Steps to Avoid Cat Hypothermia

Many people don't realize that cold weather can be extremely dangerous to furry pets like cats. Think about how you feel after being out in the cold for only a few minutes, even bundled up in your winter coat. You're probably still cold, and cats are the same way despite their furry coat. If you leave your cat exposed to the cold weather for too long, it may show signs of hypothermia which, in the worst case scenario, could lead to death.

Hypothermia is a medical condition when the body temperature drops too low for the organs to properly function. Frostbite will often occur in the extremities, because the body will begin to shut down unnecessary parts to keep the vital organs as warm as possible. Your cat could become too cold due to many different reasons, but here are some things you can do to prevent them from getting hypothermia:

- If you usually let your cat go outdoors, it'll need to come back inside more quickly during the wintertime. This is especially true for cats with short hair, smaller cats, and cats recovering from sickness.

- If your cat is wet, don't let it outside for any reason.

- If you give your cat a bath or it gets wet, dry it off immediately if the weather is cold outside, even if you're inside.

- Make sure you cat can't get outside: it may not be able to figure out how to get back in, and by the time you realize your pet is missing, hypothermia could be setting in.

If you cat does develop hypothermia, you'll see it shivering, moving slowly, and breathing shallowly. Eventually, it'll become unresponsive and die; therefore, it is important to warm up your cat.

But if you warm it too quickly, the damage could be even worse. Fight off the urge to just dunk your cat in a tub of warm water; instead slowly warm the animal up. Bring the cat into a warm room and wrap it in warm blankets. You can put a towel in the clothes dryer for a few seconds, or use warm water bottles wrapped in a washcloth. Hair dryers work well too; just be sure you don't get too close to your cat and keep the setting on the dryer low. Once your cat starts to warm up, giving it a warm bath can be helpful, except if you're planning on taking it outside again to visit the vet.

Remember that calling your veterinarian is always your best option. No matter how careful you are and how caring you are to your pet, animals will find a way outside accidentally sometimes. If your cat does show symptoms of being too cold, you now know what to do to save its life. Use these warming techniques and your vet will be able to get you on the right track to helping your cat recover.