Do cats feel cold? How to keep your cat warm and healthy in winter

Follow these tips to keep your cat warm and toasty this winter.

Make sure your cat’s bedding is warm and comfortable  

Cats love having a cosy space where they feel sheltered and secure. During winter, you may find that some outdoor cats may prefer to wriggle their way inside or seek out warm, enclosed spaces to escape the chilly air.

Petbarn has a range of comfy cat beds that will keep your kitty warm. Get them a cat igloo they can snuggle into and coax them in with their favourite blanket or treat. Or get an open-topped basket bed, donut bed, or hammock to get them off the cold floor as they watch the world go by.

Where should you put your cat’s bed?

Great places you can keep their bed are on your bed or couch, on a high shelf, at the top of their scratching post. Another prime position is near the heater, though make sure not to put it too close due to fire risk.

What about cats that need a little bit of extra warmth?

For kittens, senior cats and other felines with thin coats or a lack of fur that feel the cold more acutely, like the hairless Sphynx, provide them with extra blankets and consider a microwavable heat pad. Always cover the heat pad with a towel to prevent burns.

Encourage your cat to be active

No one likes getting out of bed when it’s cold. Most cats will move at their own pace and create their own exercise. However, some indoor cats will need to be encouraged to get out of their warm bed and exercise when the weather turns cold.

Help your cat stay healthy by engaging in extra playtime, for example, rolling ping pong balls for them to chase and using other cat toys that encourage movement.

Watch your cat’s food intake

Remember that cats eating the same amount of calories but exercising less are likely to gain weight. If your cat is less active, you might have to reduce their portions slightly or find a way to make them work for their food.

For more physical and mental stimulation during mealtimes, try hiding small amounts of food in different places around your home which will encourage your cat to sniff and search for their food.

Make sure you’re feeding your cat the optimal diet for their age, breed and lifestyle.

Watch for the signs of arthritis

Cats can develop arthritis at any age, but it’s most common in senior cats over the age of seven.

Symptoms of arthritis can become especially pronounced during winter if your cat becomes cold and inactive. By learning the signs of arthritis, you can recognise them early on and take action to care for your pet before their joints become too sore.

Signs of arthritis in cats include:

• Difficulty jumping or hesitating to jump onto furniture
• Matts in their coat (because they find bending to groom themselves painful)
• Uncharacteristic aggression or aloofness
• Soreness when they’re patted or picked up

If your cat is showing any of these symptoms of arthritis, book an appointment at your local Greencross Vets where they can create a multipoint plan to manage your cat’s arthritis.

 

Stay up to date with your your cat’s flea, tick, and worm prevention

While parasites are more active during the warmer seasons, they live in our environment all year round. It’s very important for your cat’s health that you continue to provide them with flea, tick and worm prevention in the winter months. Check the current level of parasite risk in your local area with PetWatch.

Pet parents commonly experience outbreaks of fleas in winter, especially in homes with carpet, as the indoor heating creates an ideal opportunity for the residual flea eggs and larvae in the environment to hatch and thrive.

Brush your cat regularly

A thick, healthy winter coat is one of the things that help your cat keep warm. Don’t forget to regularly brush your cat in winter, especially if they’re a breed with an undercoat or an older cat with arthritis.

Using a good quality brush to remove unwanted fur is an important routine to maintain in winter to ensure that your cat doesn’t develop mats or knots, which can cause pain and discomfort. This will also enhance the bond between you and your kitty.

Explore our range of cat grooming products to find the right items to keep your cat healthy this winter.

Petbarn has everything you need to keep your furry friend warm this winter. Visit your local Petbarn store for expert advice on how to keep your cat comfortable in the colder weather.