Winter & Kitty

[CarolsCritterCare]

Cats will need a little special attention to stay warm, happy, healthy and safe in winter.

If your cat goes outdoors during the colder months, make sure he/she is acclimated and doesn't stay out too long, especially when the temperatures are below freezing.

Watch for signs of frostbite. It's seen most often on ears, the tail and footpads, and look for pale, glossy or white skin. Better yet, prevent frostbite all together by limiting your cat's time outside.

Feed your cat a well balanced diet, and always keep plenty of fresh water available at all times. Nutrition and water are important because a well-nourished pet is better equipped to cope with harsh weather.

Cats love curling up in a warm place for a nap. Prevent potential burns and fires by protecting your cat from open fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Warm engines are also a favourite place for outdoor cats, so honk the horn or bang on the hood before starting your car.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste cats like but it's toxic enough to cause serious illness and even death. Make sure your car isn't leaking any fluids and keep containers safely locked away.

Give your cat a cozy place to sleep by offering some bedding in a warm place, free from drafts. Raise the bed off the floor. Cats love that jungle lair feeling.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice changes in your cat's behaviour, such as energy-level or appetite-decrease.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Don't Put the Cat in the Garage at Company Time

You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Thanksgiving visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons.....

Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a "Safe Room," such as a bedroom with the door closed.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Don't Light Those Table-Top Candles

If you must decorate with candles, keep them unlit unless kitty is securely locked in a bedroom. A cornucopia or attractive bowl or basket filled with fruit makes a beautiful table decoration.

If you like the effect of lights, there are some very attractive LED candles on the market now ~ less messy and just as cheerful as real flames.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Don't Share Your Holiday Dinner With Kitty

Reality is ~ some foods are just too rich for kitties and will cause tummy upset, sometimes even diarrhea.

Cats with specific medical problems should eat the special foods prescribed for those problems. Giving them table scraps will only ruin their appetites for the foods they really need.

Certain foods are downright toxic to cats, and should be avoided at all times. That gravy-slathered turkey likely contains onions, which are highly toxic to cats. The bottom line is that it may be okay to give kitty a tiny scrap of roasted turkey (in the kitchen, not at the table), but avoid encouraging kitty as dinner guests.....Better yet, give kitty his own dinner before you sit down to eat.