Winter watch outs for your cat!!!

Despite their fur, pets can feel the cold just the same as humans do, and freezing temperatures can create problems if you’re not prepared for winter.

Here are some ‘Winter watch outs’ and handy tips to help you make sure your pet is happy and healthy during the chilly winter months.

Antifreeze Beware of antifreeze! Surprisingly, antifreeze smells and tastes good to your pet so if they find it they will drink it. However,

it is highly poisonous so make sure it is stored well out of reach.

Wash off grit Grit and salt on your cat’s paws can make them sore. Plus they can make them poorly if they lick it off so best to make sure you rinse your cats paws after playing out in winter weather.

Don’t let them eat snow! Your cat might see snow as a novelty but dangerous objects or chemicals may be hidden in the snow. Also, eating snow can cause stomach upset and even hypothermia.

Provide somewhere warm Make sure that there is somewhere warm and cosy for your pet to sleep. Cats will curl up next to anything hot to keep warm, which can include under the bonnet of a car, so make sure you keep an eye on them. If you have local strays that you feed, please provide a shelter with blankets and straw bedding to keep them warm.

Freezing water bowl If your pet has a water bowl kept outside, check it regularly that ice hasn’t formed and that they have access to water.

Keep the oldies warm Older cats and cats with arthritis will feel more discomfort when it’s cold so try to keep those older pets as warm as you can.

For more information, or to speak to someone about caring for your pet in the winter months please contact your vet.