Beautiful cats in winter. cats in winter

Animals in particular cats are not as sensitive to temperature changes as humans, thanks to their fluffy and thick fur coat. Many pets, which the owners let out for a walk, ask to go outside in any weather, and the cold frosty winter is no exception. But, if in the warm season the owners do not worry about the health of their fluffy pets, then in bitter frosts they are a little afraid to let them out into the street.

Are there any grounds for such fears and what sub-zero temperatures can cats withstand in order not to freeze and freeze their paws or ears?

Cats are not as sensitive to temperature changes as humans due to their fluffy and thick fur coat.

It is no secret to anyone that cats gain several kilograms of excess weight in the winter. In this case, owners do not need to sound the alarm and put the pet on a strict diet.

In this way, the animal prepares itself for winter, and it does it on a subconscious level, thanks to genetic memory, when cats were still walking on their own and had to take care of themselves on their own.

All cats gain a few kilograms of excess weight for the winter.

The wool of these creatures also becomes a little thicker and longer for the winter, and, remarkably, cats practically do not shed in winter.

Another interesting fact is that cats very rarely bathe in winter, and this is due to the fact that wet wool is unable to protect them from the cold.

At what temperature can a cat walk outside

Cats are one of the hardiest animals, besides, these creatures live on almost all continents, so most of them have perfectly adapted to the cold climate.

Most cats tolerate cold climates very well.

A cat can safely walk on the street, even if the thermometer shows ten to fifteen degrees below zero.

Thick wool and dense undercoat perfectly protect animals from cold and frost, and thanks to them the cat hardly freezes.

Extreme freezing temperatures

But do not think that a cat can survive in extreme sub-zero temperatures. If she stays in the cold at minus twenty degrees for a long time, then this can end badly for her: the animal will freeze its paw pads and ears, which are almost devoid of wool.

Most experts claim that cats are able to survive at temperatures as low as minus thirty-five degrees, but this is not true.

The cat will not be able to survive in extremely low temperatures!

Unfortunately, not all cats are lucky enough to have a home and loving owners. Homeless animals are forced to survive in the winter, hiding in porches, basements or abandoned houses.

What to do if the cat is cold

If the pet is too carried away by a walk in severe frost, then in order to save the cat from hypothermia, it should be immediately wrapped in a warm terry towel.

If your cat is cold, you need to wrap it in a warm towel.

As a rule, a frozen cat will instinctively look for the warmest place in the house, for example, near the radiator or electric fireplace. Many animals can crawl under a warm blanket or blanket.

What cat breeds can't stand the cold?

Oriental cat breeds are extremely thermophilic and will not go outside in frost.

It is clear that such fluffy cats as, or Norwegian forest cats, thanks to their luxurious fur coat, can be outside for a long time in winter.

But eastern breeds, for example, Persians or Burmese cats are extremely thermophilic and for them even a five-degree frost is a good reason not to leave the house.

At what temperature do hairless cats die?

Letting out hairless cats in winter is out of the question! Such exotic pets like "sphinxes" or "bambino" are very cold and if the animal is outside at sub-zero temperatures, it will certainly die.

Hairless cats should not be allowed outside in winter!

Cold is also not well tolerated by small kittens, elderly animals, pregnant cats or those suffering from any disease. It is strictly forbidden to let them out in the winter.

In winter, you should be especially attentive to your pet and it is advisable to walk it on a leash. After all, if a cat gets lost and cannot find its way home, then it is likely that in severe frost it may die from hypothermia.

Video about how a cat was rescued in severe frost

A woolen outfit and natural endurance are encouraging, but looking at a pet meowing under the door, you involuntarily think: “Do cats freeze in winter? Isn't Vaska's passion for running around in freshly fallen snow dangerous? It is possible to understand whether a cat is cold only through observation, because our pets differ from each other not only in eye color and taste preferences. How do cats tolerate the cold, and how can you tell if the ambient temperature isn't making the furry explorer happy?

Although why furry? There are also hairless cats, smooth, completely devoid of hair. It is clear that such a cat freezes at sub-zero temperatures, rapidly giving off the accumulated heat. Letting the Sphinx go for a walk in sub-zero temperatures is an unthinkable undertaking, the consequences of which can be very deplorable. If the pet is accustomed to walking or if a naked cat is cold even in an apartment, you can put sweaters and overalls on it. Of course, the fabric warms worse than a real fur coat, so walks should not be long: paws tremble, ears get cold - go home, warm up. At what temperature does a naked cat freeze? As a rule, sphinxes experience discomfort even at +10°C, not to mention sub-zero temperatures.

But back to cats flaunting luxurious fur coats. The coat can be long or short, but if it is two-layered, with a well-developed undercoat, are cats cold in winter? The undercoat perfectly retains heat and prevents overheating, keeping body temperature within normal limits. However, such protection is not endless: just as a person dressed in a fur coat, earflaps and felt boots will still freeze after a few hours spent on a frosty street, so a cat “wrapped” in the best fur will sooner or later begin to freeze. At what temperature fluffy cats freeze depends not only on the readings of the thermometer, but also on the actions of the pet, air humidity, and other nuances. "Dry" frost is easier to bear, with low activity you freeze faster, high humidity - you feel the cold more clearly. Everything is like in humans, adjusted for feline endurance.

Cats without undercoat freeze faster than Siberians, Coons and representatives of other "hairy" breeds. Cold air penetrates the skin faster, heat escapes faster. These cats have cold paws and ears even after short walks at -15 Celsius. But a Siberian, not pampered by life in the arms of a battery, can walk for a couple of hours without danger to health even at -30°C.

But how do street murks survive then?

It's terrible, but not everyone survives. Even hereditary stray cats are not able to endure frosts below 20 ° C for a long time. Packed dogs huddle closer, warming each other, dig holes in the snow. Cats do not know how to dig holes, and do not stray into packs. If you doubt whether it is cold for cats in winter, pay attention to how few familiar faces you meet when you go to work in the morning: in the summer under every car and on every bench there is a purr, in winter everyone disappears somewhere.

Somewhere - these are, as a rule, basements and entrances. Although in recent years many basements have been tightly closed, and ordinary doors have been replaced with metal ones with electronic locks. Of course, from the point of view of sanitation, inhabiting basements with stray cats is not the best solution, but for many murkas this is the only chance to survive the winter.

Is it just the coat?

The temperature at which cats freeze depends not only on external factors and coat density. For example, a cat accustomed to life on the street tolerates the cold more easily than a pet that leaves a cozy apartment only for short trips. In addition, many cats are thermophilic from birth, and even if the owner does not spoil the sissy, they freeze at the slightest frost. Such pets, even when the room is well heated, all the time cling to the radiator or try to crawl under the covers, sit ruffled, sleep a lot and move little, dreaming of a warm summer. Of course, it is unlikely that cats are afraid of the cold in the same way as people, but the belief in nine lives and extreme resistance to any cataclysms is a clear delusion.

Winter is a wonderful time of the year! Are not her gifts beautiful - snow, fresh air, frost?

Yes, somehow not very ... - the cats living on the street will answer. However, the cold winter months also affect pets that do not stick out of the house.

Sustained low temperatures and long nights cause changes in the animal body, affecting both its physiological state and behavioral characteristics. And even cats sitting in the warmth of the house "switch to winter time."

Winter for domestic cats

Behavior With the decrease in sunlight, the activity of cats also decreases. "Move less, eat and sleep more" is their slogan for this time of year. Four-legged pets become more calm and lazy, preferring a secluded warm corner to games. With the advent of winter, the ratings of warm blankets, shelves in the linen closet, radiators and heaters rise. To reduce heat loss, the cat curls up in a ball, wrapping itself in a fluffy tail.

Physiology Food. One of the means of combating the onset of cold weather is the accumulation of subcutaneous fat. Cats start to eat more, but move less. And therefore, a caring owner must find a middle ground between natural requirements and reasonable necessity. After all, a thick layer of fat that protects from frost is hardly needed by a four-legged couch potato. So are the problems associated with obesity.

Wool. Cats usually shed actively in the fall in order to acquire high-quality wool with a thick undercoat by winter. But the human "heating season" blurs the molting pattern, prolonging it...sometimes until the next molt. Therefore, a fluffy pet needs careful care for his fur coat - regular combing, a paste to remove woolen lumps from the stomach, and the use of special vitamins (for example, Felvit H, Brewers Yeast) is possible - about this.

Diseases.

With the onset of cold weather, dampness and drafts, immunity decreases in domestic cats. And they can fall prey to colds (upper respiratory infections), cystitis (bladder inflammation) - cold window sills and floors are to blame. And if you accidentally “forget” your pet on the balcony, the consequences can be more serious, up to hypothermia and frostbite. Therefore, it is worth being vigilant - do not let the pet lie and sit in cold and ventilated places (or insulate them, making them safe for health) and postpone walks on the balcony until better times. Well, strengthen the immune system with multivitamins, especially with natural nutrition. It will not be superfluous during this period and green fresh grass from a pet store.

Winter for walking cats

With street cats, everything is clear - they themselves are engaged in their salvation in the harsh winter time. Their favorite places are basements with warm pipes, attics, porches. During this period, they especially need human support!

For domestic cats living in the yard or walking outside, the best recipe for safely surviving the cold is ... being in a warm owner's house. Everything is very simple - When the temperature is below zero, it is better not to let the cat out of the house!

Some owners leave their cats outside the home, thinking they are suited to outdoor life. Alas, this can put the animal in front of the danger of serious diseases.

What temperature is acceptable for a cat to stay in the cold? The temperature limit is -20 °FROM . Weather conditions also play an important role - strong winds, high humidity aggravate frost. Of course, each animal has its own limit depending on its health, age, coat condition, nutrition, body fat, immunity in general, etc. ° to get serious problems.

hypothermia (hypothermia)

- a state of the body in which the body temperature drops below what is required to maintain vital processes. Cats that stay in the cold for a long time without shelter and movement are susceptible to it, especially animals with weak immunity.

Symptoms of hypothermia:

chills, trembling, increasing weakness and apathy, body temperature below 36 ° (normal t in a cat is 38 ° -39 °). Prolonged hypothermia leads to a decrease in blood glucose levels. As hypothermia increases, the muscles stiffen, the heartbeat and breathing slow down, and the cat stops responding to stimuli. Deterioration of the condition leads to collapse, turning into a coma. With significant hypothermia, the animal may appear dead, since its pulse and heartbeat are not heard. In this state, the cat can survive due to a sharp decrease in metabolism.

What to do?

The cat needs to be warmed up urgently. With a slight hypothermia - cover with blankets. With a more significant one, wrap it up with your head and add other sources of heat (a heating pad, a bottle of warm water), applying them to the body. Cases of severe hypotomy require urgent veterinary care, as drips with warm solutions are needed, warm pleural lavage, an increase in air temperature in the ventilator, the introduction of painkillers (due to severe pain when restoring tissue sensitivity). In the future, a comprehensive examination of the animal should be carried out in order to begin treatment of the disorders that have arisen in its body.

frostbite

The cat's paw pads, tail and ear tips are most sensitive to low temperatures.

Superficial frostbite affect only the skin and subcutaneous tissues, which first turn pale. With the restoration of blood circulation, the skin turns red, swells and flakes. With more severe frostbite, blisters form with a clear or milky liquid. Frostbite areas are bordered by a clear line of demarcation with living tissue.

Deep frostbite characterized by the death of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscles. In especially severe cases, tendons and bones can be affected, tissue rejection to a great depth is observed. At first, blisters form with an admixture of blood, which turn into black scabs within two weeks. Deep frostbite leads to complete necrosis (necrosis) and tissue loss.

If sensitivity and normal skin color remain in the affected area, and when pressed on it, a hole remains - the prognosis is favorable. If the skin seems wooden to the touch, has cyanotic foci and blisters with blood, there is no trace left on it after pressure - tissue necrosis is possible.

What to do? The affected area should not be rubbed, especially with snow, so as not to further damage the tissue and cause infection. You can quickly warm the affected area by wetting it in warm (not hot!) Water or constantly applying a warm, damp towel to it and lightly massaging (without rubbing) until the tissues redden. Then gently dry and apply a loose bandage. For further treatment, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

With superficial frostbite, you can use the Rescuer balm, protecting the affected area from licking (for example, using a protective collar).

Blisters with clear fluid are opened and an antiprostaglandin drug (eg, aloe vera juice) is applied. Hemorrhagic (with an admixture of blood) blisters do not touch. The animal is prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to improve blood circulation, as well as antibiotics to prevent infection. Dead tissue is removed surgically.

• In winter, good coat and skin are especially important for cats walking on the street. Therefore, additional fatty acids, such as fish oil, as well as vitamins E and B-complex, can be introduced into her diet.
• Strengthen the cat's diet through additional nutrition and an increase in protein in it.
• If the cat is older, it should be possible to facilitate her movements associated with jumping, climbing stairs, etc., in order to relieve stress on her joints, which become sensitive at low temperatures.
• Fireplaces and heaters should be shielded to protect your cat from fire, ash, smoke, and electrical wiring.
• Take good care of your pet's coat. Wet wool does not store heat, so cats bathe less often in winter. The formation of tangles should not be allowed. A good coat will protect your furry pet from the cold.
• Water and food must be fresh and not frozen. Do not use metal bowls in winter.
• If the cat lives in the yard, it should have a reliable place protected from the cold. The cat's house should be large enough for her to turn around and small enough to store body heat. The floor should be raised off the ground and covered with shavings or straw. The entrance of the house should be turned away from the wind, the roof and the door should be closed with waterproof plastic.
• In winter, cats sometimes settle in the garage. It should be remembered that antifreeze is deadly for them. And before you use the car, you need to make sure that the cat does not sleep under its hood.
• With the onset of significant frosts, take your pet home!

Help your pet stay healthy during the long cold months!