Cats react differently to the cold: some hide under a blanket even in the slightest draught, while others sleep soundly in the snow during freezing weather. But all cats behave the same way in winter: they sleep a lot, eat a lot and move very little. During this period, you need to monitor your pet’s behaviour carefully and be able to anticipate what help it will need.
Winter walks
A cat that walks regularly and for long periods outdoors is sufficiently hardened and has the necessary skills to keep from freezing. A thick fleece will keep your cat from freezing, even if it is ten degrees or more below zero. Of course, this applies only to healthy animals with sufficient body mass.
However, it is not recommended to take kittens and untrained cats out for their first walk in the winter when it is cold – the animal may catch cold. Therefore, if you have a cat that has come to live with you during the warm season and you have decided to take it for a walk, do not waste time – let the cat get used to the natural pace of the environmentto reduce the risk of her circadian rhythm, take her for regular walks.
That way, the winter cold will not shock her. If your cat has come to you during the winter, don’t risk its health – wait for the spring sunshine.
Protecting cats’ paws from the chemical agents that are liberally spread on pavements and roads has recently become a problem in big cities. The reagents gnaw at the delicate skin of cats’ paws and cause burns. To avoid similar injuries, it is recommended that paws are coated with a protective coating before going for a walk.
The product shall be applied before each walk, covering the skin of the paw pads and toes. When the cat returns home, the paws should be washed with warm water and dried. Similar products are available in pet shops and veterinary pharmacies.
How to help a cat with frostbite
If your cat gets wet or, worse, frostbite outside in winter, you need to provide emergency help. Dry your cat with towelsthat absorb moisture well, or a hairdryer if the cat is not afraid of it.
At the same time, check for frostbite. The tips of the ears, the tail and the paws are the most common. The frostbitten part is cold, insensitive and the skin is pale. Later, the skin becomes red, swollen and inflamed.
A mildly frostbitten cat should be gradually warmed up by wrapping it in a blanket or a dry warming compress.
The compress is made of a thick layer of cotton wool wrapped around several layers of sterile gauze. The compress is secured with a bint. In the case of more serious frostbite, blisters and moist wounds may appear on the skin, the cat may become sluggish and the body temperature may drop. In this case, an urgent referral to a veterinary clinic is needed for qualified assistance.
We warm up a cat in an apartment
Cats sleep more in winter and try to snuggle up on the radiator or under a blanket. The preferred air temperature for a cat is 20-25 degrees. Hairless sphynxes and cats without a perineum are more sensitive to a drop in temperature.r for draughts compared to cats with a dense undercoat.
Even if a cat does not go outside in the cold, it can still get cold. The shivering muscles and the cold paws that the cat tries to hide underneath will tell you if it is cold. The cat rushes to a warm place, for example to lie down on a radiator or to lie under a blanket.
Long-haired cats need to be properly groomed and the fur should not be allowed to mat, so that the cat does not lose warmth. For cats with frostbite, and rarely in the undercoat, it is recommended to buy special clothing for pets. Special mats for animals are also available in pet shops. Some electric mats provide constant warmth, while others only start to heat when the cat lies down on them.
Feeding cats in winter
When feeding cats in winter, it is important to follow the following rules:
- Feed your cat frequently, in small portions;
- Increase the number of calories in the daily ration, as the body needs extra energy to keep warm;
- Try not to overfeed your cat: let it eat in small amounts of food;