Caring for Different Cats During Winter

3 min read

Jun 11, 2023

A black and white cat stands with their legs covered in tall snow outside during daylight.

With winter months come cold weather, and if you're a cat owner, it can be important to prepare for how to best take care of your cat. Whether indoor or outdoor, young or old, you should take great care to prepare your furry friends for winter. If you're wondering just how to take care of your felines this winter, here are a few tips to help you care for different types of cats.

Outdoor Cats

It might be instinctual to want your outdoor cats inside for the winter, but if your cat is used to being outside, then you should continue to let them roam during the day so their bodies can adapt to the colder weather. If your cat has an outdoor shelter, consider raising it off the ground and adding extra bedding to help maintain higher temperatures. In addition, you should always be ready to dry off your cat's paws when they come inside.

Indoor Cats

Indoor cats are a little bit more lax, but if their bed is on the floor, you should also consider moving it to a higher location to help avoid draftiness. You should provide a little extra bedding between the bed itself and the floor to help maintain heat.

Older Cats

If you have an older cat, you should focus primarily on helping them get around. Colder weather can have an effect on their limbs, causing stiffness and discomfort. Providing ramps, and even constructing "ladders" using stools and chairs will make it so they don't have to jump so high.

Cat Owners may want to Consider Cat Insurance

Regardless of your cat's age or lifestyle, you may consider getting a cat insurance plan just in case. A cat insurance policy may be able to provide pet parents with peace of mind this winter season, allowing them to focus on what matters most. Their cats.

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Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.

¹ Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions.