" is even related to them, they are very bonded to me! Trap neuter and release is the option, NOT euthanasia. Remember what happened in the bubonic plague, when cats were eliminated? Perhaps it is feral cats that will "save" us from the avian flu! "Pop" wrote in message news "Suzie-Q" wrote in message ... : In article , nevermind dontsend@here : wrote: : : - "Don" wrote in : - ink.net: : - : - snip : - : - You start out talking about domestic cats and then finish up with wild : - cats. They're different. : - : - The OP was talking about 'feral' cats, is that not a domwstic gone wild? : : Feral cats are born of strays and have had no human contact : to "domesticate" them. That creates the "first generation" ferals. Often they can still be recovered and can make a decent pet. They're "broke" but still capable of loving and appreciating people if properly treated. (Until some kind human intervenes and : does whatever it takes to "tame" them.) Second and third generations may or may not be able to be "tamed". By the 4th and succeeding generation they are usually impossible to recover. Once a feral community becomes entrenched, the only way to get rid of them is to catch them and put them to sleep, or, as we do around here, feed them birth control. Since a feral cat has a life span of about 6 to 10 years though, it takes awhile to pare the community down that way. Feral cats can make good mousers on a farm some say, but they will quickly over-run a farm if they entrench. And of course they contain a lot of diseases and are murder on other pets and animals. Entrenched ferals will fight to the death as a rule. Sad, but true, unfortunately. Support your local SPCA. |
#34
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Woof, I know I should just move on, but the temptation to respond
is just too strong. I'm sure you're a good person and probably an animal lover Betsy, but you're going on some personal experiences and anecdotes that aren't necessarily the "norm" to put it gently. : That's just silly. First, how do you know what generation you are dealing : with? These cats are wild and difficult to observe, let alone their : litters. Easy. Gestation period and length of time the feral community has existed. Beyond two years and you have a well established feral community. Beyond observation it's only a guess but it is still easy to spot the first and second generation animals by their mannerisms and responses to various things, including humans. : : Second, this presumes that behavior is genetic. If this was the case, then : no wild animal could be successfully domesticated. Yet people successfully : rescue infant animals of all species and keep them as pets. Of course it's genetic! No animal can be truly domesticated; it's called nature's way. Any cat, domestic or not, if healthy knows about chasing and eating prey, for instance. It doesn't need to be taught; it's inherent. Being taught helps, but that's not all it takes. : : The key is catching them young, very young, like at birth. I have the : kitten of a feral cat sitting in front of me right as I speak. We have three feral cats in our home. Two came as week-old kittens, the third was a rescue from a restaurant grease trap a few winters back. We bottle-fed and raised the kittens to adulthood. They came at different times; one was found dying, laying in a water puddle, the other one has 4 different length legs; lost three them to freezing. Only one "full" leg complete with foot toes and claws; other three are varying lengths. Her mother : is, after 12 years, still afraid of me but she knows where "home" is and : comes in when she eats and sleeps. These are house-cats now; they do not roam. And except for the one with the legs problems, the youngest, do not want to. Has nothing to do with anything though. The kittens couldn't be more loving. Same here, when they were kittens. But don't surprise or somehow scare any one of them or you may not see them for days on end. Many people confuse "love" with "dependence" and an appreciation of comfort. Just because you are teaching kittens doesn't mean their instincts are stunted, or gone. It means their bellies are full enough and they have the comfort they want; they're not wanting for very much. But if they're from a feral community, they are still feral. BTW, you DO undterstand what feral means, right? If not, I would advise you to look it up. It doesn't just mean a stray or abandoned cat. Feral cats can almost never be completely redeemed as a housecat. : They were handled from birth, and whereas they don't know their "birth : mother" is even related to them, they are very bonded to me! They probably are, and that's great. But, that bond is nature's doing, not yours. If they were feral, they are still feral. That's not necessarily bad as long as they don't start spraying, copulating, things like that. Our third one, Phoebe, was spayed several years ago and still loves to "have a go" at Major Buzzer, the oldest Tom in our house. We do animal fostering for the local SPCA and anyone else that needs it, so we have had lots of kittens around and we go thru a fortune in the formula for the kittens, but it's all worth it. We also "judge" kittens, to see if they're worth trying to save. Some ferals, if you push them too hard, even as kittens, will force themselves into live failure, stop eating and drinking and wait to die. No matter how much you love or care for them, they are not going to imprint on you, especially if they are well into the generation counts. It's a complete return to nature. Feral cats will have worms, fleas, upper respiratory problems, live and kidney problems, and all kinds of things that are heartbreaking to see. But that's called nature, instinct, things like that. And that doesn't count feline hepatitus, HIV, FIP and all the rest of it. The right feral cat could kill off every cat in your home. It's a very bad idea to mess with feral cats unless you know what you're doing to some degree and have support resources at hand. There is good reason ferals are not caged/kept with "normal" companion animals in shelters and such. : : Trap neuter and release is the option, NOT euthanasia. Then I hope you're donating to lots to lots of Shelters working on the feral problems. If not, you're being hypocritical here. Remember what : happened in the bubonic plague, when cats were eliminated? Perhaps it is : feral cats that will "save" us from the avian flu! No, I don't; wasn't alive then, but I have read about it. Remember it's YOU brought up the annihilation of every cat in the world, not anyone else. You sound like one of those people who, rather than save to euthanize that poor kitten we found frozen into the puddle one morning on the street, would have instead have let her lay there and suffer? It had a body temp of 94 degrees when it got to the Shelter, and lived 24 hours, so we took it to assess it and see if it was salvageable. It was and is still with us and hopefully will be for a long time. But no one else would have taken it; it had gone into liver and kidney shutdown and couldn't/wouldn't eat or drink; what would YOU have done with it? Let it continue its slow death and misery right to the end? It would have taken at least another three days. That scenario and ones like it happen over and over every day at Shelters all over the world. There are a LOT more of them around than people who will make life bearable for them. Which group do YOU belong to? How many will you go out and help? How many have you helped? Or is the two you have enough and you've "done your duty, let someone else do it now"? Regards, Pop --- |
#35
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Yes, I know what feral means, and I still totally disagree with you.
All of my cats are rescues, and most of them are from my old neighborhood. And Mama Cat is definitely feral, and her kittens couldn't be more dependent. And then there is Melon, who before neutering attacked me and now is quite loving. NO, she doesn't like to be held, but she too is an inbred feral. I've rescued many cats given away, and kept many. Currently I have 11. And I've also rescued many wild animals. You seem to have some kind of unfounded belief that behavior is passed on genetically. Wild behavior is passed on by imprinting, no matter what "generation". "Pop" wrote in message et... Woof, I know I should just move on, but the temptation to respond is just too strong. I'm sure you're a good person and probably an animal lover Betsy, but you're going on some personal experiences and anecdotes that aren't necessarily the "norm" to put it gently. : That's just silly. First, how do you know what generation you are dealing : with? These cats are wild and difficult to observe, let alone their : litters. Easy. Gestation period and length of time the feral community has existed. Beyond two years and you have a well established feral community. Beyond observation it's only a guess but it is still easy to spot the first and second generation animals by their mannerisms and responses to various things, including humans. : : Second, this presumes that behavior is genetic. If this was the case, then : no wild animal could be successfully domesticated. Yet people successfully : rescue infant animals of all species and keep them as pets. Of course it's genetic! No animal can be truly domesticated; it's called nature's way. Any cat, domestic or not, if healthy knows about chasing and eating prey, for instance. It doesn't need to be taught; it's inherent. Being taught helps, but that's not all it takes. : : The key is catching them young, very young, like at birth. I have the : kitten of a feral cat sitting in front of me right as I speak. We have three feral cats in our home. Two came as week-old kittens, the third was a rescue from a restaurant grease trap a few winters back. We bottle-fed and raised the kittens to adulthood. They came at different times; one was found dying, laying in a water puddle, the other one has 4 different length legs; lost three them to freezing. Only one "full" leg complete with foot toes and claws; other three are varying lengths. Her mother : is, after 12 years, still afraid of me but she knows where "home" is and : comes in when she eats and sleeps. These are house-cats now; they do not roam. And except for the one with the legs problems, the youngest, do not want to. Has nothing to do with anything though. The kittens couldn't be more loving. Same here, when they were kittens. But don't surprise or somehow scare any one of them or you may not see them for days on end. Many people confuse "love" with "dependence" and an appreciation of comfort. Just because you are teaching kittens doesn't mean their instincts are stunted, or gone. It means their bellies are full enough and they have the comfort they want; they're not wanting for very much. But if they're from a feral community, they are still feral. BTW, you DO undterstand what feral means, right? If not, I would advise you to look it up. It doesn't just mean a stray or abandoned cat. Feral cats can almost never be completely redeemed as a housecat. : They were handled from birth, and whereas they don't know their "birth : mother" is even related to them, they are very bonded to me! They probably are, and that's great. But, that bond is nature's doing, not yours. If they were feral, they are still feral. That's not necessarily bad as long as they don't start spraying, copulating, things like that. Our third one, Phoebe, was spayed several years ago and still loves to "have a go" at Major Buzzer, the oldest Tom in our house. We do animal fostering for the local SPCA and anyone else that needs it, so we have had lots of kittens around and we go thru a fortune in the formula for the kittens, but it's all worth it. We also "judge" kittens, to see if they're worth trying to save. Some ferals, if you push them too hard, even as kittens, will force themselves into live failure, stop eating and drinking and wait to die. No matter how much you love or care for them, they are not going to imprint on you, especially if they are well into the generation counts. It's a complete return to nature. Feral cats will have worms, fleas, upper respiratory problems, live and kidney problems, and all kinds of things that are heartbreaking to see. But that's called nature, instinct, things like that. And that doesn't count feline hepatitus, HIV, FIP and all the rest of it. The right feral cat could kill off every cat in your home. It's a very bad idea to mess with feral cats unless you know what you're doing to some degree and have support resources at hand. There is good reason ferals are not caged/kept with "normal" companion animals in shelters and such. : : Trap neuter and release is the option, NOT euthanasia. Then I hope you're donating to lots to lots of Shelters working on the feral problems. If not, you're being hypocritical here. Remember what : happened in the bubonic plague, when cats were eliminated? Perhaps it is : feral cats that will "save" us from the avian flu! No, I don't; wasn't alive then, but I have read about it. Remember it's YOU brought up the annihilation of every cat in the world, not anyone else. You sound like one of those people who, rather than save to euthanize that poor kitten we found frozen into the puddle one morning on the street, would have instead have let her lay there and suffer? It had a body temp of 94 degrees when it got to the Shelter, and lived 24 hours, so we took it to assess it and see if it was salvageable. It was and is still with us and hopefully will be for a long time. But no one else would have taken it; it had gone into liver and kidney shutdown and couldn't/wouldn't eat or drink; what would YOU have done with it? Let it continue its slow death and misery right to the end? It would have taken at least another three days. That scenario and ones like it happen over and over every day at Shelters all over the world. There are a LOT more of them around than people who will make life bearable for them. Which group do YOU belong to? How many will you go out and help? How many have you helped? Or is the two you have enough and you've "done your duty, let someone else do it now"? Regards, Pop --- |
#36
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Your'e a hoot, you really are! Color the world whatever color
you want to, it still doesn't make it true. Not gonna bother with you anymore - you're a closed mind without consideration for facts and so not worth further chatting/discussing anything. Cheers, Pop "Betsy" wrote in message ... : Yes, I know what feral means, and I still totally disagree with you. : : All of my cats are rescues, and most of them are from my old neighborhood. : And Mama Cat is definitely feral, and her kittens couldn't be more : dependent. And then there is Melon, who before neutering attacked me and : now is quite loving. NO, she doesn't like to be held, but she too is an : inbred feral. : : I've rescued many cats given away, and kept many. Currently I have 11. : : And I've also rescued many wild animals. : : You seem to have some kind of unfounded belief that behavior is passed on : genetically. Wild behavior is passed on by imprinting, no matter what : "generation". : : "Pop" wrote in message : et... : Woof, I know I should just move on, but the temptation to respond : is just too strong. I'm sure you're a good person and probably : an animal lover Betsy, but you're going on some personal : experiences and anecdotes that aren't necessarily the "norm" to : put it gently. : : : That's just silly. First, how do you know what generation you : are dealing : : with? These cats are wild and difficult to observe, let alone : their : : litters. : : Easy. Gestation period and length of time the feral community : has existed. Beyond two years and you have a well established : feral community. Beyond observation it's only a guess but it is : still easy to spot the first and second generation animals by : their mannerisms and responses to various things, including : humans. : : : : : Second, this presumes that behavior is genetic. If this was : the case, then : : no wild animal could be successfully domesticated. Yet people : successfully : : rescue infant animals of all species and keep them as pets. : Of course it's genetic! No animal can be truly domesticated; : it's called nature's way. Any cat, domestic or not, if healthy : knows about chasing and eating prey, for instance. It doesn't : need to be taught; it's inherent. Being taught helps, but that's : not all it takes. : : : : : The key is catching them young, very young, like at birth. I : have the : : kitten of a feral cat sitting in front of me right as I speak. : We have three feral cats in our home. Two came as week-old : kittens, the third was a rescue from a restaurant grease trap a : few winters back. We bottle-fed and raised the kittens to : adulthood. They came at different times; one was found dying, : laying in a water puddle, the other one has 4 different length : legs; lost three them to freezing. Only one "full" leg complete : with foot toes and claws; other three are varying lengths. : : Her mother : : is, after 12 years, still afraid of me but she knows where : "home" is and : : comes in when she eats and sleeps. : These are house-cats now; they do not roam. And except for the : one with the legs problems, the youngest, do not want to. Has : nothing to do with anything though. : : The kittens couldn't be more loving. : Same here, when they were kittens. But don't surprise or somehow : scare any one of them or you may not see them for days on end. : Many people confuse "love" with "dependence" and an appreciation : of comfort. Just because you are teaching kittens doesn't mean : their instincts are stunted, or gone. It means their bellies are : full enough and they have the comfort they want; they're not : wanting for very much. But if they're from a feral community, : they are still feral. : BTW, you DO undterstand what feral means, right? If not, I : would advise you to look it up. It doesn't just mean a stray or : abandoned cat. Feral cats can almost never be completely : redeemed as a housecat. : : : They were handled from birth, and whereas they don't know their : "birth : : mother" is even related to them, they are very bonded to me! : They probably are, and that's great. But, that bond is nature's : doing, not yours. If they were feral, they are still feral. : That's not necessarily bad as long as they don't start spraying, : copulating, things like that. Our third one, Phoebe, was spayed : several years ago and still loves to "have a go" at Major Buzzer, : the oldest Tom in our house. : : We do animal fostering for the local SPCA and anyone else that : needs it, so we have had lots of kittens around and we go thru a : fortune in the formula for the kittens, but it's all worth it. : We also "judge" kittens, to see if they're worth trying to : save. Some ferals, if you push them too hard, even as kittens, : will force themselves into live failure, stop eating and drinking : and wait to die. No matter how much you love or care for them, : they are not going to imprint on you, especially if they are well : into the generation counts. It's a complete return to nature. : Feral cats will have worms, fleas, upper respiratory problems, : live and kidney problems, and all kinds of things that are : heartbreaking to see. But that's called nature, instinct, things : like that. And that doesn't count feline hepatitus, HIV, FIP and : all the rest of it. The right feral cat could kill off every cat : in your home. : It's a very bad idea to mess with feral cats unless you know : what you're doing to some degree and have support resources at : hand. There is good reason ferals are not caged/kept with : "normal" companion animals in shelters and such. : : : : Trap neuter and release is the option, NOT euthanasia. : Then I hope you're donating to lots to lots of Shelters working : on the feral problems. If not, you're being hypocritical here. : : Remember what : : happened in the bubonic plague, when cats were eliminated? : Perhaps it is : : feral cats that will "save" us from the avian flu! : : No, I don't; wasn't alive then, but I have read about it. : Remember it's YOU brought up the annihilation of every cat in the : world, not anyone else. You sound like one of those people who, : rather than save to euthanize that poor kitten we found frozen : into the puddle one morning on the street, would have instead : have let her lay there and suffer? It had a body temp of 94 : degrees when it got to the Shelter, and lived 24 hours, so we : took it to assess it and see if it was salvageable. It was and : is still with us and hopefully will be for a long time. But no : one else would have taken it; it had gone into liver and kidney : shutdown and couldn't/wouldn't eat or drink; what would YOU have : done with it? Let it continue its slow death and misery right : to the end? It would have taken at least another three days. : That scenario and ones like it happen over and over every day at : Shelters all over the world. : There are a LOT more of them around than people who will make : life bearable for them. Which group do YOU belong to? How many : will you go out and help? How many have you helped? Or is the : two you have enough and you've "done your duty, let someone else : do it now"? : : Regards, : : Pop : --- : : : : |
#37
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"Betsy" wrote in :
snipped Her mother is, after 12 years, still afraid of me but she knows where "home" is and comes in when she eats and sleeps. Yeah, eats cat food at home but spends the rest of the time killing off the competition. Trap neuter and release is the option, NOT euthanasia. Remember what happened in the bubonic plague, when cats were eliminated? Perhaps it is feral cats that will "save" us from the avian flu! Because there are no birds left in your neck of the woods. No thanks, I tend to enjoy watching the birds at the feeder. |
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
"nevermind" wrote
You really know anything about cats? A little, we presently have 6. Amazing what people throw away. |
#39
Posted to alt.home.repair
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
Don wrote:
"nevermind" wrote You really know anything about cats? A little, we presently have 6. Amazing what people throw away. I made up a heater for our dog house based on what I remember my grandfather doing on his farm. Dog house is insulated and with a flap door installed. Took a light base that normally a glass globe attaches (large) Metal can (long, food comes in, juice, etc) with small vent holes punch around the outside. installed a small screen around the can to prevent curious burnt noses, although installed in the top of the dog house which they never bother. 100 what light installed with can installed into the globe base, srcews that originally held the globe hold the can in place. I had a hard time getting the right size can to fit, I suspect that could make a metal shroud out of some metal flashing or whatever. My grandfather always used metal, he said radiated heat well. Anyway my little setup works great, have on a thermostat to turn off during the day when temps get warm. |
#40
Posted to alt.home.repair
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Heater for outdoor "cat house"
On Saturday, November 12, 2005 at 6:35:18 PM UTC-5, Ed Hayes wrote:
If have 2 feral cats in our yard which we feed and take care of. Over the last year we actually can now touch and play with them but they will not come in the house. They truly are wild. This winter I would like to build them a place where they can stay which will keep them relatively warm. I can easily build them a small house and put a blanket in it but I would like to insulate it and maybe add heat. Is there any electric heating pad type of thing that I can buy to use inside this cat house. I want it to be safe since it will be close to my house I don't want to start a fire. I was thinking about those electric pipe heaters that are used to prevent freezing but not sure if they get warm enough. Any suggestions, electric or otherwise? Thanks.. I was using off-the shelf K&H and Cat House Space Heater 65W from eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/14295467363...m1555.l2649 |
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