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We had cold, rain and wind yesterday, a real autumn weather ! Leaves begin imperceptibly to change color and to fall, and we begin discreetly to get ready for winter.
How do cats get ready for winter ?
They moult.
The renewal of our coat accelerates, and we lose many hairs : our summer hairs fall and are replaced by our more thick winter hairs. It’s important to brush us regularly ! Indeed, we spend a lot of time to lick ourselves to have a wash, and the excessive ingestion of hairs can cause digestive problems : hairs gather together in our stomach and form balls. If we can vomit these hairballs, so much the better, but otherwise, we risk an intestinal obstruction.
They eat more.
Zorro increases his daily ration of about 50 grams. His weight increases by at least 300 grams in winter ! He bards literally himself with bacon, eeh, fat, to protect himself from the cold, because he goes out almost as much in winter as in summer.
As for me, there are few differences between my summer rations and my wintry rations, because I go a lot less outside as soon as it gets a little bit chilly.
They sleep longer.
As there are fewer small critters to be observed, we get a little bored… Fortunately, our human is attentive to play every day with us to make us move ! She also places puzzles feeders in strategic places to distract us.
They spend more time inside.
It’s normal, we get cold pads after a while !
Indoor cats are also subject to these changes, but in a much less marked way.
I want to be a kitty too… to eat more and to sleep more is the perfect preparation for winter… and for the whole year ;O)
My human likes when I get my fuller winter coat – I “present” better, as she says.
You are right.
As indoor cats our changes are more subtle.
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
After a little while of cooler temps, we are getting Summer weather back again around here! Glad I didn’t store away my shorts and t-shirts, and I like that the kitties have some more pleasant days to fritter away.
Eating more and sleeping more works for me! Have a fun weekend sweet friends!
We are amazed at how outside cats or any animal survives the cold winters, especially where snow and ice for days, weeks, and months are normal. We think we’ve seen those signs in our indoor cats from summer into winter, and are thankful everyone loves brushies to help them gain their indoor winter coats.
Huh. I never thought about the changes to prepare for winter. I’ve always been preoccupied with the shedding for summer – I didn’t consider there might be a second shedding season.
Don’t talk about winter yet! It is still summer today!
Mommy wishes I would eat more. Lexy eats enough for the both of us! MOL
That is all so true. We all eat much more and we know just how to curl up to stay warm when we are outside. That sure is a pretty picture. Have a great week end.
You got the cold weather too eh? Yep, fall is in the air….dang it! We like summer best. Kali is shedding furs like crazy. Mom thought she was going bald but she still has furs. I don’t loose much fur but I am outside more than Kali. Go figure! Perhaps I’m a late shedder. mol
Shoko
It has been very cold and wet here also. I think I am sleeping more, but hopefully not eating too much more or my doctor will be having words with me!
I marvelous, have not spent a winter in Canada. But I believe the winters are not much different than in Tehran. I am looking forward to it. And Cats getting ready for winter…For me, it will just mean less trips out to the Catio..
Purrs
Marv
Dad no longer likes the winter now as he ages. He says his bones hurt and they never used too. That is why him and Buddy Budd sit and talk about elder things MOL
Einstein say he was so happy that you Zorro and Pixie came across the ocean to his birthday pawty. He says you looked like you were having a great time and he will not say anything to Claire MOL
Timmy and Einstein
Kitties don’t like cold pads.XO
Our leaves have started falling and the grass has slowed down but it is still hot. I love your planter!
Our cats have never experienced freezing temperatures since they are mostly indoors cats and our temperature rarely falls below freezing. When it does, we surely have the heat on.
Oh, thank you for letting me know that other kitties do what I’m doing for winter’s arrival. No wonder my hair is all over the place, but mama brushes me often and I LOVVVVVE that.
My eyes sort of squint and my purr gets louder and then I get malt paste for possible whatevers…..
Happy winter to you all.
Mudpie is switching coats as we speak!
Summer came quite late here in Montreal! So we’re still enjoying 30 degrees (celcius). Although we have to brace ourselves for lots of snow in winter.
It’s not only us kitties that moult, I’m sure the Lady Cat moults too since her long hair is all over the place too! MOL