How to keep your cats warm and kitties cosy this Winter
Being out in the cold makes for lots of Winter fun, but don't forget to wrap up this season. Keep your cats and kittens warm and safe, to make sure no-one gets the Winter blues.
The temperature has dropped, and the Christmas lights are up: Winter is well and truly here! There's nothing like a crisp and frosty Winter walk throughout this season, and your cats will love nothing more than chasing snowflakes and causing trouble. However, it can get more than a little nippy, especially when they don't have thermal gloves and boots like you to rely on. Don't fret, we've gathered our favourite warming Winter tips to keep your kittycats warm and cosy all season long.
Read on to find out how to keep chilliness at bay from your furry friends, both indoors and outdoors.
Cosy up with heating pads
We all love a good hot water bottle when the air is too chilly to bear, and same goes for our purry pals. You can find an array of heating pads available in pet stores and online to pop under pet beds, blankets, or in comfy corners, so your cats can keep nice and warm all day long. Make sure you use pet specific heating pads and mats, as human heating devices may be too hot or delicate for use by our purr-fect kitties. We recommend specifically using these at night wherever your pet likes to sleep, as we all know how chilly those Winter nights can get, and it will put your mind at ease knowing your cats can stay cosy whilst you both get your beauty sleep.
Now that you've got cosy beds set up, how can we keep our cats warm outdoors?
Stylish Winter wear
Some cats can stay warm and happy in even the coldest weather, due to their thick coats and strong size, but what about our smaller and less furry friends? It may be time to upgrade your kitties wardrobe, with some paw-some Winter wear. From protective boots, to warm coats, to snuggly hats, there is stylish and practical apparel available for your cat. Not every cat likes to dress-up, so only don thick coats and boots if your pet needs to. Hairless cats particularly struggle with keeping warm through Winter, so make sure to keep some jumpers on hand if you have this breed at home. If you want your cat to look their absolute best whilst staying snug as a bug, check out our top kitty coat brands for our favourites in feline fashion.
We've tackled the outside, so let's move back indoors to make your home a cosy pussycat paradise.
Cosy hiding spots
Along with heating pads, it can be useful to create lots of warm hiding spots throughout your home for your cat to use. This can include small blanket forts, making their bed warmer with pillows and blankets, or making spots on sofas and beds inviting and cat-friendly. This means your kitty can take themselves off to whichever cosy hideaway they like during the day, to get some alone time and stay snuggled up all at once. Keeping these warm spots elevated and off the floor is also useful, to help them retain heat efficiently and feel safe up high. Everyone's home is different, so find and create cosy cat hideaways wherever works for the both of you.
After all that snuggling and snoozing, let's get their blood pumping! Up on your paws, it's time to get active.
Keep active
It can be tempting to let your cat stay cosied up and sleeping when it's too chilly to move, but sometimes that can be the best thing for them. Cats can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, so letting them sleep isn't too much of a worry. However, when the weather keeps them from exercising outdoors as much, helping them keep active indoors give them much needed stimulation. Keep your kitty entertained with toys and games inside to keep those muscles moving and paws sweating. We recommend setting up lots of different puzzles and play opportunities, so they can stay stimulated and fit without putting a paw through the door. Check out our ideas for stimulating your indoor cat for more at-home fitness tips.
Phew! It must be time to eat after all that exercise, so how can we stay warm through dinner-time?
A simple way to bring more warmth and comfort to your cat this Winter, is to serve them up some deliciously hot meals to keep tummies cosy and happy. We recommend serving up a portion of our Tilly & Ted meals, such as our Chicken with Beef Chunks or Chicken Mousse, warm and steamy so your kitty can enjoy all the goodness of a hot meal this Winter. Pop the meal into a heat-proof bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stirring halfway, or pop it into a small pan and heat on the hob. Heat for longer if not warmed through yet, or leave to cool if the food is too hot to the touch for your cat to eat. Burnt tongues are never fun, so ensure your meal it cool enough for your kitty to chomp down on before serving. Before you know it, your pussycat will be have a snuggly belly and a warm heart, ready to tackle the Winter season like a champ.
If you want to find the purr-fect meal to heat up and treat your kitty to, check out our full range of cat food to find whisker-licking goodness for cats of every shape and size. From chicken-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pussycats will be feeling paw-some and have the happiest tummies around.
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