There are a few winter hazards that may harm or threaten your pet. So we’ve put together an easy checklist so that you can ensure that your cat (and dog) is safe and protected through the winter months.

Grit or rock salt on paws

In wintry, icy conditions very often road/street grit or rock salt is spread on roads, pavements and paths. This grit and rock salt is toxic to cats and dogs and could cause diarrhoea, skin irritations, vomiting, kidney failure and, in extreme cases, brain damage.

Dogs and cats could become ill after walking through the grit on the ground and then licking the substance off their irritated paws. The grit when ingested will develop an irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract leading diarrhoea and vomiting and, in extreme cases, the grit salt could also affect the kidneys and brain.

So when walking your dog or letting your cat out, please be vigilant and examine their paws  to make sure that they have no grit on their paws or between their toes. To be on the safe side, during winter and icy conditions wash your pet’s feet and wipe them clean immediately after they go outside and come back in.

Anti-freeze poisoning

The smell and taste of anti-freeze products is extremely attractive to cats and dogs. However anti-freeze is toxic and poisonous and potentially fatal. If you cat or dog is vomiting, walking strangely/to one side or stumbling and is unsteady on their feet it could be that they have licked up or ingested anti-freeze. Don’t delay as you must take your pet to your vet immediately. The quicker you act and get your pet examined the faster you may be saving their life.

Hypothermia

In cold weather, pets can suffer from hypothermia just as humans can. If your cat or dog is shivering and appears to be suffering from the cold in any way, take them to your vet immediately. Limit their time outdoors, especially in very cold conditions, although cats tend to stay in the warm anyhow. If you don’t have a cat flap, check regularly to see if you cat wants to come back inside, and never leave them shut outside for long periods of time. It is always worth installnig a cat flap if you don’t have one so that your cat can enter and exit your home as it pleases and doesn’t have to wait to be let into its home.

Items that are toxic to pets during the festive season….

– Take care with various foods during Christmas such as chocolate, sultanas, raisins, graps and Christmas pudding.

– Ensure that your dog does not drink any alcohol as it is toxic to pets and can lead to brain damage.

– Meat and chicken bones can be very damaging and fatal to your pet, getting stuck in their throat and digestive tract, and sharp bones cutting or scraping internally when swallowed. Don’t leave meat or bones lying around and ask your guests to not feed your pets scraps or food.

– Decorations such as tinsel can also be ingested by pets, so keep your decorations away from pets and high up out of reach.

– Poinsetta plants are popular at Christmas, however they are very toxic to cats and dogs. The milky, white sap contains harmful chemicals that can cause conjunctivitis to the eyes. If your cat or dog is showing signs of vomiting, itchiness, swelling or unusual irritation, then please see a vet immediately.

Fireworks and pets

The fireworks and Diwali season, beginning from October every year, can be extremely frightening and stressful for your cats and dogs, and all pets. You can read how to protect your pets during the fireworks and make things as stress-free as possible for them. Read our fireworks and cats article here.

We have a full guide of items that are toxic for your cat that you can read.

If your cat is chewing non-stop household items around the home – edges of tables, shoelaces, sofas, objects – why is your cat doing this?

Destructive chewing inedible objects is called `pica’.  There could be a number of reasons why your cat is chewing inedible objects including genetics, environmental triggers, stress, boredom or early weaning issues caused by diet. It is very dangerous if a cat ingests a non-edible object.

The first step is to take your cat to the vet to check whether there is a medical or behavioural issue that is causing your cat to chew.  If your cat is healthy and there is nothing wrong with it, there are a few things that you can do at home.

If it’s down to boredom, you can provide your cat with additional stimulation and enrichment to occupy him/her. Have regular play times with your cat – try three daily 10 minute session so that your cat can play and be mentally stimulated daily. Interactive toys such as rotating balls and mouse games are very engaging. Interactive feeders are also a great way to entertain your cat. You can buy one or how about making a really simple and effective one out of reused plastic containers and toilet rolls. See the video below:

Toys with catnip are a great way to entertain your cat, so make sure you have a few catnip toys around that are extra strength to last a while. Creating places that are high to sit and chill are a great way to occupy your cat. Your cat may like to sit looking out of the windows too. We don’t have window sills where our cat can look out, so we put high stools by the front and back windows so that our cats can spectate the garden and outdoor goings on!

If you cat still persists in chewing, it may be worth giving him/her something safe to chew on, so for instance a softened hide stick that is large and not small that you cat could swallow it. Soften in water  and keep an eye on your cat when they chew it. Remove any pieces that are small enough for your cat to swallow whole.

Why do cats purr?

Nobody knows for absolutely sure, but there are many theories on cats’ purring.

A cat will purr when it is relaxed and contented and often a cat will purr around their humans in a relaxed state and when they are in a friendly and social mood, especially when they are stroked or fed. When a cat purrs in this situation, they are saying thank you to their humans for their care and friendship as well as displaying their contentment.

However, rather adversely, a cat’s purring may also be a sign that they are in pain, anxious or injured, afraid or distressed in some way. When a kitten looks out of the window for the first time, they can purr because they are nervous and afraid about the outside world. When a cat visits the vet, they are likely to purr and this could be a signal to the vet that they are distressed and in need of friendship because of their injury and pain.

A study from the University of Sussex, England also concluded that felines developed purring as a way for domestic cats to get food from humans.

Every cat’s purr is unique to them. Scientists also found that some domestic cats have evolved a purr that simulates a human baby’s cry. They only use this purr to get our attention which shows how much they want to be a part of our lives.

It is also thought that a cat’s purr may be for self-healing and medical reasons and they purr to help heal their bones and muscles. Cats conserve their natural energy through long sleep periods, rest and cat naps so by purring they are stimulating their bones and muscles without the need to expend a great deal of energy. Cats also rely on their litheness and suppleness for their climbing and prowling so their bones and muscles need to be kept in good shape. Cats also suffer less than dogs and other animals from bone diseases.

How do cats purr?

It is a great mystery to scientists as to how cats generate their purring inside their body. One theory is that cats purr via their diaphragm and larynx muscles and they can purr exhaling and inhaling. Cats can purr with their mouths shut and can continue for hours on end if the cat so wishes.

Another theory is that they generate the sound by a small flexible bone in the cat’s neck which vibrates when the cat pushes air through its voice box. Luca our cat has a very loud purr, it sounds like an engine, and we can hear him inhale and exhale while he does it. He sounds like an engine because at the lower end of the Hertz scale, a cat’s purr has the same vibration and frequency as an engine that is running slow. The Hertz frequency range of a cat’s purr is from 25 to 150 Hertz.

There have been studies researching the healing power of the cat’s purr for humans. Cats’ purring has been proven to help ease depression in humans and lower blood pressure.

Cats purr when they are kittens from a week old. Kittens purr because when they are suckled by their mother cat, they are signalling to their mother that all is well and they are receiving a good supply of milk. This helps the mother cat to monitor and listen to her kittens without looking up. The mother cat in turn will purr to her kittens as they suckle to let them know that she is in a relaxed state. Cats go on to purr throughout their life and it is traced back to the primal mother-kitten context.

Cats are very sensitive creatures as well as being territorial so it’s important to make them feel stress-free and happy in their own home. Here are some tips on how to create a cat-friendly home.

Create areas of privacy

Your household may have dogs, other cats and children which are noisy and stressful to cats. Cats love to be away from it all when it all gets too much for them. You can help by providing your cat with an area of privacy, such as their own bolt-hole room, a cardboard box, keep a wardrobe or cupboard door open so they can creep inside or provide an igloo they can hide away in.

Multi-cat household

If you have a multi-cat household the cats will have their own private area spots that they keep for themselves, so make sure there are spots that your cats can retreat to away from each other. You can observe where each of your cats hang out. One of our cats has one bed and one has the other. One likes to sleep downstairs in a box bed and they all spread out to their own private space. If you can, designate particular rooms for each cat, although usually they will find their own room and stick to it!

Sometimes if one cat ventures into another cat’s space, there may be a hiss or swipe. Some cats will share their space with another cat, you just need to observe what happens and accommodate your cats according to what privacy they need from each other.

Height

Cat also like to be high up, so find an accessible high spot where your cat can escape to. For instance you can put an igloo or blanket on a shelf that your cat can get to or use a spare table. Our cat uses the top of our chest of drawers when she needs an escape so we have put a cushion and blanket there for her.

Access

Your cat will need to have ready access to everything they need at all times such as water, food, their bed and their outdoor area. Don’t take away or move their food, water or bed because they will become stressed.  Cats like everything to stay and remain in the same place.