How to Keep Community Cats Safe During Arkansas Cold Snaps

What helps, what hurts, and why it matters

Winter in Arkansas is tricky. It’s not the kind of winter people picture, long stretches of snow and steady cold. It’s the kind where one day feels manageable, and the next brings freezing rain, biting wind, and a sudden overnight temperature drop.

Every winter, we hear the same questions from people caring for community cats:How can I keep them safe? Do they need heat? Is what I’m doing enough?

Community cats are resilient, but they’re not invincible. And winter care isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, consistently, and understanding where nuance matters.

Why Arkansas Winters Can Be Especially Hard on Outdoor Cats

Arkansas cold snaps are sneaky. The danger isn’t always the temperature itself, it’s the combination of:

• Wet cold that pulls heat away from the body

• Wind that cuts through fur and shelter openings

• Sudden temperature swings that stress a cat’s ability to regulate warmth

  
  

Community cats rely on a few key things to get through winter safely:

• Dry, insulated shelter

• Protection from wind

• Extra calories

• Reliable access to water

When one of those pieces is missing, even healthy cats can struggle.

Shelter Basics That Actually Make a Difference

Straw, Not Blankets - This is one of those lessons that bears repeating every winter.

Straw is for strays. Hay is for horses. Blankets are for indoors.

Straw repels moisture and allows cats to burrow and trap body heat. Blankets, towels, and hay absorb moisture, freeze, and can actually pull warmth away from a cat’s body. What feels cozy to us often works against them outdoors.

If you remember one thing this winter: dry straw beats soft fabric every time.

Shelters - Size, Placement, and Setup Matter

Shelters don’t need to be fancy.

• Smaller shelters stay warmer than oversized ones

• One to two cats per shelter is ideal

• Elevating shelters off the ground helps reduce cold transfer

• Face openings away from prevailing wind and rain

• Openings should face towards a structure with a gap, not open

• Multiple shelters allow cats to choose what feels safest

It’s also normal for cats to share shelters during extreme cold.

Feeding and Water During Cold Snaps

Staying warm takes energy.

During cold weather, cats burn more calories just maintaining body heat. If you’re able:

• Increase food slightly

• Mix in kitten food for extra calories

• Feed earlier in the day before temperatures drop

• Remove uneaten wet food before it freezes

Water matters just as much:

• Check daily

• Refresh often during freezes

• Use insulated bowls if available

• Never assume snow is enough, it isn’t

Dehydration is a real risk in winter, even when it’s cold.

A Word About Artificial Heat

This is often where conversations get complicated, especially among experienced caregivers, and that’s okay. Real-world care isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Small, enclosed cat shelters (like plastic totes or wooden boxes) are very different from larger structures such as sheds, garages, or barns. In tight spaces with flammable materials and limited airflow, insulation and wind protection are safer and more reliable than artificial heat.

In larger, well-ventilated structures with solid flooring and regular human supervision, some caregivers may choose to use supplemental heat thoughtfully. Even then, it requires care, monitoring, and an understanding of the risks. If artificial heat is used, keep temperatures low, generally in the 50s to low 60s.

Because we can’t control how advice is applied, or how closely setups are monitored, we always lead with electricity-free solutions that work in power outages, don’t fail mechanically, and scale safely across many environments.

Insulation first. Heat only when the setup truly supports it.

❄️ Artificial Heat Can Make Things Worse

This part surprises people.

When cats rely on artificial heat:

• They may stop growing thicker winter coats

• They may choose shelters based on warmth, not safety

• If power fails, the sudden temperature drop is more dangerous than steady cold

  
  

Cats do best with consistent, dry insulation, not fluctuating heat.

✅ What Actually Works Better (And Safer)

Instead of artificial heat, focus on:

• Proper insulation (straw, foam boards)

• Wind protection

• Smaller shelter sizes

• Dry, elevated placement

• Microwavable disks*

• Multiple shelters so cats can choose

These methods work with a cat’s natural ability to regulate body heat, not against it.

*For microwavable warming disks or pads: we recommend using them only overnight and removing them in the morning. Once these products cool, they can actually draw heat away from a cat’s body rather than providing warmth. These products should never be used as the sole source of warmth and should always be paired with proper insulation and shelter.

How We Support Winter Care

At Community Cat Support Network, winter support looks like:

• Practical education and guidance

• Shelter-building resources

• Supplies like straw and food

• Helping caregivers prepare before emergencies hit

Winter care isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing the safest things consistently, and supporting the people who show up every day for these cats.

You’re Not Alone in This

Caring for community cats in winter can feel overwhelming, especially when the weather changes overnight and advice online contradicts itself. If you’re checking shelters, adjusting food, and paying attention, you’re already doing something that matters.

Winter care isn’t about having the “perfect” setup. It’s about thoughtful choices, learning as we go, and supporting each other through the hardest months.

👉 If you’re caring for community cats this winter, you’re not alone.