Need help with barn cat

Question

well i really want to get a barn cat(about 2-4months old one) but i live in indiana. In are barn in the summer my mom dad say its like 100 degrease in the barn. when its really like only... mabe 75 80... but in the winter it can get to like 10 or 20 in the barn. so i was wondering if anything can help witg that. and we have 4 wild cats liveing behide a wood pile. its not to close to the barn but my mom and dad think the wild cats my rape the kitten if we get one. were probly going to cage them soon so thats not to big of a problem so i really just need help with the barns temp and how to keep the cat warm at night in winter, and how to keep it cool in the summer.

Answer 1

You already have 4 barn cats.  Cats that hang around your property but don't really belong to you are "barn cats."  Just start putting food out for them.  It is very strange to think feral cats would rape a kitten, however they could fight and it could get ugly.  I would not recommend getting a kitten and leaving it outdoors.  Just feed the cats you have hanging around already.

Answer 2

Do you want a barn cat for mouse cotrol mainly? If so adopt a couple of the outdoor kitties you have now for the job and have them spayed or neutered.   This will of course prevent breeding and producing kittens but will also help them to become closer to tame.   These cats are used to the place and can be allowed to come and go through a small cat door  giving them the freedom to go out when it is too hot i the barn. They are already bonded to your place so they will not wander off.    In winter you can use a " dogaloo" (insulated igloo shaped dogouse) with hay or straw inside to help them use their own body heat to keep them warm.

However it sounds like what your parents are really saying is that they do not like the idea of a barn cat and if that is the case you may be better off waiting a while because with every animal there are expenses and care it needs and unless you can pay thiose on our own it will be your parents' responsibility.

Answer 3

Cats are pretty self-sufficient.

In the summer, be sure it always has a shaded area and plenty of  fresh water.

In the winter, give it some straw and maybe a box to snuggle in.

You should get your kitty spayed/neutered as soon as the vet says it is okay.  If you do, other cats won't rape it.

Wild cats often have FIV and FeLV.  It would be a good idea to trap them and have the vet give them tests, and to vaccinate them, as well as your kitty.

Answer 4

I have 5 kittens that are my barn cat's that we're giving away to good homes, but we're in mississipi...sorry

Answer 5

Surgically suture the cat to your head?

Answer 6

I would get one at least 1/2 yr old so that a barn owl won't eat it. Assuming you have hay in your barn, the cat will love it! I have one unintential barn cat who sleeps in the barn every night. As for the raping, get it spayed or neutered. The Humane Society's animals usually come that way. Hope you get a shelter cat!

Answer 7

Get it spayed/neutered BEFORE bringing it home, though, as you don't want any more feral cats running around! =) I would suggest making sure it has water at ALL times and a place to seek shelter in the winter and a shady spot in the summer. Cats are very hearty creatures, but keeping them comfortable is a must. I would get an older kitten, however, as they are more likely to survive being out in the elements, per se. But DO get it spayed/neutered-- the barn cats might fight with it, but if it is not an object of attraction, they will leave it alone a lot more easily. =) Hope this helps.