09/18/2025
This!!! Good lawd that stuff is not meant to keep kitties warm!
DO NOT USE CRAFT STRAW FOR CAT SHELTERS! Most of the craft straws are crushed and therefore don’t have the insulating properties needed. Other craft straws are bleached, others have a tacking substance that makes it sticky. It is not optimum for the purpose needed.
Fall is upon us and it’s time to start thinking about the Feral Cats and their outdoor shelters. As has been reiterated many times, the shelters should be filled with straw, not hay. However, craft straw is not appropriate either! The type you buy at Michaels, Amazon and other craft stores does not provide the insulation that is needed. You need to buy bales of straw from feed stores or landscaping companies or nurseries. Straw is a natural insulator that has been used effectively for centuries to keep people and animals warm. It is hollow, acts as a natural insulator, is not edible, It doesn’t absorb water and is not prone to mold. It is a natural insulating material. Hay on the other hand, absorbs water, is digestible, does promote mold growth and does not keep animals warm! Do not use hay, and be WARNED that CRAFT straw is often ineffective and inappropriate for the use in cat shelters.
