Better drive to your local veterinary clinic and have Mr. Cuddles undergo a routine checkup because WINTER IS COMING. Due to the winter cold and snow, you and your cat (or dog for that matter) may encounter a number of problems that can certainly cause numerous complications and possibly even skin problems. In this case, remember to put your cat on your winter holiday checklist. Winter may be a time for resting and festivities, but there are hidden dangers that you are clueless about. Aside from the cold snow, freezing wind and hypothermia, there are some situations that you should prepare for.
The snow and the cold
Even weeks before the first snowflake hits the ground, you need to be able to stock up on supplies, both from your local grocery store and veterinary clinic. In order to prepare your cat for the extremely freezing temperatures, be sure to provide extra blankets and bedding (if Mr. Cuddles has a bed of his own) and a warm place to sleep on. Aside from which, pet coats (yes they exist) are also a viable option. Also remember to never let your cat out of the house as much as possible, but if doing so is unavoidable, remember the following:
- Like a small child, you must be able to supervise and watch over it.
- Never let it out for long periods of time. Allowing it on the snow for an hour would be okay, but allowing extended periods might make it sick.
- After it spent time outside, wipe it clean. Remember to remove and snow residue as being damp may cause an extreme drop in body temperature.
- Remember, furry cats can spend more time outside compared to short-furred breeds.
- Antifreeze is a widely used chemical that does what its name suggests. Widely used in cars and sidewalks, a little dose can prove fatal. Its sweet smell can attract both cats and dogs, so make sure to watch out for this.
If your cat experiences severe hypothermia, immediately try to warm it up. If it keeps shivering, immediately proceed to your nearest veterinary clinic.
Food and water tips
You may want to to tweak your feeding schedules and other practices during winter time. Cats during winter require special treatment. With that said, here are some recommended practices:
- Remember to provide an ample supply of water for your cat. Keep the water bowl filled at all times – and remember to change it frequently since the cold temperature may cause it to get cold really quick.
- You may only want to exclusively feed your cat with dry food. Canned wet food may reach freezing temperatures pretty easily.
- Never feed it too much. Cold weather encourages lazy behavior, meaning your cat's physical activity will be reduced dramatically. Feeding it too much will certainly increase the chances of obesity.
Burns
Though it may seem ironic, burns are actually one of the most common reasons why cat owners usually drive to the veterinary clinic during winter time. This is so mainly because of heaters and fireplaces. In order to avoid this, position your heaters out of reach from your cat (just enough to not let them be in direct exposure to it). As for fireplaces, put a guard rail that will not allow the cat to have a direct contact with the burning wood or gas log set.
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