Winter Care for Cats

Winter is officially well underway, and we’ll likely see more frigid temperatures before it warms up. Cats make great snuggle buddies on cold nights! Although Fluffy is wearing a fur coat, she’s still vulnerable to freezing temperatures and other winter hazards. Here, a Thorold, ON vet discusses winter care for cats.

Many of us love to dig into some comfort food when it’s chilly out. Cats are no different. Offer your kitty good, nourishing food, but don’t overindulge her. If your pet goes outside, or is a kitten or nursing mama, she may need extra portions in cold weather. Older cats often get stiff and sore in winter: if your furball is a senior, she may benefit from certain supplements. Ask your vet for specific nutritional recommendations.

Don’t let Fluffy become a complete couch potato! Make sure that your kitty has lots of toys, and play with her daily.

Candles, potpourri burners, heating elements, and fireplaces can all be very dangerous for kitties. It’s much too easy for Fluffy to accidentally let her tail get too close to a flame. Use secure grates to keep your cat away from fireplaces and heaters, and burn candles only in high, secure spots.

Your feline friend may spend a chunk of the cold season napping: kitties sleep even more than usual in dreary weather. Provide your drowsy pet with lots of comfy beds, and let her snooze on your lap if she likes. Sleeping cats are super cute! If you want to pamper your cat, consider getting her a thermal or heated bed to snuggle up in.

Make sure your pet’s personal powder room is in a quiet, convenient place that isn’t too cold. No one likes a chilly bathroom!

Kitties are always safer indoors, but winter is a particularly dangerous time for them. If Fluffy gets caught out in the cold, she could get very sick, and could even get frostbite. Antifreeze is another danger: it’s extremely toxic to cats, but has a taste that many of them find appealing. If you do let your cat go out, make sure she has an emergency shelter, and bring her in at night, when it’s really cold, and before snowfalls.

Please contact us, your local Thorold, ON animal hospital, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are always here to help!