As we head into cooler weather, it's time to start thinking about your outdoor animals.

Be Prepared Before Cold Weather Strikes

Whether you have dogs that enjoy spending a little time outside, or you care for a feral cat, when the temperatures start to dip, you need to be prepared.

A Safe Space Outside Can Be The Difference Between Life and Death

Providing a safe, comfortable place for outside animals is incredibly important but what you use to create that space is even more important - it can even be life or death.

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The Wrong Material Can Be Dangerous

Now we know that sounds dramatic, but it's the truth. Using the wrong materials when trying to help an outdoor animal really can mean the difference between life or death, especially when it comes to feral cats.

Never Use Blankets for Outdoor Animals

Whether it's a dog house or a makeshift cat house, what goes inside is what really matters. First what should never, ever go inside a doghouse or cathouse: blankets. Blankets can absorb moisture from the air, becoming damp or even wet, especially in humid conditions. When the temperatures drop below freezing, those blankets do far more harm than good. In fact, they can freeze to the animal, making them essentially a death sentence.

READ MORE: 7 Reasons to Adopt a Black Cat

Avoid Using Hay for Outdoor Animal Bedding

Another material that should not be used for outdoor bedding is hay. Hay, not to be confused with straw, is typically green in color and is used as feed for livestock and small animals. Hay is heavy and like blankets, can absorb and hold moisture. This make hay a poor choice for outdoor bedding.

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Use Straw For Outdoor Animal Bedding and You'll Be Golden

So what should you use? Straw. Despite not being traditionally soft like a blanket, straw actually makes the best bedding for outdoor animals. Gold in color, and made from leftover stalks from crops. It is moisture resistant, and provides excellent insulative properties to keep outdoor pets dry and warm.

If you need help building an outdoor cathouse for any ferals you may  have in your neighborhood, the video below provides clear, easy to follow instructions.

Essential Winter Emergency Kit Items

Winter season in means cold temperatures, heavy snow, and slick roads. Hopefully, you won't ever need to tap into your winter emergency kit, but it's better to have one in your car than to be unprepared. Make sure you have these essential items in your car before winter arrives in Montana.

Gallery Credit: Connor Kenney/Townsquare Media Quad Cities

 

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