Cats and changing Weather
Changing weather means changing needs for your cat, with the
summer and winter months bringing particular problems for
cats.
Winter
If you keep your cat indoors (or keep her in just for the
winter) she won't be affected by the drop in temperature or the
hazards of cold weather. But there are still a few things you
can do to give your cat a little extra help.
If she normally sleeps on the floor, consider moving her bed
somewhere higher to avoid drafts. If you have an older cat, or
if your cat has arthritis, the cold weather may make her joints
stiff and uncomfortable. She may find jumping difficult, so
you'll need to help her find ways of getting to her favourite
sleeping places, especially if they're high up.
You could move a chair or other piece of furniture to make a
'ladder' so she wont have to jump as high.
Out and about
Outdoor cats should be encouraged not to stay inside too
much as the weather gets colder. The dropping temperature will
encourage your cat's body to adapt by growing a thicker coat
and building up winter immunities.
If your cat has an outdoor shelter, raise it off the ground.
Frozen earth will draw out more heat than moving air. Turn the
entrance away from the wind and consider laying down
extra-bedding. Be careful though, to avoid anything that will
retain moisture and freeze or become mouldy.
Cars and Garages
If she has access to your garage or car be careful when
starting it up. Cats will sometimes sleep on top of the engines
of parked cars because they provide shelter from the wind and
are sometimes still warm.
Never leave your cat unattended in the car in the winter.
The cold weather can quickly turn the inside of a car into a
refrigerator.
Feeding time
If you leave food outside for your cat, check it a couple
times a day to make sure it's not frozen. It is particularly
important that your cat has unfrozen water. If she can't get
clean water she could easily drink from sources contaminated by
household cleaners, road-salt and anti-freeze. Anti-freeze is
especially attractive to cats and extremely dangerous, so makes
sure to clean up any spills on your driveway.
Summer
Summertime is flea- time. So you may want to talk to your
vet about preventative flea treatments, especially if you have
an outdoor cat.
If you have a white cat, her fur and skin won't provide
enough cover to protect it from the sun. You'll need to put a
dab of sunscreen on the tips of her ears and nose.
Never leave your cat alone in the car when it's hot. A cat
can be severely ill or die from even short exposure to the
extreme heat that can build up inside a car.
More water
Both indoor and outdoor cats need extra water during hot
weather, as they can easily become dehydrated. Watch out for
the signs of heatstroke:
- Heavy panting
- Glazed over eyes
- Unsteadiness
- Staggering, vomiting
- A dark red or purple tongue
If you think your cat has heatstroke you need to take her to
a vet immediately. In the meantime try to lower her body
temperature by applying cool (not cold or freezing) water to
her body and letting her drink small amounts of cool (again not
cold or freezing) water.
Allow your cat lick to lick some ice cubes and if you have
ice packs you can apply them to your cat's head, neck and
chest.
Cats are hardy animals and can handle most changes in the
weather. A little assistance along the way will keep your cat
happy and healthy.