Winter Reminders for Cat Parents

New England winters can be both unpredictable and harsh – especially for pets that are let outdoors. While we encourage cat owners to keep their feline friends indoors for a variety of reasons – especially in winter – we know some cats are outdoor only, are indoor and will be allowed to roam, or may get out accidentally.

If you do find that your cat has been out while Jack Frost is in town, here are a few things to consider before and after your cat ventures out.

If you’re cold, your cats are too.

According to Dr. Jessica Trimble from fuzzy.com, “If you can’t go outside in a regular jacket, then your cat shouldn’t.”

In the winter, a cat left outside on both snowy and rainy days can fall victim to hypothermia. This condition occurs when a cat’s body temperature drops below 100º. Signs include shivering, very cold ears or feet, and frostbite. As the body temperature drops further, cats become lethargic and disoriented, and their heart rate and breathing slows. If not treated, a cat will slip into a coma and likely pass away.

If you believe your cat (or a cat you’ve found outdoors) has hypothermia, you should contact your vet (or an emergency clinic if your vet is unavailable) immediately.

Warm and Dry

A cat’s fur coat keeps them warm during the winter because, much like the jacket you wear when the temperature drops, your cat’s fluffed up fur traps air close to the skin that is warmed and kept warm naturally by their body. If your cat’s fur is matted from being wet, or if your kitty gets clumps of snow caught in the fur on his belly, it prevents his coat from keeping him warm.

It should go without saying that if your cat is wet, do not let him outside. If your cat comes in from the outdoors and is damp, you can try blow drying him (though most cats hate that) or you can dry them off with a towel.

Poisons and Paws

There are a number of poisonous chemicals that are used to combat slippery walkways and icy streets. These include rock salt and other deicers.

There are animal safe alternatives that we encourage you and your neighbors to use to protect both pets and wildlife.

If you must use harmful deicers, store them in a safe place, in a sealed container, far from the reach of pets. Cats and dogs should not be allowed to walk on surfaces treated with chemical deicers not deemed animal-friendly. Residue can coat their paws and grains can get stuck in fur and between toes, and when they lick their paws, the chemicals enter their system. These chemicals also irritate the sensitive pads on your cat’s paws.

If your cat has been roaming the neighborhood, wipe his paws with a damp towel before he licks them.

Antifreeze is another winter wonder for drivers but is a hazard for pets (and children!) since it doesn’t taste particularly bad. If ingested, this chemical is deadly. Check to see if your car is leaking antifreeze, and if you see drips or puddles, make sure to clean it up ASAP.

You might also seek out antifreeze made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic to pets and wildlife.

If an animal ingests rock salt, deicers, antifreeze or any other chemical, it should be treated as an emergency.

The only thing purring under your hood should be your engine.

Hopefully not a cat! Warm engines in parked cars appeal to cats and other wildlife. These warm hiding places seem like great shelter from the winter’s biting chill, but when the engine is fired up, this seemingly safe haven becomes a rolling gauntlet of fans, belts, and hazards that cats don’t often escape from.

To avoid injuring any hidden kitties, pop the hood to check for stowaways or bang on your car’s hood to scare them off before starting your engine.

What should you do if you see a cat outside in the cold?

If you believe the cat is an unowned feral or community cat, you may choose to provide a cat shelter, a source of unfrozen water, and food. If you believe the cat may be a lost pet, is sick or in danger, you may call MRFRS for assistance or advice.

If you believe the cat is owned but neglected (i.e., left in the cold without adequate shelter, food or water) you may choose to alert local law enforcement. In Massachusetts, any person found to be abusing or neglecting an animal may be subject to felony penalties. For more on this, visit humanesociety.org.