Illnesses that Cats are Prone to During Winter

Image Credits: Pixabay

Winter is the time for us to get inside our blankets and sip hot chocolate with our favorite movies. We snuggle in our warm jackets and cozy mufflers to protect ourselves from the cold weather. However, the onset of winter brings a new challenge for cat-parents. Cats have their lovely fur and an undercoat to keep them warm, but that does not mean they do not need special care.

Winters can be harsh on our adorable furry friends. Just like us, our cats can also fall sick in the cold environment.

We have listed three of the most common illnesses that cats are prone to during winter. Look out for the symptoms and help keep your cat healthy this winter.

1. Hypothermia

Hypothermia is one of the most common illnesses during winter that happens due to exposure to cold. Cats who already have some disease are more vulnerable. Wet, cold, and soggy fur are the worst things for combination during winter.

Symptoms

If your cat is shivering and demonstrates lethargy, your cat may be suffering from Hypothermia.

What to do?

Ensure your cat does not remain outside in the cold for too long. When going out, keep your cat warm in a jacket that helps keep the snow from getting in the fur.

2. Frostbite

Frostbite is a disease that goes hand-in-hand with hypothermia due to extreme exposure to the cold environment. Frostbite leads to damage in the tissues causing pain.

Symptoms

The symptoms of frostbite can range from mild to severe. The cat may have pale and hard skin that turns red and swollen when warmed. On the extreme, the cat may suffer from skin blistering and darkening of the skin, which may lead to gangrene.

What to do?

Just like with Hypothermia, you need to keep your cat warm and limit overexposure to the cold and snow. If you see signs of frostbite, warm up your pet by applying lukewarm water to the affected areas.

Do not massage the damaged areas as this could cause a lot of pain.

3. The Sniffles

Cats, just like humans, can catch a cold and fall sick. They sneeze and have watery eyes when this disease takes over.

Symptoms

If you hear your little pet coughing and sporting wetter noses, chances are it has caught a cold. Lethargy and weakness also accompany these symptoms.

What to do? During winter, keep your pet warm at all times. Warm food and water are the tricks to ensure your cat remains healthy. Always have water in the bowl. If your cat has a cough, place a humidifier in the room or take it into the bathroom when you shower if you do not have a humidifier. The steam will help with the cough.