As you can see the winter has arrived and also with force. Cats are especially sensitive to low temperatures, so you may notice changes in their behaviour in cold weather.
You will notice that they spend more time hiding, getting between the blankets or inside the bed, even looking for the warmest parts of the house. These are clear indicators that the winter makes a dent and that you must protect them so that they do not suffer at this time of year.
We are going to explain some aspects to take into account to protect our cats from the cold.
Your coat
Your cat’s main defence against the cold is her coat. Therefore, it is very important that your cat stays healthy and brushed. You will notice at this time that her hair is more abundant and her loss is less.
It is recommended that in cold weather you brush your cat’s hair frequently, especially if she has long hair. In this way, you will prevent it from becoming tangled, falling out or even dermatitis.
Food
Mainly, if it is a kitten that you let out of your house, these will require an extra of calories in its body. You will have to give him food rich in fats so that it contributes more calories to him and thus to protect itself of the cold.
There are even vitamins that strengthen your kitten’s defences. These vitamins can only be taken if your vet agrees and recommends them.
On the other hand, if you have a kitten that doesn’t leave the house, you won’t need to change her diet. They themselves tend to reduce their physical activity in order to maintain their high calorie load and if they are overfed they could develop obesity.
Beware of warm clothing
Cats aren’t like dogs, which you can put overcoat accessories on. For cats their own hygiene is of vital importance. So no matter how cold it gets, you should avoid putting any warm clothing on them. It’s best to prepare a warm blanket where he can lie down or even get under it as he likes.
If your cat’s bed is on the floor, it’s best to put it on or raise it to another height to prevent it from getting too cold. In extreme cold, you can also place a thermal blanket over your cat’s bed. You should also keep an eye on the temperature, as excess heat can be counterproductive.
Closed windows and doors
Try to have your house with the windows and doors closed to avoid currents. But if your cat is one of those who likes to walk around the house, make sure she can come back whenever she needs to.
Beware of cats with little or no hair
Another aspect to take into account would be the coat. With cat breeds sensitive to low temperatures you should pay special attention.
This group would include cats without hair as sphinx cats or Sphynx. In the case of cats that do not have hair it would be advisable to equip them with warm clothing to help maintain the ideal body temperature.
Special care for puppies and cats over 7 years old
Puppies need special care as they have an underdeveloped immune system and are more vulnerable to cold than adult cats. So as well as protecting them from the cold, you have to spoil them and give them a special diet. Of course, always consult your vet.
Also in the case of cats older than 7 years -age to which their defenses begin to weaken- their capacity to support the cold is much smaller, since this will be one of the effects derived from the advanced age.
Kittens with chronic diseases
Chronically ill kittens have lower defences and are more susceptible to feeling cold, which can lead to a cold. Joint and locomotor-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis and arthritis, may be accentuated by low temperatures.
Remember that cats also get sick and that we must help them to endure the winter.
And as we always recommend, if you notice strange behaviour or other complications visit your vet, he will know better than anyone what the best care is so that the cold is not a problem.
