Hypothermia-A Hazard to Your Cat's Health

Your cat’s health is very important. You should always ask your veterinarian when in doubt, but it is important to learn about such things on your own. That way, you will not only notice symptoms faster, you can also save some money and grief. If you want to be sure that you cat is getting treatment as soon as possible, you need to watch for signs that something may be wrong with your pet.

Although your cat may have a furry coat, cold weather can still be hazardous to your cat’s health. Imagine how you would feel after being out on a cold day knee deep in snow for more than a few minutes—even with your winter coat, you are probably still very cold. Cats are the same, and if you leave your pet exposed to the cold for too long, he or she may show signs of hypothermia. In a worst-case scenario, hypothermia can lead to death.

Ways to protect your cat: There are many different reasons why your cat could become too cold. If you typically let your cat outdoors, remember that he or she will need to come back inside more quickly during the winter. This is especially true for smaller cats, cats with short hair, or cats recovering from an illness. Also, never let your cat outside if he or she is wet, for whatever reason. In fact, if you bathe your cat or your cat otherwise gets wet, dry him or her immediately if the weather is cold, even if you are indoors. Make sure your cat cannot get outside in any way—your pet may not be able to figure out how to get back inside, and by the time you realize that he or she is missing, hypothermia could have taken hold.

What is hypothermia? Hypothermia is a medical condition that occurs when the body cannot sustain a constant temperature and drops so low that organs cannot function properly. Frostbite occurs mostly in extreme cold, the body shuts down parts of the body to provide vital organs with enough energy. If you cat has hypothermia, you’ll see your pet shivering, moving slowly, and breathing shallowly. Eventually, your cat will become unresponsive and die. Therefore, it is important to take immediate action to warm up your pet.

How to treat hypothermia: It is important to take immediate action but if you warm a pet too quickly, the damage could be even worse. Resist the urge to dunk your pet in warm water! That is a no no. Instead, warm up your pet slowly. Bring your animal into a warm room and wrap in warm blankets. You can even throw a towel in the dryer for a few seconds. Or use warm water bottles wrapped in a washcloth. Hairdryers work well, as long as you don’t get too close to your cat and keep them on the low settings. Once your cat starts to warm up, a warm bath could be very helpful, although this is not a good idea if you plan to take him or her outside again to go to the vet.

Remember, calling your vet is always your best option. Animals simply sometimes get outside accidentally, no matter how caring you may be to your pet. If your cat shows symptoms of being too cold, you can use these warming techniques to save your pet’s life, and your vet will be able to get you on the right track to helping your pet recover.