Mary Allen
Especially in winter, cats like it just as warm as we humans. Some outdoor enthusiasts, therefore, like to stay at home in the cold season, others dare to go outside the door despite the cold and go on their usual forays. We have some valuable tips here for your cat’s outings in winter.
Outdoor Users in Summer – Couch Potatoes in Winter
Cats that are used to regular outdoor activities and like to go on patrol can become real couch potatoes in winter. In general, thanks to their warm winter fur, they are well armed against the cold weather and snow, but sometimes they prefer the cozy warmth. In this case, it is completely normal for your velvet paw to go outside less often or not at all – then you should by no means force it to do so. Since she now spends the whole day indoors, she lacks the variety that she would normally get in nature. Here she depends on a little entertainment and cat fun on your part.
Window Sills Become Scenes
If your kitty doesn’t want to go outside, she likes to watch the spectacle outside from inside. To make sure it’s nice and cozy, you should clear the window sills so that they have enough space to sit and watch. A cozy pillow or doily round off the cat scene.
Animation and employment
Of course, your cat’s daily entrepreneurship must also be satisfied in winter. Keep them busy with extra toys like catfishing rods, balls, and intelligence toys. Or does your tiger prefer scratching boards? Then assemble it quickly and the fun can begin!
Kitties have to stay inside
As funny as it might look like a kitten waddling through the snow, unfortunately, kittens of three or four months old are not yet prepared for the low temperatures and wetness. They do not yet have a warming undercoat and the snow does not roll off the downy, thin fur so that it becomes soggy in a very short time and the little ones quickly tremble. You can let your kitten explore the cold water for a few minutes, but then it should quickly go back into the warm.
Off to the Snow
Some cats dare to step outside in the cold temperatures and like to talk through their familiar area. Every now and then, see if your cat is at the door. This is how she signals to you that she wants to be let out. If you work or are not at home all day, it is advisable to attach a cat flap. These are available in different versions. So your kitty has the freedom to come and go whenever she feels like it.
Thermal Huts – Comfort for Outdoors in Winter
If you cannot or do not want to attach a cat flap, you can still make your tiger comfortable outside. Especially at night, it gets very cold and your cat needs a warm shelter. Thermal huts offer good winter protection for your cat and are equipped with straw, blankets, and styrofoam, they are warm and cozy places of retreat. You should make sure that the hut is on a raised surface – so wetness and the cold of the ground don’t stand a chance. In addition, the hut should preferably have a sloping roof so that rain and snow do not remain on it. Styrofoam sheets between the walls insulate the house and keep your outdoor area warm in winter. To prevent drafts from getting in, you can build an additional entrance inside the hut and cover it with a cloth or a thin blanket – this is how your velvet paw can get in, but not the cold air.
In addition, there should always be water and something to eat in the thermal hut. Make sure that the water does not freeze and do not use metal bowls, as these can get very cold and, in the worst case, your cat can stick his tongue on them. Ceramic bowls and heatable bowl pads that prevent freezing are recommended here. Alternatively, you can also put hot water bottles and pillows under the bowls, so the cold process is slowed down and your velvet paw can use the water source for longer.
Winter Fat? Sure, of course!
In winter it can be a little more. Not only the winter coat is an important warming factor for your tiger, but also a slightly thicker layer of fat – because fat keeps you warm. And for those outdoors in winter who like to talk through the snow, it is essential for survival. Because of this, you can increase the servings a little during the cold season, but you shouldn’t overdo it.
Comfortably watch the falling snowflakes from inside or defy the cold and explore the winter landscape on your own paw – every cat is different. You can do both of these things with our tips in the cold season. It is important that their natural instinct for employment is satisfied and that even those outdoors can retreat to warm accommodation at any time in winter.