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I can’t believe it’s winter already!  If your kitties are anything like mine, they are enjoying cheekily creeping in under the warm doona in the mornings.  The cooler weather also means more lap time as they cuddle up to keep warm (no complaints here!!).

With the onset of the cold, rainy weather it is important that we keep our feline friends safe and warm as well as ourselves.  Below are some practical tips that you can use during the cold winter months to make for happy cats:

• Litter Trays: If you have an older or unwell cat, or the weather becomes very extreme, and your cat is unable to venture outside, it may be useful to provide litter trays in the house. These should be filled with the cat’s preferred litter and placed in quiet areas to encourage the cat to use them. If you have a multi-cat household, multiple trays should be provided at different locations around the house.  See our information page on Litter box care for more details.
• Food and water: Over the winter your cat may eat more which will help it with with temperature regulation and insulation however, monitoring weight and body size is still important. Many cats prefer to stay indoors during the cold and wet weather, meaning they may eat more and do less exercise. Providing enrichment and monitoring their weight will ensure that they stay healthy.  Whether your cat is able to venture outside or is kept indoors, providing fresh clean water for them is essential. If you keep a bowl outside, regularly check it to ensure that it hasn’t iced over on those frosty mornings and ensure that it is clean. Avoid the use of chemicals in indoor water features where possible as cats will often drink from these, which can be harmful.
• Outdoors or indoors?: Most pet cats sleep in our homes, but if you have a cat that is used to being outside or a stray cat which you feed and which sleeps in the garage/shed rather than the house, make sure that it has a warm bed that is free from drafts, and blankets to keep it warm over night.  In the case of storms or very low temperatures, cats should be kept inside to keep them safe. Storms can be very disorientating, and your cat may lose its way or get injured. Keeping cats inside means that you must provide them with enrichment.  This can be in the form of a cat tower, scratching post, puzzle ball or toy, which will keep them stimulated (and help them get a little exercise). Our information page on Environmental Needs for Cats suggests some good tips.  Remember that some household items may be hazardous to cats, so make yourself aware of these.  Cats may also find some entertainment from playing with household plants or flowers in vases, but again some of these can be hazardous – lillies for example are extremely toxic to cats.
• Hotspots: Cats enjoy being warm and so will look for ‘hotspots’.  Indoors they may gravitate towards heaters and fireplaces. Prevent potential burns by protecting your cat from open fireplaces, space heaters and stoves.  Be mindful that outdoor cats may sit on or under recently parked cars to keep warm, so it is important to check for any sneaky kitties before moving the car.
• Elderly or sick cats: Cats which are inactive, have lost muscle tone/weight or have trouble maintaining their body temperature will need some extra care during the winter.  Ensure they have adequate warm, draft free places to sleep and relax – an arthritic cat will especially appreciate a bit of extra warmth.

There are a few ways we can make a safe, warm place for our kitties to snuggle up inside (as well as the standard under your doona of course!).  Those with minimal or no hair such as the Sphynx and Devon Rex may like to wear a little jumper or jacket to help retain warmth .  Investing in a “self-warming” bed is a safe way to provide additional warmth for your feline friend as it only relies on the cats own body heat (similar to the way an emergency blanket works).  Other warming products such as long-lasting heat packs, wheat bags or electric heated beds are available but must be used with caution.  An immobile, sick or injured cat must never be left on one of these devices as this may result in burns.  Additionally, an electric heat bed should not be left on when the house is unattended as these, albeit small, pose a potential fire hazard.  Keeping your kitty warm does not have to cost the earth however.  Providing them with a blanket placed inside their bed or even an open-top cardboard box will give them somewhere cosy to snuggle up in.

Stay safe and keep warm!

Dr Niquet

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