November 15, 2009

Greetings, everyone!

Now that winter has settled her cold hands upon the land, please take some time to think about your outdoor cats. Even though everyone knows my feelings about outdoor cats, and how dangerous it is for cats to be allowed outdoors, there are still people who allow their cats to go outside. And this time of year can be an even more dangerous time for them.

Cats crave heat. When it is cold outside, we will seek any heat source we can find. This has led to cats being seriously injured or even killed when they have climbed up into the engines of cars.

If you have an outdoor cat, please provide a safe and warm place for them to sleep. A cat house with blankets or even straw is better than nothing. If you use straw for the bedding, change it regularly or it can become moldy, causing respiratory problems for your cat. Also make sure the cat's house has more than one opening so it can escape if chased into the house by another animal.

Some cities will put salt down on sidewalks and roads to help thaw ice. An outdoor cat walking on the salt can get granules stuck in their paws. When the cat licks its paws later during grooming, it can ingest the salt, causing severe gastrointestinal problems. Also, salt is caustic and can lodge in their pads, causing skin irritations.

Outdoor cats are very active and need proper nutrition, especially during cold weather. Always make sure there is plenty of food and fresh water provided for your cat. Check the water regularly, as water bowls will freeze during cold weather, denying your cat its required hydration.

Many people perform automobile maintenance in the fall, including changing antifreeze. Cats are drawn to the smell of antifreeze, and it is very toxic to us! Ingesting even a small amount of antifreeze can kill us! Make sure you dispose of any chemicals in a secured container!

As we all know, outdoor cats face many dangers, and live a far shorter life than indoor cats. The dangers faced by outdoor cats only increase during the winter. Please, if you are not going to keep your cat indoors, do everything you can to keep it healthy and safe during the cold months!

*****

Cats, indoor and outdoor, face many other dangers during this time of year. Many people like to decorate their houses for the holidays, and some of those decorations are very bad for cats. Many lilies are deadly to cats, including Tiger, Asian, Stargazer and Casa Blanca Lilies. Poinsettias can cause stomach problems in cats, as can mistletoe and holly.

Christmas tree water can contain pesticides and fertilizers that can make cats ill. Stagnant tree water is another danger, creating a place for bacteria to form.

Tinsel and ribbons can get caught in our intestinal tracts and cause obstructions, while glass tree ornaments can cut us if they get broken or ingested. And liquid potpourri, while it smells pretty, can make us very sick!

The holidays should be a time of joy and pleasure. Taking some extra time to keep your holiday celebrations pet-friendly can keep your holiday from becoming a tragedy!

Your friend,
Obie