I am considering a kitty tube to put on our porch to keep wandering neighborhood cats warm, but I cannot decide beteen the heated pillow and the feral straw. I am concerned that the straw will not keep them warm enough? Help?!
259446
In most instances, the straw should be adequate. The tube is insulated on the bottom, sides and top. With about one third of the straw provided, the cat should be snug If you live in the northern states that have bitter cold (long periods below zero), then I would opt for the heated pillow, but make sure from time to time that the pillow hasn't become wet. Straw can be changed form time to time to assure it is dry. The straw also is a familiar, natural smelling substance that many ferals recognize and are used to being in.
874657
It should put out enough heat. To the touch, it doesn't feel like much but once your kitty sleeps in it, it seems to generate more heat. Hope that helps. Good luck with your kitty :)
1569591
My experience with Ferals is they do not like to be closed in so a door may not work.If it is in an area they feel safe it might be different. I put a bed and blanket in the house and placed straw just up to entrance and covered the house with straw. It is in a public area where someone might remove it. It was best to hide it. It seems to stay dry.
150405
We have ours in an insulated cat house on a bed of blankets, it does not get so hot to be a problem in straw. Our outdoor cat Uses it daily.
1946533
I have two feral cats that sleep in my Kitty Tube located on my open porch. Last night, it warmed up into the upper 30's, so the cats we out and about. When I took the dog out, I noticed a possum eating out of the cat dish. When he saw me, he ran into the tube. It was cute too see a possum head sticking out of the tube but I worried it would scare the cats away. By morning, when I checked, the possum was gone and both cats we in the tube. I think opossums and raccoons are more interested in the cat food than they are in the Kitty Tube. From now on, I am going to move the food dish to another location. Anyway, when the temps drop more, the raccoons & opossums will be hibernating. I have two feral cats that sleep in my Kitty Tube located on my open porch. Last night, it warmed up into the upper 30's, so the cats we out and about. When I took the dog out, I noticed a possum eating out of the cat dish. When he saw me, he ran into the tube. It was cute too see a possum head sticking out of the tube but I worried it would scare the cats away. By morning, when I checked, the possum was gone and both cats we in the tube. I think opossums and raccoons are more interested in the cat food than they are in the Kitty Tube. From now on, I am going to move the food dish to... » Read More I have two feral cats that sleep in my Kitty Tube located on my open porch. Last night, it warmed up into the upper 30's, so the cats we out and about. When I took the dog out, I noticed a possum eating out of the cat dish. When he saw me, he ran into the tube. It was cute too see a possum head sticking out of the tube but I worried it would scare the cats away. By morning, when I checked, the possum was gone and both cats we in the tube. I think opossums and raccoons are more interested in the cat food than they are in the Kitty Tube. From now on, I am going to move the food dish to another location. Anyway, when the temps drop more, the raccoons & opossums will be hibernating. « Show Less
1492141
I'm going into my 3rd winter on 2 of my snuggle safe's..and my second winter with the other 2. I use them every winter for heating feral cats igloos. I use 2 per cat bed/igloo with blankets on very cold days and nights. My cats love them!
174400
i use mine on an open porch, have used this type for years. porch is set back, but roofless. could try slitting an old Styrofoam cooler and feeding cord thru slit in back....i feed feral cats and use them for both wet food and water. for food i but a stainless pan with water in first and then a more shallow pyrex over with canned food in. works well. hope this helps.
1291454
I don't believe the kitty bed is designed for outdoor use (?).....I only know the bed is warmer than the room air when the cat is laying in it..my cats LOVE it!
105539
Hi Cassandra, Amazon asked if I could answer your question. I think the hole is for an electrical plug of some sort, but I don't remember what the instructions indicated about it. I did not use the hole, I plugged it up. I think it best for you to contact the Kitty Tube company with your question. It was a terrible winter, the Kitty Tube helped alot, I put alot of straw in it and placed the shelter under a balcony for protection from wind and snow. The little feral cat survived! (So did I!) P.S. Don't use catnip in it, racoons love catnip!Best regards
1557714
Although the top part of the Kitty Tube rotates to provide two handle vents for cross-air ventilation, placing the tube in direct sunlight will increase heat. Fortunately the unit is so well insulated on the inside, the heat should not be a big problem. If you put the tube in a shaded area, it should do just fine.
388086
I have mine sitting on my covered porch. It also sits low to the ground. I would guess that if it is in a backyard where it's going to have snow/rain you should elevate it on something and possibly tie it down with a bungee cord/something on top. It has some heft to it, but mine is plastic with a wooden bottom. It's good, but if you need heavy duty, the Kitty tube is much stronger and heavier.
1206074
YEs, it needs pressure to heat, but be sure and buy the soft faux cover for it and those ferals will find out pretty quick how it's warm when they lay on that soft cover. WE had a stray that loved it out on our front porch........until we took him in.
911776
I don't know the answer to that because I did not buy the warming pad. If you don't use straw under or over the pad, it will be too hard for the cat. I'm sure the pad is such low voltage as to not cause a fire. You can probably find more information about it if you research "kitty tube" online.
848531
I have used as a water dish and it keeps the water from freezing in very cold weather. I have never used to prevent food from freezing. I have a feral cat that I feed. I have also taken him to the VET for neutering (had to catch him using a trap) and once took pictures of a badly swollen paw so the VET would prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and fed that to him using those pill pouches you buy at pet stores. It keeps a whole bowl of water from freezing but I don't know about something more solid. I only give this cat dry food.
273382
We use it for stray cats outdoors, under a open patio. We were able to put a heater inside that plugged into an outdoor outlet. 3 strays we feed wintered nights in the igloo as it gets cold in the winter in Colorado. They wouldn't go in if we went out the sliding glass door to the patio and if they were in they would scatter. But after we went back in the house they would return to the igloo to keep warm
417464
Kim, I can't say how warm the pads get, but they do seem to retain the cat's body heat very well. We have several of these pads around the house to protect furniture (we'd rather the cats sit on these pads then directly on a chair, etc.). Our cats love them and sleep on them all the time. However, if the feral cat and the container is outside in cool temperatures you might want to consider an electrically heated pad.
1408264
No, you don't have to use straw or hay as the barn house is built in a manner that kitties will be warm inside. Adding straw or hay would give kitties an extra layer of warmth but it is not necessary.