Just like humans, cats need to stay warm during cold winter months, and there are a few different ways to help keep them snug.

Before we give you a few tips on how to help keep them warm, it is probably a good idea to give you a few pointers on how to see if your furry friend may be feeling cold.

Below are some signs to watch out for 😊

Shivering

This is an obvious one, as humans also shiver.

Puffed and hunched down.

Your cat might hunch down to be closer to the ground and puff up their fur.

Colder Extremities

Their ears, tail or nose might feel cooler to the touch than normal.

Looking for warmer places

Your cat might roam around more than usual trying to find a snug spot.

It is difficult to say exactly what temperature is right for cats as it depends on the breed, weight and their fur type. Keep an eye out for the signs above to ensure your cat is comfortable and warm.

There are many ways to keep your cat toasty warm:

  • Pop them in bed with you. You get to cuddle, and besides helping keep them warm, they are excellent foot warmers!
  • You can get self-warming beds that are specifically designed for cats.
  • During the day, make a bed for them in a sunny corner.
  • Your cat might be hungrier than usual, so you might want to feed your cat a little extra during the cold months. Talk to your vet to see what a healthy amount for your cat is.
  • Sphynx cats or cats with very short fur might need a little extra, like a cat hoodie or sweater, as they don’t have any fur.

Since you are both stuck indoors, here’s a few tips from the Petinsurance.com.au team to keep you busy and warm at the same time.

Have fun with cat toys.

Try a string on a stick cat teaser but be mindful not to let your cat ingest the string! Laser pointer are always popular with cats, you can finish the laser pointer game by leading it to a toy for your cat to “catch” as a physical prize for chasing after the laser. Be careful not to shine it in their eyes. Cats are natural born hunters and having a prey at the end of a chasing game is much more rewarding for them.  Keep it interesting by rotating toys so that they don’t get bored of the game.

Try DIY toys.

Cats love playing with corks, a ball of paper or aluminium foil, pipe cleaners wrapped into a spring shape or make some homemade pom-poms. Make sure that the sizes are big enough for them not to be able to swallow it.

Play hide and seek or fetch.

Find your cat and be super excited when you find them, so that they can see it is a game. If you are doing it the other way, by hiding from them, make sure they know you are playing a game, otherwise you might be hiding forever!

Brush your cat

Most cats like being brushed and it doesn’t only remove dead hair it also gives you quality bonding time.

Create a cat treat puzzle.

Place treats inside a toilet paper roll that has been closed at both ends. Cut a hole in the middle just big enough for the treats to be able to fall out when your cat pushes it around.

Cardboard box.

Cats love cardboard boxes. Place some all over the house for your cat to investigate. It becomes even more fun if you place them at different angles and have different sizes so that you can stack them. Remember, safety first, so ensure that the boxes are secure and won’t tumble down!

Have fun, stay warm and remember nothing beats a good cuddle with your furry friend!