Keep your cat safe from ‘the beast from the east’

Keep your cat safe from the winter weather

With a cold spell forecast for much of the UK this week, Cats Protection have some top tips to help protect cats from ‘the beast from the east’.

While snow can be beautiful and exciting for humans, it is important to remember some of the risks it poses to our feline friends.

These are some simple measures to help keep cats safe in plummeting temperatures:

• If your cat is seeing snow for the first time, let them explore a safe, enclosed area first and accompany them in case they get into difficulty.
• Check your cat’s paws when they come in and gently wipe off any road grit, salt or compacted snow.
• Like humans, cats can get frostbite.  Be vigilant for any signs of skin discolouration, pain, swelling and/or blisters, particularly on extremities such as their ears and toes.
• Consider keeping your cat indoors at night, when temperatures are lower and the risk of road traffic accidents is higher. 
• Provide shelter for cats that have access outside. Keep the doors of sheds and outbuildings closed, or wedged slightly open or install a cat-flap so cats do not become trapped inside.
• Check your cat-flap regularly to ensure it hasn’t frozen over or become blocked by snow.
• Cats may climb into vehicle engines for warmth while out roaming. Be vigilant, and check under the bonnet of your vehicle before starting your vehicle. 
• The cold can severely affect the joints of arthritic cats. Provide plenty of warm and comfy places to sleep and ensure your cat can access them easily.
• Your cat may love to snuggle in front of the fire to keep warm; screen-off open fireplaces and always supervise your cat if you have a fire lit.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps over 190,000 cats each year through its national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 34 adoption centres.  For a broad range of cat-care help and advice visit www.cats.org.uk/cat-care or call Cats Protection’s helpline on 03000 12 12 12.