Do you have an adventurous and feisty cat who likes to roam outside?
Cats are one of the favorite pets when it comes to adopting, and they are resilient and easily maintained by owners. However, cats are pretty flexible animals but still can get vulnerable at times. Due to some dangerous health conditions, your cat may feel uncomfortable, such as hypothermia and frostbite, especially in the low temperatures.
In most scenarios, cats are easily adaptable as their body parts adapt to the weather conditions according to the temperature. It always depends on the limits of the outer temperature. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your cat may face severe issues. In certain environments, make sure your cat comes inside, or they may be suffering the life-threatening risks. If you have left your cat outside in extreme temperatures, you may find them in danger by snuggling underneath the covers of cars.
If you have an outgoing cat and you find difficulties in bringing them inside, then the only best thing to do is put on some warm clothes and gather warm structures for them. Make sure your protected cover is higher than the ground. It should be covered from all four sides to save them from cold winds. A warm bedding forms inside the covered structure with enough space to move around.
Just like a human, some animals are too sensitive. When the cold weather approaches, we turn to sweaters, jackets, and coats to stay warm. Similarly, making extra efforts for your cat under cold weather conditions will save them from various diseases when the temperature drops down.
You might be suffering from the thoughts if you let your cat roams outside. It may get too cold, and your outgoing, adventurous cat has to stop exploring. This article will help you recognize the factors that may affect your cat in cold weather.
Things That May Happen to Your Cat When It Is Too Cold
Outgoing cats are supposed to feel uncomfortable in most of the outside parts, but they never mind. Keeping your cat safe is your responsibility, and you might be worried about them in dropping temperatures. Once the temperature drops below 32 degrees, your cat becomes exposed to the effects of hypothermia and frostbite that will sooner or later lead to death.
Hypothermia is caused by low body temperatures, which is dangerous for them. It will eventually make your cat depressed and stressed and affect her central nervous system. It will also disturb the heart’s functioning and cause difficulties pumping blood throughout her body. Once these things start in her body, she might feel unsafe. In humid weather conditions such as rain or snow, your cat will be unable to protect herself less efficiently and might fall for higher risks.
Signs Your Cat is Cold
Cats are good at hiding their discomfort from their owners, so it’s your responsibility to be a little extra observing to sense the signs that your cat is suffering from the cold.
Cold Edges
If you feel your cat’s ears, paws, and the tip of her tail are cold; then these will be the sign of extreme coldness your cat is feeling. Your cold cat will tuck her tail and paws beneath her body. These are the sign of an uncomfortably chilly cat.
A Cuddly Cat
Your cat will be too cuddly and always wants to be on your lap because she wants to be warm. Cold kitten will feel lazy in freezing times even though a fury and heavily coated cat will feel cold.
If your cat is shivering, she must feel cold inside and may sit in a different position, such as in a hunch position, and look for warm corners. Sometimes, your cat is left outside for a longer period which is not in your knowledge, and she eventually grows hypothermia. In such cases, rush to the veterinarian ASAP.
- Slow heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Muscle Stiffness
- Low Blood Pressure
- Coma in (worst case scenario)
- Weakness
- Shivering
- Lack of mental Alertness
- Stupor like state
- Shallow breathing
How To Keep Your Chilly Cat Warm and Safe
It’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure his cat is safe and warm and retreat her if she needs it. It doesn’t mean that you need to be overprotected or buy a separate house for your cat, but yes, you need to make sure that your cat doesn’t get stuck outside in cold weather.
A surrounded outdoor shelter with warm blankets that is elevated from the ground, or else you will find your cat in a cracked garage or under the cars. A place where the temperature is above 45 degrees F is a maintained temperature for your cat.
Is your city super popular for cold nights and snow breezes? If yes, then you need to add a few extra things that will keep your cat warm.
A cat door in your home is an essential thing to add in because it’s implausible to keep an outgoing cat home. Your cat needs more calories in cold weather, so feed your cat more when they are home. As veterinarians usually recommend opening the curtains and letting the sunshine enter your home. Your indoor cat needs lots of sunshine. Further, vets recommend that you take an old storage container and create protection to keep your pet safe.
Conclusion
Cats are an important part of life if they get too closer to their owners. Taking their care is a kind of big responsibility sometimes, but not that difficult. Adding a few extra things to their routine will help you to cope with the cold weather.
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