Cats are pretty good at looking after themselves in the cold, usually preferring to stay in the warm and dry and watch the snow fall from the safety of a windowsill or radiator hammock. However there are still some potential risks to their health in extreme weather conditions:
Urine retention – cats who usually go to the toilet outside can sometimes be so reluctant to go outside for a wee that they hold onto their urine to the point that it can be dangerous. Retained urine increases the risks of blockages, particularly in male cats, and urinary tract infections which are more common in female cats. To reduce the risks, make sure you offer at least one clean litter tray in an easily accessible place.
Ice – cats are generally more cautious than dogs and are also obviously lighter so they tend to be less at risk from falling through thin ice. However where snow is covering a thin layer of ice they can be caught out and this can lead to dangerous immersion in freezing cold water.
Our male cat has repeated difficulty with urine – continually trying to go. He had his urine tested and does not have chrystals.
He is only fed on your Jack and Jill’s cat food. Is there anything in this that could be contributing to his discomfort.
This is a common problem, particularly in overweight male cats who live mainly indoors. So you can help by doing your best to keep him trim and in shape, and also make sure he has plenty of fresh water available as liquid intake is another important factor in preventing this problem.
Perhaps I am being over-sensitive or imposing my views on animal welfare upon others but I have some concerns about my neighbour’s cats. Throughout this recent cold spell the cats from next door have been kicked out at 5.30am and called back in 12 hours later. They are reluctant to leave the warmth of their home when she bellows at them to ‘get out’ and are waiting by the back door when this woman decides to let them in again. Any attempts to regain entry during the day are met with disdain; they are unceremoniously kicked out again.
I don’t wish to interfere but will not allow these two darlings to freeze their paws off all day, I find it hard to ignore their plaintive meows and have started to provide shelter and acknowledge that, yes, I am now officially interfering. Charm and diplomacy have failed to improve their plight, as the owner’s attitude seems to be ‘they need to get used to the cold’ – which I find utterly shocking. Am I overreacting? Is this truly acceptable behaviour and responsible pet ownership? I doubt very much watching your good advice on Daybreak would’ve influenced these individuals clearly ingrained attitude to their animals!
This does sound pretty uncaring and I think it’s great that you are trying to fight for these 2 poor cats. If you can’t get the owner to see sense, perhaps you could help by offering the cats some shelter yourself, either in your house, or perhaps provide them some kind of warm bed in an outdoor shed (provided they can’t get stuck inside). It’s all very well thinking that cats have nice warm coats and can look after themselves in the cold weather but that doesn’t have to mean you should be deliberately cruel by forcing them to spend long periods of time outdoors with no shelter.
Good luck!
Joe
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