Скачать или смотреть cold weather tips for cats

While cats often have thick coats, they are still susceptible to the dangers of cold weather, especially older or thin-coated cats.

Keeping your feline friend safe and comfortable when the temperatures drop requires focusing on warmth, nutrition, and safety checks.

Here are 6 essential tips for keeping cats safe and healthy during cold weather:

🏡 1. Focus on Indoor Warmth
Ensure your indoor environment is comfortable, especially for senior cats who are prone to cold joints.

Provide Cozy Spots: Place cat beds, blankets, or heating pads (specifically made for pets) in draft-free areas where your cat likes to nap. A bed near a sunny window is often a favorite.

Insulate Sleeping Areas: Elevate beds slightly off cold tile or concrete floors, as cold surfaces can quickly draw heat away from their bodies.

💧 2. Check Hydration and Food Intake
Cats may drink less when it's cold, but hydration is still crucial. Calorie needs may also increase slightly.


Monitor Water: Ensure water bowls aren't near drafty windows where water could become too cold. Consider using a ceramic or glass bowl instead of metal, and think about a pet water fountain to encourage drinking.

Slight Calorie Adjustments: If your cat spends any time outside, or if they are generally lean, their body uses more energy to stay warm. A vet may advise a slight increase in food to compensate for increased metabolic demand.

🐾 3. Protect Paws and Skin
Cold weather can dry out your cat's skin, and outdoor dangers increase.

Moisture Check: The low humidity inside during winter can lead to dry, flaky skin. Ensure their diet includes Omega-3s (like those from fish oil) to support skin and coat health.


Outdoor Danger: If your cat goes outside, antifreeze is highly toxic and often leaks from vehicles. Immediately wipe your cat’s paws when they come back inside to remove any chemical residue or street salt.

🚪 4. Outdoor Shelter (For Community/Feral Cats)
If you care for outdoor or feral cats, providing safe shelter is vital for their survival.

Build an Insulated Box: Use a plastic tote or wooden box insulated with straw (hay holds moisture and isn't ideal). Ensure the entrance is small, just large enough for the cat, to keep heat in.

Elevate: Place the shelter slightly off the ground to prevent moisture and cold transfer from the soil.

🚗 5. Check Car Hoods and Wheel Wells
This is a critical safety practice, especially in freezing temperatures.

Tap Before You Turn: Outdoor and feral cats often climb into warm car engines or under the hood/wheel wells for protection from the cold. Always bang loudly on the car hood or honk the horn a few times before starting the engine to give any sleeping cat a chance to escape.

🩺 6. Monitor Senior Cat Joints
Cold temperatures can exacerbate arthritis and chronic pain, even if the cat stays strictly indoors.

Watch Mobility: Watch for hesitation when jumping or climbing stairs. If mobility decreases, consult your vet; they may recommend joint supplements or pain medication.

Warm Ramps/Steps: Provide easy-access ramps or small steps up to their favorite sleeping spots (like the sofa or bed) to reduce strain on cold joints.