Christmas is round the corner, together with the traditional cold winter and snow. A big change for our pets. Even cats that spend most of their time outside are going to feel it. How to prepare them for this challenging season?
The temperatures are slowly dropping below freezing and we are adding layer upon layer of clothing. Our outdoor pets fight winter in a similar way but instead of warm clothes, they gain thicker fur and slightly more weight. Outdoor cats are therefore relatively well prepared for winter. But that does not mean that you cannot help them get through it in peace and comfort. What can you do?
Quality and healthy food
Quality and healthy food is the foundation. It helps the cat build a strong immune system as well as natural fat reserves, which will nicely protect her from the cold. It is therefore worth investing in good-quality cans and pouches with high meat content. Good-quality dry food is also an option. It is possible that your cat will eat more during this time than what she is used to. Do not be alarmed, it is related to the need for extra subcutaneous fat. Let her have bigger portions. Remember that the food should be left in a sheltered place rather than somewhere windy. It would make your pet's life very uncomfortable.
Place for resting
It is important for all cats to have a place where they can hide from the snow and wind and where they can relax. Cats sleep much more in winter. Build them the perfect shelter. A protected box filled with old clothes will serve the purpose. However, in case of severe frost, prepare at least temporary sleeping and toilet arrangements inside your house - ideally in the entrance hall. Do not forget to install a cat flap to allow the cat to get inside the house. This will provide your cat with a welcome shelter from the intrusive winter.
Observe their behaviour
Especially owners of kittens and older cats should be more alert before the winter season starts as the body of their pets is slower to adapt. It is important to take good care of them and make sure that they are not suffering from any problems. If in doubt, do not hesitate to transfer the cat indoors. The same applies to mature and healthy cats, of course. You know them best and only you can tell whether they are enjoying the winter or whether they feel like their days have been numbered.
According to the data published at the end of last year, more than half of the people from around the world lives with at least one pet. The most numerous dog population is in the United States (70 million dogs), followed by Brazil (36 million) and...
When I travel, I'm always interested in what is the view of the given country upon the keeping of pets. And generally, how animals are treated there. The position of cats, dogs and rodents varies significantly in different countries, so there’s...
People often confuse the grey wolf with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This shepherd’s and today a very popular breed was bred from the German Shepherd by crossbreeding with the Carpathian wolf. Even though the dog and the wolf are very similar in...
The golden hamster, sometimes referred to as hamster-teddy bear because of its appearance, was first captured less than a century ago by zoologists in Syria. Hence also its second name – the Syrian hamster. Over time, it became a popular pet throughout...
The cloning of dogs or cats is slowly becoming a completely normal reality. For now, you can encounter it mostly in Asian countries. It’s the companies in South Korea that are most famous for their business plans focusing on the grieving dog and cat...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex. Apart from the most famous colouring with black or golden marks, it is bred...
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian Longhairs, which have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the...
The desire for your own dog friend can also lead to a great disappointment. Since a lot of people fall for scammers when buying through an ad. Getting a dog this way is a risk not only from the money point of view, but also with respect to the mental...
Traveling with a dog in the city is stressful for many dog owners. One of the reasons may be the fear of riding escalators. If the dog is not accustomed to them since young age, he can have issue with it as an adult. Even in the case that your dog aces...
For the majority of dog breeders, winter is the period that has to be waited out somehow. But this time of year provides ideal conditions for the musher sport. And if you found pleasure in summer trainings with the dog, don’t hang the dog harness on an...
Most owners consider pets kept at home to be full-fledged family members. And year after year, they invest more and more money in them. Just for dog and cat food, Czechs spend around eight billion crowns a year. The business around pets is experiencing...
