As the temperatures continue to drop, those of us who care for outdoor/community cats’ may be wondering how to help them stay warm.
While most cats are highly adaptable to various weather conditions and environments, here are some helpful tips or ideas to provide some extra support and safety to those outdoors in the coldest months:
- Provide Outdoor Shelter– Fully built or hand-crafted shelters can be easily purchased and inexpensive. If possible, bring your indoor/outdoor cats inside at night when the temperatures are at their lowest. HINT: Straw insulation works best to repel moisture and stay warm!
- Use The Right Bowl for Water and Wet Food- To avoid food & water from freezing outdoors, utilize deep ceramic or plastic bowls and place them in a sunny spot. HINT: Increase food portions during the winter. It will help give cats the extra energy needed to stay warm.
- Take Proper Safety Precautions– Before driving, check under the hood of your car. Outdoor cats and kittens sometimes like to find warmth and shelter underneath cars or inside the engine compartment. HINT: Don’t forget to check between your tires and wheel wells!
- Check That Your Car is Not Leaking Antifreeze– Antifreeze is highly toxic to cats (and dogs). Cats can commonly encounter antifreeze by walking through a puddle and then licking their paws. As always, keep antifreeze stored in a safe location away from pets and children.