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Apr
A reflective or fluorescent quick release collar may help get them seen particularly in the winter months when it gets dark earlier. The study found that cats ate approximately 15 less food during summer and the.
Let your cat get used to the harness for short periods indoors and then pick a safe outdoor area to explore.
Should indoor cats be fed more in winter. Cats eat more during the winter and owners should give their pet more food during this time research has found. The study found that cats ate approximately 15 less food during summer and the. The Effect of Cold.
According to the ASPCA cold weather increases a cats energy needs. The lower the temperature gets the more energy it takes for the cats body to maintain its correct temperature. This in turn means that cats need more food.
When the days become shorter and the temperature begins to drop you might notice your cat is a little hungrier than they used to be. Many cats do in fact need to eat more during the winter. Its something many cat owners have noticed and theres even an academic study to back it up.
2 min read. Changing weather means changing needs for your cat especially during the winter. If you keep your cat indoors or keep her in just for the winter she wont be affected by the drop in temperature or the hazards of cold weather.
But there are still a few things you can do to give your cat a little extra help. Indoor cats dont usually need more calories in the winter. But if they spend time outside it may be a good idea to increase their food intake to compensate for the extra calories they burn to keep warm.
Instead we should feed our cats and probably dogs despite the lack of research less in the spring early fall and summer months and perhaps increase the feeding amount in the winter late fall and early spring months especially for those pets that are subject to exposure to lower temperatures. Cats should be kept inside for their own health and safety. Cats who go outside are at a greater risk for catching diseases or parasites from other animals or getting hurt in an accident.
These risks can be even higher in the winter when temperatures are colder daylight hours are shorter and visibility is lower due to bad weather. From age six months to maturity most cats will do well when fed two times a day Once the cat becomes an adult at about one year feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. Senior cats age seven and above should maintain the same feeding regimen.
Once cats reach adulthood once a day feeding is fine as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems. The number of meals a cat eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. Cats should eat at least two meals each day about 12 hours apart.
But a breakfast lunch afternoon dinner and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea. Let your cat get used to the harness for short periods indoors and then pick a safe outdoor area to explore.
KittyWalk Systems also makes a pet stroller that allows for longer brisker walks and provides a measure of safety from free-roaming dogs. Plant a gardenof catnip. Cats will nibble on it and roll in it.
Thats why I would recommend Outdoor Thermo-Kitty Home Heated for your Kitty. This will ensure your Cat has a place to rest and keep themselves warm. If you can it would be better to try and keep your Cat indoors during the nights in winter.
That way you know your Cat is safe and warm at home. University of Guelph. Feeding indoor cats just once a day could improve health.
If you have feral or community cats in your neighborhood here are a few ways you can lend a helping hand. Set out extra food during winter. Increased food portions help them conserve energy.
Wet food takes less energy to digest but should be served in heated pet food bowls which can be found at most pet stores. Providing dry food which wont freeze works for frigid. Cats are often reluctant to use a dirty tray or one located in a busy area.
Ensure your cat has enough space - indoor-only cats should have access to several rooms. Give them at least two types of resting place - one at floor level enclosed on three sides and another higher one with a good view. This should be safe for your cat to access.
It is important that cats outside in cold be able to find shelter from the wet and wind and enough to eat. A well-fed cat will withstand the weather better than one struggling to find food. An indoor cat that escapes out in the winter will be at much greater risk.
He will be helpless to find food and shelter. Crist of Texas AM says. Indoor cats are generally less active than outdoor cats so they burn up less energy and require a lower number of kilocalories in their daily food.
Indoor cats should be fed the lower level of recommended quantity on recommended levels on food packaging. For their own safety and for the sake of the environment cats belong indoors with people who are willing to put the time and energy into making them active safe and happy members of the family. Ive read that cats need more food in the winter.
But I dont want my cat to gain weight. Youre right to be concerned. A cats winter coat comes is thick to help provide warmth during the winter months.
Cats Purr for Cuddles. We prepare for the winter months where the chilly weather is hard on the entire family however we mustnt forget that our cats need preparing too. From our indoor cat to the feral ones outside they too depend on us for every need and.
Finally if your cat is amenable to it you might consider adopting a second cat as a playmate. Indoor cats are overweight. If your cat is overweight the safest way to help her trim down is by combining portion control and a daily exercise and play routine.
Stop free-feeding your cat or at least be mindful only to feed a healthy. Keep your cat indoors at night to protect them from the hazards of the roads. A reflective or fluorescent quick release collar may help get them seen particularly in the winter months when it gets dark earlier.
However collars themselves are not. Youll want to ensure youre feeding an appropriate amount of food whether you feed dry wet or a combination of both. Indoor cats may not get as much exercise as an outdoor cat would so they need fewer calories.
Outdoor or indooroutdoor cats living in regions with cold winters may need more food in the winter. Some cats might prefer to head indoors during the winter and find a warm spot for a snooze. Warm comfortable and draught-free places are ideal for your cat while heat pads or beds that go over radiators are even better.
If your cat has come in from the snow wipe off any road grit salt or anything that might stick to their paws and fur. Yes their thickened winter coats help feral and stray cats weather winters chill but they still need warm dry well-insulated and appropriate-sized shelters. Its cheapest to build your own and there are many plans and instructions that can help you get started.
Many cats really enjoy a warm cozy place to nap. Its not unusual to walk into a room and find your cat curled up in the sunniest spot. With the approach of colder months many indoor cats especially older ones or kitties with arthritis will seek out the warmest spots in the house.