Winter Shelters for Cats

See below for special tips on creating a usable winter shelter to help cats survive Saskatchewan winter weather.

For detailed instructions and video for an insulated plastic bin shelter, see the page linked here.

Best Bedding Choice

Use straw, not hay or blankets. Straw stays dry and creates insulating air pockets that help cats hold body heat. Hay and blankets absorb moisture, then freeze, which can make a shelter colder and unsafe.

Cozy Shelter Size

Choose a smaller shelter size. A snug shelter warms up faster from a cat’s body heat and stays warmer overnight. Large shelters may seem more comfortable, but they are harder for cats to heat in extreme cold.

Safe Entry Size

Keep the entrance small. A smaller doorway helps block wind and retain warmth inside the shelter. It can also make it harder for larger predators to reach in or enter.

Lift It Up

Raise the shelter off the ground. Lifting it on bricks, pallets, or boards helps reduce cold transfer from frozen ground. Elevation also helps prevent melting snow and puddles from seeping into the shelter.

Protected Location & Winter Checks

Place shelters in a dry, wind-protected spot. Set the entrance away from prevailing wind and avoid low areas where water collects. After blizzards, check that the entrance is still visible and clear snow right away if it gets buried.