Some of my cats will huddle together some of the time, but it would
take only one blizzard to reduce two cats to one if it occurred when
they weren't willing to huddle together.  Or, since small animals
don't put out enough heat to do much good in a large dog house,
perhaps even reduce the count to zero, depending on which way the wind
was blowing.

I think multiple *small* but well insulated, and possibly artificially
heated shelters would be a better bet if the climate is harsh.  I have
a rectangular metal heating pad sold for putting inside pet beds - I
suspect that two small shelters with heated beds would do nicely in
most cold climates for two cats.  I think I would make the shelters
just large enough to hold both cats in case they did want to huddle
together, but still provide them the option of separate accommodations
if they didn't.  I'm not sure what I would do about the wind and
blowing rain/snow issue, but putting the shelters close to and facing
a wall would probably go a long way toward solving it.

--
T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu)

snip

My cats are deeply offended by that comment, but they look down on you too
much to even respond. ;-)

Unless your previous home exploded or you had to find a place to live in 4
hours or less, you had to be aware of some kind of conditions said landlord
uttered to you about any pets. Therefore, if you were going to share living
quarters with a landlord/roommate who didn't want the cats inside while you
were out, then you don't move in! Unless you live in an 0 crime area, you must
think about possibilities in terms of the cats' safety.  It's true that people,
say in certain parts of Vermont, USA and other parts of the globe do not lock
their houses or cars, zillions of other people in other parts of the planet, do
lock their cars and their houses. So...back to the issue of leaving the cats
alone - unattended - in your backyard.  That's a risky deal. Anyone can come
into the backyard and taunt them, hurt them, or take them.  It IS possible.
True, they could smash a window and break into said house, but it's less
likely..especially if one doesn't know that there's cats in the house.  I just
wouldn't want to chance it.