Cats and Colder Weather
Winter can be a wonderful time of year and there is nothing quite like snuggling up with a cat indoors during a cold spell. The cold weather can present a few risks to our feline friends however, so it is important you're prepared. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a few tips on how you can keep your feline friend warm and safe this winter.
Cats keen to venture outdoors might still want to brave the temperatures, even during a harsh winter. If your cat has access to the outdoors, provide them with a shelter to ensure they are safe.
If you’ve got a cat flap, you’ll need to make sure your cat can get easily in and out. A heavy snowfall or icy patch might result in the cat flap becoming stuck, or blocked.
If you can, make sure your cat comes inside at night, locking the catflap once they are inside. Provide them with warm, comfortable and safe places to sleep.
Regularly check sheds, outhouses and garages to ensure your cat isn’t locked inside.
Make sure your cat is microchipped, and the details are up to date. If they do wander off in search of a warm place, they’ll be easily traced back to your address.
If the weather becomes particularly cold, keep your cat indoors. While they might seem bored or restless, pet cats aren’t used to extreme temperatures and can even develop frostbite or hypothermia. Keep them entertained and exercised with enrichment toys and feeders.
As we know all too well from our recent horror story with Henry (which you can find out more about here) During the cold winter months cats will often seek out any warm space they can find. One particularly irresistible lure seems to be the cozy confines of a warm car engine. Unfortunately, cats that seek shelter under the hoods of cars can then be injured or killed when that car is started. We recommend you give a little pound on your bonnet or slam the car door before you start your car. It’s always a good idea to check underneath your car to see if cats are hiding. You can also honk your horn before starting your car to help wake up any sleeping cats under or in your engine.
On a similar subject, most people may use Antifreeze on their cars in the morning to clear windows or car radiators, but it is extremely toxic to cats. Antifreeze is sweet, so cats like the taste. But a lethal dose is reported to be around 1 to 1.4 ml per kg of bodyweight. That means just one 5ml teaspoon could be enough to kill a cat. If you are using antifreeze or any product containing ethylene glycol please be very careful where you store it. And if you spill any, clear it up straight away. If you have an ornamental garden pond, please don’t add antifreeze in the winter time. It may keep your fountains running in a cold snap, but it could put your cat’s life at risk.
If you have any further questions on what you can do to ensure your cat is safe during the colder months, feel free to email us on info@thecatwelfaregroup.org
