Cold weather is dangerous weather for any pet, including cats. No matter how thick their fur or how hardy you think your cat may be, even just a few minutes of exposure to cold weather could kill your cat. Do you know the warning sigs of hypothermia in cats?
Even though outdoor cats tend to know when to come back inside--any number of factors can intervene and prevent them from getting back to a warm and safe home.
How Much Time Can a Cat Spend Outside in Cold Weather?
For any cat, once temps reach and below freezing, a cat is at high risk for hypothermia. As a general rule, once temperatures drop below 45 degrees F, a cat’s outdoor time should be limited to about 15-20 minutes every other day. If your cat is older or has known health conditions, the time they spend outside in the cold should be monitored and last only a few minutes.
Signs of moderate to severe hypothermia in a cat include:
Confusion, dizziness
Dilated pupils
Difficulty breathing, shallow breathing
Muscle stiffness
Low blood pressure
Slow heartbeat
In severe cases of hypothermia, a cat will become highly lethargic and will be at risk for falling into a coma.
What To Do if You Suspect Hypothermia in Your Cat
Bring into a warm room
Wrap in warm (not hot) towels. Do not use a heating pad or heating blanket.
Provide water, but don’t let them drink too much too quickly.
If your cat is not perking-up, call your veterinarian.
If at any point your cat is non-responsive, wrap in a warm blanket and seek immediate medical attention. Err on the side of caution: If you aren’t sure if your pet is warming-up sufficiently, take it to an emergency animal hospital.
Kitten Sittin' Ensures Your Kitty Is Warm and Safe in Winter
If you are need to be away from home for work or other travel during the winter months, you can contact Kitten Sittin' of Delaware for daily check-ins on your cat. Having someone look in on your cat ensures that the home is warm (not affected by local power outage or weather events) and your cat has access to clean water, food, and fresh kitty litter.
Contact Kitten Sittin’ of Delaware for professional, caring, and expert cat sitting services to keep your kitty happy, healthy and warm.