How to Heat an Outdoor Cat Enclosure

When heating an outdoor cat enclosure, appropriate temperature and safety are of equal concern. Despite their fur, cats require temperatures above 35 degrees F just to avoid hypothermia and need even more warmth for optimal health. Many cats chew electrical cords and investigate or snuggle up to heat sources, so pet-safe heating and correct installation procedures are critical. Heated beds, heat lamps and underfloor heating are all options for providing warmth in your outdoor cat enclosure or cattery.

Things You'll Need

  • Indoor/outdoor heated pet bed
  • Heat lamp or radiant heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide each cat with an indoor/outdoor heated bed raised off the floor. Weather-proof electric pet beds have chew-resistant cords and thermostats to prevent overheating. Temperatures stay between 100 and 104 degrees F, close to the cat's body temperature. If the cat enclosure has no outlets, use a microwavable heating pad. These can stay warm for up to 12 hours.

    • 2

      Install a light fixture and insert a 75 to 100 watt incandescent light bulb. Cover the fixture with a metal shield to soften the glare and block the cat's access to the bulb. Leave the light on all night to provide moderate warmth in spring or autumn.

    • 3

      Put in a brooder lamp to heat your outdoor cat enclosure. Brooder lamps, found at feed stores, provide significant warmth in an enclosure of up to eight feet by eight feet. They are safe to leave on all night. As of mid-2009, small chicken and pig brooder lamps cost between $10 and $20. Larger models, appropriate for bigger enclosures, go for over $100.

    • 4

      Mount an indoor/outdoor radiant heater on the wall. In winter, an electric quartz infrared heater can efficiently heat an outdoor cat enclosure of up to 10 feet by 10 feet. For safety reasons, choose a model with a thermostat control that turns the heater on and off according to the cattery's temperature and oxygen levels. As of mid-2009, these cost around $250.

    • 5

      Install an underfloor radiant heating system. Hot water and electric underfloor heating is contained entirely beneath the floor, with no hot objects above ground that could harm the cat. While an efficient source of heat, it's more appropriate for a professional cattery, since installation can cost several thousand dollars.