Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Cats in Thule

Temperatures here in my part of the globe have fallen tremendously in the last week. Right now, at noon, the temperature is -22° Celsius (-7.6° Fahrenheit), with a wind-chill of -31° C (-23.8 F). This is about as cold as I can bicycle for any great deal of time.

Of course, more important is how the outsider-cats fare in such weather. I have my tube-house ready for any homeless felines, but, while someone, according to pawprints seen, investigated (probably due to the catnip I scattered at the entrance and inside), no one has come to stay. Food has been eaten, but what they probably need most is water.

The heated water-bowl has been working over-time. On the weekend, the bowl froze over every hour or so. I kept smashing the ice and adding more water, but it was a losing battle, especially at night. I thought to myself that the bowl just wasn’t meant for such extreme temperatures. But yesterday and today, it has been coping well. Crystals formed prettily around the rim, but the water remained liquid - all when the day’s temperatures are comparable to the weekend’s.

The difference, I think, must have been the humidity. That quality was high on Saturday and Sunday, but has lessened considerably since. It is something in connection with which I will keep watch. Last night, when the water was liquid, and the heated bowl was bravely fulfilling its purpose at -35°, someone made little pawprints in the snow, directly to where he knew he would find a clean drink. I would hate to have any of those little feet find disappointment.

15 comments:

  1. We believe that our ferals showed up in our yard, because of our sump pump discharge! Liquid water, in the wintertime. They were lapping up the water on the side of the house, then investigated around. We saw their prints on the deck, and spied the cats through the windows, so I put out food and clean water...et voila! Feral cat colony caretaker!

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  2. I don't know if this works on bowls but I do know it helps insulate shelters; I've heard setting the bowl in styrofoam will help ? I imagine the bowl would have to fit tightly ?? maybe the heated bowl needed a break ? ~~~~~ rather like a furnace ☺☺♥3

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  3. That's a hard-working bowl (and human), to chug along at those cold temps (even if it did freeze over). I hope it continues to do its job, it's obviously needed.

    But biking at those temps...! I hope you wear thermal layers!

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  4. The strays must be having a miserable winter in your neck of the woods. Bless you for doing what you can for them.

    I found this article that gave some tips for keeping the water bowls from freezing. Maybe it can be of some help.

    https://www.neighborhoodcats.org/how-to-tnr/colony-care/stop-freezing-water

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  5. Oh John. MY heart breaks for them and thank you for what you are doing.

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  6. The care you're giving the feral cats is fantastic. Ally Cat Allies may have some tips on how to keep the water from freezing. If you go to their website perhaps you can get some ideas.

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  7. The cats are very fortunate to have you to make sure they have fresh water. It must be very difficult in those extreme temperatures.

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  8. My heart breaks to think there are any cats wandering about in the ridiculously cold weather. Thank you for what you're doing for these vulnerable animals.

    Eileen

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  9. Wow great idea with the heated water. But I'm afraid I can't afford for this right now - too many cats I'm taking care about. To be honest - winter like this is regular here in Poland. Between the December-February we have usually around -20 to -30 Celsius degrees. As I mentioned before - I also take care of free living cats (the rest of volunteers too) and we usually put salted water for cats during the severe frosts. This is the only way it won't freeze. Of course too much salt is not the best for cats, but to be honest - it's better than no water

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    Replies
    1. Have you tried using sugar instead of salt? I understand that lowers the freezing temperature of water as well, though perhaps not as much as does salt.

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  10. I've added a little sugar to the water jug I keep for our feral and it does help - though not in the extreme cold we had last week.

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  11. Thank you for the tip on adding sugar to the outside water bowl! Never heard of this. Does it last for a few hours or maybe longer?
    I've been giving my feral heated chicken broth with the -50 windchills we were experiencing. He sure drank that quick.
    Last night we had an ice storm and found my feral in the tote container staying dry while waiting for his food. I can't wait for winter to end. I worry constantly about the outside animals!

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  12. Can't imagine being that cold. Wonderful that you have shelter etc for outdoor kitties.

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  13. Those are truly awful temperatures. Thank you for caring for the homeless cats. I do hope if they are not making use of your little shelter then they have found a warm place.

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  14. My heart aches to think of the homeless that are outside during these frigid temperatures. Thank you for all you do.

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