DEAR SUN SPOTS: You have been so helpful in the past, and I’m very grateful. Can you answer some questions about feeding wildlife in winter, please?My barn is home to feral cats this time of year, all ages judging from the paw prints. Is it OK to leave a bowl of dry cat food on the front stoop?Also, deer have been eating plants in my gardens. It’s not a problem as they will leaf out again come spring. I’m concerned because some of the plants are poisonous. I have been told to cut branches of plants they can eat, but they are far more agile and can already reach anything I can.Is there something affordable I could leave out for them? Would doing so upset some ecological balance? Thank you for any information you can provide. — Lew, Greene
ANSWER: I commend you for the heart you have for animals. It can be difficult to watch them through the winter and feel that they are struggling.
For the kitties, it would be best to bring food and water to the barn if possible so they don’t have to expend energy coming to your porch and don’t have to leave the warmth of their sanctuary to eat.
It’s recommended to feed feral cats wet food twice daily on paper (not ceramic or metal) plates when it’s cold so that leftovers don’t freeze so quickly.
Dry food is OK but it takes more energy for cats to digest it, so it’s preferable to feed outdoor cats wet food as well throughout the winter.
Also, be sure to offer water. A water bowl with a fountain feature is best to keep the water from freezing. If you can’t do that, provide bowls of warm water as often as you can.
You may also want to consider providing bedding for the kitties — straw (not hay), and blankets will keep them cozy. They also like little cubbies of their own that can be made with plastic totes, Styrofoam coolers, or even just cardboard boxes so they have a secure, private place to be.
Do you know about Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends in Greene? You can reach out to them by messaging on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tommysferalfelinefriends or write them a note and send it to PO Box 274, Greene, ME 04236-0274. They may be able to help you with your feral colony.
As for deer, I know it’s hard to see them with their ribs sticking out as they forage for food this time of year but I urge you to abstain from doing it.
Feeding deer may decrease their chance of survival. Encouraging them to congregate at a feeding area makes them more vulnerable to predators and at risk for the spread of disease. Also, deer can discern what’s good for them to eat and this may include nibbling at a toxic plant but not eating enough to make them sick.
If you see an injured or truly sick deer, contact Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at Regional Communication Center (Augusta-1-800-452-4664). And as a rule of thumb, do not feed wild animals.
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