How to Take Care of Your Cat in Winter

Winter is here, and with it comes a lot of extra care for your feline companion. That's why today on the NUPEC Blog we bring you several tips to protect cats from the dangers of winter. If you follow these recommendations, your cat will be able to get through the season safely and without setbacks.

Tip #1: Veterinary Care

Let's start with the most important advice we can give you. Tip #1 for looking after any pet's health is to always rely on the guidance and care of a veterinarian. Your vet can tell you reliably and safely, based on your pet's particular needs, the best ways to give it health, well-being and harmony during this season and all year round.

During winter, especially at the start of the season, veterinary check-ups for your cat should be a must and part of the routine, so that the veterinarian can identify any seasonal condition in time.

In the winter months, from November to February, many conditions can affect cats' health, and problems related to arthritis, respiratory disease, dry skin and even weight gain are more likely to get worse. That's why it is so important to start the season with a good veterinary check-up, to keep any discomfort from becoming complicated and to learn how to begin your cat's winter care.

Tip #2: Care at Home

Another great way to take care of your cat in December is to protect it from the harsh cold. A coat always helps, but many cats won't tolerate this kind of accessory. In those cases, the best thing to do is keep your cat from going outside, in other words, make it an indoor cat. Besides keeping it inside, give it a warm, cozy bed, since prolonged contact with the floor or cold surfaces can make it sick.

Depending on how cold your home is, you can also use blankets, throws and even pet-friendly heaters to keep your home warm.

Finally, when it comes to care at home, pay special attention to decorations. Cats very often climb Christmas trees or play with the ornaments or lights, which can be dangerous.

It is best to keep all decorations, including the Christmas tree, out of your cat's reach, secure them firmly and, ideally, use plastic or shatterproof ornaments to reduce the chance of your cat getting hurt.

Tip #3: Watch What It Eats

December usually brings a wide variety of holiday dishes, from main courses to sweets, snacks and cookies, which makes it very easy for cats to get to them. However, most of these dishes, even those made with fish like salt cod (bacalao) or with shrimp like romeritos (a traditional Mexican dish), are very dangerous for cats because they contain many ingredients that are harmful to their health. It's best to keep your cat away from them, and it's also advisable not to let it eat holiday sweets.

The best way to feed your cat while looking after its health and well-being, during this season and all year long, is to offer it a complete food designed for proper nutrition. At NUPEC^®, we offer several options for the conscious scientific nutrition of cats with our dry food line: NUPEC Feline Kitten, NUPEC Feline Indoor, NUPEC Feline Hairball Control and NUPEC Feline Senior. You can now also find our new wet food line, NUPEC Feline Wet Food, in a variety of sizes and flavors.

Finally, another very important aspect of nutrition that you can't forget during winter is making sure your cat stays properly hydrated, so check that it always has access to fresh, clean water.

To learn more about the winter care your cat needs, we recommend talking to your trusted veterinarian, who can give you a broader view of the special care your pet needs during this season.

At NUPEC^®, we are committed to enhancing the health, beauty and life of pets through responsible scientific nutrition, bringing fulfillment to their owners.

References:

• The Humane Society - An Overview of Caring for Outdoor Cats
• Animal Humane Society - Outdoor cats in cold winters: How they survive in Minnesota