Where to buy straw for cat shelter

Q: How often do you change the straw in a feral cat house?

Q: How often should I replace the straw Ive put inside The FeralVilla? A: This depends on how many cats use it and how much they use it. As a rule of thumb, straw should be changed out at least every 3 months.

An outdoor cat house filled with strawnot haywill keep your feline friends warm and cozy during the winter. The difference between straw and hay may seem mundane, but it can actually make a world of difference for cats. They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess.

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Standlee Hay Company Wheat or Barley Chopped Straw for Animal Bedding
What can I use instead of straw for cat shelter?
How much straw do you put in a cat shelter?
Will cats sleep on straw?
How often do you change the straw in a feral cat house?

Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It soaks up moisture, making it cold and uncomfortable for catsand has the potential to get moldy. And in the winter, a wet bed can even be dangerous, making cats more likely to get sick.

Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters. Loosely pack the straw in the shelter to the quarter or halfway point. That’s it!

The easiest way to tell the difference between straw and hay is the price: hay generally costs two or three times more than straw. Straw is tough, thick, lightweight, and yellow or golden. Hay is usually heavy and green, but there are varieties, so if you aren’t sureask the clerk!

Straw’s not too hard to come by. Check these places:

Pet supply stores
Farm, livestock, or agricultural supply stores/catalogs
Garden centers
Farmers (ask your neighbors!)
Ask your vet about local suppliers

Caregivers’ tip: Straw usually comes in bales but you only need a fraction of that to line a cat house. Just be sure you keep enough straw to freshen the shelter when the seasons change, keeping it clean and smelling good for the cats. Consider sharing a bale with other caregivers. Straw can last decades when stored properlyin a dry place and off the ground, such as a wood pallet.

Check out our feral cat shelter gallery and where to buy them
Read our winter weather tips.

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Standlee Hay Company Wheat or Barley Chopped Straw for Animal Bedding

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What can I use instead of straw for cat shelter?

While straw is one of the best materials to use for a cat shelter, other options such as shredded newspaper, cardboard, old sleeping bags, packing peanuts, and memory foam pads also work to keep cats warm and comfortable.

How much straw do you put in a cat shelter?

How much should you use? Cats will flatten the straw as they use it and some like to tunnel into the straw. Fill the shelter about one-third to one-half of the way up the inside walls. Add or change straw as needed throughout the season.

Will cats sleep on straw?

They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It soaks up moisture, making it cold and uncomfortable for catsand has the potential to get moldy.

How often do you change the straw in a feral cat house?

Q: How often should I replace the straw I've put inside The FeralVilla? A: This depends on how many cats use it and how much they use it. As a rule of thumb, straw should be changed out at least every 3 months.