Cats in winter: A nice and cosy place,

Cats in winter: A nice and cosy place, please!

Our house cats have inherited their preference for sunlight and warmth from their ancestors who lived in steppes. Also, their sensitive organisms need a dry, warm climate. So it’s no surprise that they don’t like our typical cold, wet and grey winter weather at all.

"Even those cats who normally love the outdoors will only go outside for short excursions in the cold, wet season and prefer to stay inside where it’s warm," says Brigitte Eilert-Overbeck, author of several guidebooks on pets. "And that’s a good thing. For if cats are exposed to wet and cold weather for too long, they can catch bladder infections or other diseases. Your pet should always be able to return into the warm at any time or should have a retreat outside that is sheltered from cold, rain and drafts – and that is absolutely the minimum requirement. If you provide some winter wellness for your pussycat, you are doing something for your own well-being as well."

A few tips how to do this from the expert:

1.
In order to keep their energy levels balanced in the cold season, cats can spend up to 20 hours sleeping or dozing. They prefer to do this where their humans are. They really like cuddly beds or cushions on the windowsill, on a cupboard or in other warm places from where they have a good view. For one needs to be able to find out what’s going on quickly, even at a time when one needs one’s peace and quiet.

2.
Please cuddle me! At this time of the year cats have a heightened need for body contact. Isn’t that nice for us! We can enjoy a nice evening in front of the TV or with a good book so much more with a purring cat on our lap.

3.
A bit of activity is necessary, though: if you take the time to play with your cat a couple of times a day for ten minutes, your cat will stay fit and be in a good mood. Cat activity games as well as balls, playing rods or toys are ideal for this.

4.
When moulting, our pussycats welcome our help. So please give them a gentle brushing every day - this not only keeps their hairs off our carpets, furniture and clothing, it also prevents the formation of hairballs, removes dead skin cells and boosts the cat’s circulation.

5.
Cats love dry warmth, but not the dry air produced by our heating systems. Therefore we need to let in fresh air frequently and use humidifiers – this produces an air quality that is beneficial for us as well as our pets.