While during our childhood cats, just like dogs, were mainly outdoor animals that were only allowed to come home during the really cold weather, today they hang out with us on the couch and enjoy the warmth of the central heating. How to take care of them if they still want to look outside sometimes?
Many cats, despite the winter temperatures, or even the snow cover, cannot deny themselves a regular visit to the territory they consider their own. Whether it is a purebred animal with a long pedigree, or a fairly ordinary country mouse, we must not underestimate the risks that await pets outside in winter. After all, they are members of our household, so we have to (and want to) take care of them accordingly.
Cats are magical companions:
They need a warm shelter
The first and most important point of support for the cat in its winter outdoor trips is provision of accessible shelter. “Although the cat carries with it natural insulation in the form of fur of varying thickness, this is still not sufficient protection against long-term exposure to severe cold without opportunities to hide at least to leeward ideally in a space where the animal can ‘heat’ itself,” emphasized cat breeder, engineer Kristýna Melicharová.
You don’t have to build a palace…
“A plastic box is enough, which we cover on the outside with, for example, polystyrene, but you can also use a wooden box. The main thing is that we they didn’t put a blanket or similar material inside that gets wet easily and freezes in the cold. It will be perfect.”
Beware of chemistry
Apart from the cold itself, cats also lie in wait outside in the winter chemical hazardswhich they are unlikely to meet in the summer. It can be, for example, about antifreezewhich we use for cars. It’s about her a taste that, unfortunately, is pleasant for our furry friends, although ethylene glycol, which plays a major role in the mixture, is fatally dangerous for them.
Packs are in danger
The salt we sprinkle on the sidewalks for better accessibility, although cats will not consume them, they are at risk of another danger – and this is it scratching the pads on the paws. This can cause painful cracks that can easily get infected. In addition, when the cat wants to clean itself after returning home, it also licks the mentioned salt. This is definitely not good. “We should for the cats always wash after returning from an outdoor walk, or at least with a suitable children’s wash without perfume, wipe paws. In this way, we will protect them not only from defects at the point of tread, but even digestive problems,” emphasized Kristýna Melicharová.
We prevent colds with nutrition
And what next? When we let the cat outside in the winter, it should also be visually prepared for the stay in the cold sufficient nutrition. “In the cold, cat it consumes a lot of energy just to keep the body temperature within the norm. That’s why it’s needed increase caloric intake in the feed ration,” added the breeder, who also emphasized the necessity available water even in freezing conditions.
Make sure water is available
“When you leave the cat outside for a long time, you must ensure that it has access to water that will not freeze. For a few hours, it is enough to pour warm water into the bowl, which will gradually cool down, but will remain in a liquid state. But if the cat is to be outside even longer, it is possible to heated bowl“, she added essential information.
How is it at your house? Do the cats go outside or are they used to living only in the apartment?
