How to get a cat to use a shelter
Posted by on 10/16/2018

The majority of times, cats will figure out to use shelters on
their own. That said, here are things to consider if it doesn't seem
like the cat is using its shelter: - It's warm enough that
the cat simply has no pressing need to sleep in the shelter. BE PATIENT!
Some cats just need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new
shelter.
- Make it attractive with straw and catnip.
- The
cat actually has another shelter it likes. Sometimes outdoor cats are
actually just pets who go outdoors and return home to come inside. The
cat may also have a barn, crawlspace or some other shelter that it
prefers.
- Food can't be near a shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sheltering near food as food attracts other cats and wildlife.
- Location
of the shelter can be important. More feral/less sociable cats
typically want to shelter farther away from humans. Generally, cats
prefer to move along walls, hedges or other natural barriers and
boundaries, so keep a shelter near natural cover, as opposed to out in
an open area where the cat may feel exposed.
- When all else
fails, try a new location. But do it sparingly and only after giving the
cat lots of time to explore and get used to the current location.
- It's warm enough that
the cat simply has no pressing need to sleep in the shelter. BE PATIENT!
Some cats just need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new
shelter.
- Make it attractive with straw and catnip.
- The
cat actually has another shelter it likes. Sometimes outdoor cats are
actually just pets who go outdoors and return home to come inside. The
cat may also have a barn, crawlspace or some other shelter that it
prefers.
- Food can't be near a shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sheltering near food as food attracts other cats and wildlife.
- Location
of the shelter can be important. More feral/less sociable cats
typically want to shelter farther away from humans. Generally, cats
prefer to move along walls, hedges or other natural barriers and
boundaries, so keep a shelter near natural cover, as opposed to out in
an open area where the cat may feel exposed.
- When all else
fails, try a new location. But do it sparingly and only after giving the
cat lots of time to explore and get used to the current location.



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Condensation inside shelters
How to get a cat to use a shelter
Replacing Insulation on a Feralvilla Shelter
User's Photos
Heating the Feralvilla (and perhaps other) Shelter
Other options for outdoor cat shelters
Raccoons and feeding feral cats
Frequently Asked Questions
November 2018
October 2018
September 2017
December 2012
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