Merry Eleventh Day of Christmas!

Today is the Eleventh Day of Christmas, and pup Astrid wants to share with you all how festive she looked on her Christmas morning walk.

Honestly, that sweater wasn't just a fashion statement on Christmas morning. It was frigid outside, and so though we were just going for a short walk to get Astrid's wiggles out and to let her do her thing, I insisted she wear the sweater. Though she isn't a huge fan of wearing it, she complied. And she enjoyed the freezing cold walk a lot more than I did.

Merry Eleventh Day of Christmas!

***

Festive Flashback Doodle of the Day

This flashback doodle seems apt enough for today.

***

Tip of the Day

As we mentioned yesterday, today's tip regards what type of bedding to put in an outdoor cat shelter, such as for feral cats. We'll start by cutting right to the chase and saying that an ideal form of bedding for an outdoor shelter is straw. A cat can burrow down in straw in order to stay as warm as possible in the cold. Unlike blankets and towels, straw will not hold moisture, and therefore will less likely freeze or become uncomfortable in rain, snow, and so forth. This is one huge reason why straw is often a better choice over cloth bedding material, because it can repel moisture, and can therefore allow for a consistent, dry, warm form of bedding for outdoor cats. Straw can also be more easily replaced or replenished, as opposed to cloth bedding, should it get dirty. That being said, do make sure you know the difference between straw and hay. They are not the same thing, and hay will hold onto moisture, become wet and uncomfortable for outdoor cats, and can also become moldy when wet. Go for straw, not hay.

If you do put out cloth bedding for outdoor cats, check it regularly. If it is wet or dirty, be sure to replace it, clean it, and so forth. Try to keep all cloth bedding in areas where it is least likely to get wet, so that feral or other outdoor cats can use it comfortably. Cloth bedding works best in shelters that are free of leaks and that are in some way heated, as that will help it remain dry and comfortable.