Outdoor cats and feral cats tend to fare better in extreme cold than their indoor-only counterparts, provided that they still have access to warm places for restful sleep and fresh water.
If you own an outdoor cat and are concerned about its safety in a cold snap, construct them a simple shelter that they can retreat into during extreme temperatures. Bring them inside as soon as temperatures dip to avoid hypothermia and frostbite occurring.
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Hypothermia
Normal body temperatures for cats are crucial for all their systems to function effectively and survival. Hypothermia compromises these functions and may cause various symptoms including depression of the central nervous system, altered heart rates and blood flow rates, as well as changes in breathing.
If your pet shows symptoms of depression, difficulty breathing, or cold limbs, take him immediately to his veterinarian. Provide detailed information regarding when these signs appeared in order for your vet to assess how severe and quickly his hypothermia needs treatment.
At first, a veterinarian will use a rectal thermometer or, in extreme cases, check their groin area where their legs meet to take your cat’s temperature. Cold patches could appear there or it might register so low on standard thermometers that its results don’t show.
Cats suffering from mild to moderate hypothermia will typically be treated by wrapping them in warm towels and applying heating pads or Bair Huggers from within – these devices are less likely to burn your cat than traditional heating pads! Your vet may also administer warm water enemas or stomach lavages; provide oxygen support; or intravenous fluids so as to maintain conscious care throughout treatment.
Severe hypothermia requires immediate veterinary intervention. A veterinarian must begin by warming the cat from his groin upwards, being mindful not to warm too rapidly as this could damage their organs. Treatment will likely include use of Bair Huggers, warm intravenous fluids and oxygen support – intensive measures indeed!
Frostbite occurs when exposed for extended periods to freezing temperatures, often accompanied by hypothermia. To safeguard your cat’s welfare, any indications of frostbite on his ear tips, tail or paw pads should be monitored closely as these are often the first parts of their bodies that begin losing control of temperature regulation and die out as untreated frostbitten tissues die off and could put him or her at risk for hypothermia.
Frostbite
As with humans, cats can develop frostbite if exposed to very cold temperatures for extended periods. Frostbite occurs when skin freezes and restricts blood flow to areas like paws, ears, noses and tails; it’s sometimes fatal. Cats especially vulnerable are without shelter, elderly or sick cats who remain outside at such times.
Frostbite typically affects extremities and thinly haired parts of the body, such as extremities, ears, eyelids, noses and tail tips. It typically starts as numbness before swelling or blistering occurs. Third and fourth degree frostbite are the worst forms of frostbite as these involve all layers of the skin and can even result in tissue death, gangrene or even amputation of affected extremities or body parts.
Frostbite can be difficult to diagnose since symptoms don’t typically surface until after an area warms up, but signs are similar to hypothermia in cats. They may appear lethargic with waxy or clouded eyes and an inability to feel their paws; additional symptoms could include difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea.
As soon as frostbite appears, it’s imperative that an immediate vet visit be scheduled. Cats showing symptoms should be warmed and wrapped in blankets or towels until help arrives; any direct contact with metal objects could exacerbate damage further; oftentimes when treated appropriately early and on time, frostbitten tissues recover more quickly.
To prevent frostbite in cats, owners can feed stray, feral and backyard cats extra food to ensure they have enough energy to generate heat and stay warm during extreme cold conditions. They should provide extra dry and canned food during extreme cold snaps in plastic bowls instead of metal ones which might freeze. Furthermore, considering adding an electric heated bed will add an additional layer of warmth for outdoor cats who spend most of their lives outside.
Cold Wet Paws
Cold weather can be extremely hazardous for cats, no matter if you own one indoors or foster feral colonies. Although cats are natural survivors who tend to take good care in looking after themselves, temperatures below 32F (-2C) can pose significant threats that put their lives in jeopardy. One such danger is hypothermia; this condition occurs when their core body temperature drops lower than what their surface body temperature actually is, often compounded with wet fur. Make sure any outdoor cat or feral colony have somewhere safe where they can stay warm and dry when temperatures dip lower – this condition must not occur!
Fretbite can also pose a threat. This extremely painful condition occurs when blood is diverted away from extremities in order to keep warm, thus decreasing flow to them and decreasing flow to core body parts like ears, paws and tail.
Detecting cold paws on a cat could be a telltale sign of hypothermia or another severe illness requiring immediate veterinary intervention, including symptoms like shivering, loss of coordination and difficulty breathing.
Other signs of hypothermia in cats include a reduced heart rate and altered breathing pattern, along with loss of coordination or confusion in affected individuals.
Bear in mind that outdoor cats and kittens are more prone to cold stress than indoor or elderly cats, especially older or sickly ones who may find difficulty in controlling their body temperature, making the cold much more acutely felt – this is especially true if they suffer from chronic health conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease.
If your cat’s paws feel cold, it is wise to wipe them down with a warm towel in order to prevent him from inadvertently indulging in salt or antifreeze that is commonly used during winter to deice roads and sidewalks – both substances contain toxic materials which could poison him if consumed by accident.
Injuries
Hypothermia is one of the greatest dangers faced by winter cats, as its symptoms include body temperature dropping dangerously low levels. This condition requires immediate veterinary attention if signs such as shivering, anxiety or lethargy appear; you can help your feline warm and dry by covering it in blankets or using a hot water bottle until you can bring her in for evaluation by your veterinarian.
Frostbite can be fatal to cats. Frostbite occurs when the outer layers of their skin freeze, causing tissue damage and eventually necessitating an amputation. Signs of frostbite may not become evident until parts such as the paw, nose or ears begin to look black or dead-looking; frostbite severity ratings include first degree damage only affecting superficial layers while second and third degree frostbite damage deeper tissues further still, with third and fourth degree frostbite potentially being life threatening due to permanent tissue damage occurring deep within tissues as third and fourth degree frostbite causes permanent tissue damage with third and fourth degrees being severe enough to result in life threatening amputation of vital organs being affected as a consequence.
At times when cats become cold, other injuries may also result from this discomfort. A cold-weather cat may become more susceptible to slipping and falling than their counterparts; making them easy targets for predators; injuries may also arise from rough snow surfaces, leading to cuts or scrapes; as well as arthritis-related symptoms when temperatures become severe.
As much as possible, keeping indoor cats inside during extreme cold weather conditions is the best way to protect them. If you support stray or feral cats outside, make sure they have access to an unfrozen source of water and dry food, along with a shelter offering bedding when weather becomes extremely harsh. In addition, regularly check on them while they’re outside for signs of injury, including bleeding that might indicate discomfort from cold temperatures.