Ultimate Winter Care Guide for Cats: Tips & Tricks Insi

Today, I'd like to share some important tips for taking care of your feline friends during the winter months.

NO.1 The Cozy Cat Bed

Prepare a "winterproof cat bed" for your furry companion. While it might be the priciest item on your list, it's an essential one. There are countless styles to choose from, ensuring you find one that suits your cat's preferences. For cats that are sick, nursing, or recovering from surgery, consider adding a "petspecific electric heating pad" to the bed for extra comfort.

NO.2 Electrical Appliances

Notice something? Every winter, the heatgenerating appliances in your home seem to attract cats like magnets. Keyboards, monitors, computer cases, and televisions, to name a few, become the feline equivalent of a sunbeam. So, be cautious when driving in winter; check under the car for any little ones seeking warmth.

NO.3 Diet Adjustment

Cats need to burn more energy to maintain their body temperature in cold weather, so adjusting their diet is crucial. Consider increasing their food portions slightly and, for cats with sensitive stomachs, serve warmed canned food and warm water.

NO.4 Sunlight Exposure

No cat can resist the allure of winter sun. Set up a cozy spot where your cat can bask in the sunlight, and you'll find that this winter will be filled with extra love from your feline friend!

NO.5 Encourage Exercise

Winter can make cats quite lazy, often just eating and sleeping. Increasing their physical activity is a great idea. It's said that a cat needs to burn two fishshaped treats for every hour of exercise! Plus, winter brings a higher risk of illness for cats, so keep an eye on them.

NO.1 Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

In winter, cats may become less active and drink less water, increasing the risk of bacterial infections and the formation of urinary crystals. Watch out for these symptoms:

Increased frequency of bathroom visits, but prolonged sitting without urination.

Low growls and occasional urination outside the litter box.

Reluctance to be touched, and a distended abdomen.

Smaller clumps of litter, and blood in the urine.

More frequent licking of the genital area.

Prevention is simple:

Encourage more water intake, ideally warm water.

Reduce snacks that can contribute to urinary crystals.

Keep the home warm to encourage more activity.

Feeding prescription food can help reduce recurrence.

NO.2 Skin Diseases

Just like humans, cats' immune systems can weaken in winter. If they spend too much time indoors without adequate sunlight, their skin resistance can drop, leading to poor coat condition and an increased risk of skin diseases. Recommendations:

Expose them to sunlight when possible.

Supplement with vitamins and highprotein foods.

NO.3 Feline Rhinotracheitis

Don't confuse feline rhinotracheitis with the common cold; they are entirely different. Feline rhinotracheitis is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease in cats. Many cats carry the virus but may suddenly become ill during weather changes. It's particularly dangerous for kittens and can be fatal. Recommendations:

Keep their living area dry and wellventilated.

Use lysine and catamine mixed with food as a preventive measure.

NO.4 Diarrhea

Just like humans, cats can get diarrhea from the cold. Many cats may experience sneezing, diarrhea, and vomiting during the winter. So, avoid feeding them raw vegetables or unboiled water.

Follow the principle of "less is more" in feeding.

Ensure they stay warm.

Use probiotics to treat mild diarrhea.