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And now for something completely different! I’m going to limit my product reviews to, at most, once per month. This will not turn into the next QVC, I promise.
It has been frigidly cold in Northern KY lately. While I personally don’t mind it, I am aware that there are some critters outdoors that aren’t super thrilled by the dropping temps.
A little stray cat has been living on my porch since May of last year, and before the calvary comes after me: no, she cannot come in. My dog will make a meal out of her. She’s welcome to stay as long as she likes – there are plenty of other homes to choose from in the area, but she took a liking to my comfy cushions a little more than other options in the area.
I’ve been chosen, besties! *cries*
Outdoor Cat Shelter – What to Add and What to Avoid
If anyone has ever made an outdoor cat shelter, I’m sure we’ve all seen guidelines like this. This is primarily what I used, and I would argue it’s the Gold Standard in outdoor cat shelters. But in my panic of making sure Lil’ Bit stays warm, I tweaked some things. The main takeaway is the container and the straw – these are non-negotiable! I may live in Kentucky, but I’m not a farm girl – I had no idea how naturally insulating and warm straw can be. But it makes sense. There’s a reason why straw is the preferred bedding for many farm animals. Not only does it keep them warm, but it also helps wick away any moisture. Don’t skimp on the straw! And make sure it’s straw, not hay. I needed mine in a pinch and just bought a small bundle from Amazon (for a hellacious price).
- Package Contents: You will receive 1 LB premium natural wheat straw, which is after drying treatment, ensuring it is free of weed seeds and that no pl…
- Vacuum Packaging: This straw uses vacuum packaging to ensure that the straw is sealed and keeps it clean and soft. In addition, it is easy to use and …
- Versatile Use: You can use it to provide warmth and comfort to pets or use it as garden mulch. It will make your plants grow more vigorously and appea…
I know this is pricy for straw – I was in a bind and settled for this! There are plenty of other cheap straw options than using Amazon!
The most obvious thing I wanted to add was blankets. Of course, blankets are warm! They’re essential! But I learned quickly, reading through various sites on the topic, that blankets actually hold moisture. They can freeze and make our small friends cold in an instant. Double up on the straw in lieu of adding a blanket.
The Secret Ingredient: A Microwavable Heating Pad
A few other sites suggested space heaters or pluggable heading pads. That may work for some. But as someone who has an almost 100-year-old house, I’m not leaving anything plugged in for a long period of time without my supervision. Are you kidding me?
So, I ventured into the Wild World of Reddit at 4am on a particularly cold night, right after making Lil’ Bit her shelter. I asked some of the stray/feral cat folks on there for their suggestions for a plug-in heating pad alternative. And boy, did they deliver.
If there’s one thing you absolutely need to add to your outdoor cat shelter, I would argue it’s this:
- Safe and Soothing Warmth: The Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad provides up to 10 hours of safe and soothing wa…
- Non-Toxic Thermapol Compound: The plate-size pad is filled with non-toxic thermapol compound that heats up in your micro…
- Ideal for All Breeds: The Snuggle Safe Pet Bed Microwave Heating Pad is ideal for newborn, convalescent, and elderly pet…
Looking at some of the reviews, it appears the Snugglesafe is used quite frequently for litters – it keeps those little taters all snuggled up and warm! But there’s no reason it can’t work for older animals with joint pains/poor circulation. Or even for our Lil’ Bit outside in her shelter.
The instructions (yes, there are instructions) include suggested microwave time according to wattage, but I needed to tweak mine a bit. The instructions suggested 5 minutes, but parts of the disc were still a bit cool. 6 minutes did the trick, so I popped the cover back on and took it out to Lil’ Bit for her final thoughts.
The Verdict
I’m an animal lover, but cats are a bit harder to figure out than the average goofy, happy-go-lucky dog. And perhaps it’s because it was so cold the night we tried the Snugglesafe disc, but she immediately went inside her little house and snuggled up on top of it. An immediate thumbs up from the girl!
Here are my final thoughts:
Value: 9/10 – I know spending close to $30 for a stray cat might be out of the realm of possibility for some folks, and I understand that. Personally, I wanted to provide this little soul with a place to rest, and in doing so, I wanted to make sure it was safe and suitable to get her through the night. This is a great alternative to pluggable heating pads, so while the price is a bit higher, it’s worth it.
Functionality: 9/10 – I’m docking this slightly because even though I microwave it for the same time, every time (6 minutes), the result varies a bit. Sometimes some areas are a little too hot to the touch, but sometimes it’s warm and easy to handle. There is a variance in temperature that I haven’t been able to figure out yet, so just be aware of that.
Style: 7/10 – The cover for the Snugglesafe is maybe the “worst” part of this product. The cover is really just that – once the disc is warmed up enough, it slides right into the cover and is sealed with a small strip of velcro. Maybe it’s because I’ve been sliding it in and out of a jagged entrance, but the cover has already started to fray at the seams. I’m still able to seal it properly, but it has started to fray. Just another thing to keep in mind.
Use: 10/10 – This was truly the missing ingredient for Lil’ Bit’s outdoor shelter; the straw and the container are the top two. And yes, she may have survived the winter without the Snuggle Safe, but it definitely elevated her shelter into something warm and cozy. She absolutely loves it.
Overall Rating: 8.8/10
Have Y’all Tried This?
I’m beyond thrilled that this product worked for my small friend. If you have the spare change in your budget and want a sure-fire addition to an outdoor cat shelter, you can’t go wrong with the Snugglesafe disc! And, if it doesn’t work, you can always get your money back from Amazon.
Have you ever constructed an outdoor shelter for a stray? If so, what were some of the critical ingredients you used? Share them below!
Want some food reviews instead? Check out my latest review here.
Until next time,
Megan
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