How do cats get ready for winter ?

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.

An original gift

Our dear human offered herself a pneumonia for her birthday, no less.

Difficult to do more original ! We thought well of reaching for the moon for her, but it was a little bit far.

The doctor had already offered her antibiotics and a good week of work stoppage. We needed to find something else.

I thought thus that an enormous moth just out of bed would be a good idea : what a success ! There is unfortunately no photo, but she had tons of fun trying to catch him !

Mother Nature is angry

Last week, we posted an article in which you found links to help animals affected by hurricane Harvey.

What a shock it was, and the word is weak, when we heard that hurricane Irma followed Harvey closely, and was even more violent and devastating !

Landslides in Switzerland, earthquake in Mexico, drought for several years in certain regions of Africa, fires in California, in Montana, and Wyoming, more violent hurricanes than the last, Mother Nature is angry.

We understand her : she must be fed up with human bullshit ! Unfortunately, Mother Nature has difficulty in targeting her action and in shaking those who would deserve it, and she makes many innocents suffer.

What’s to be done ? How to help ?

If you are on site, follow the recommendations of the authorities regarding evacuation or regarding putting in a safe place.
Solidarity and mutual aid are essential in these terrible moments.
All around the world, you can give to a serious fund-raising organization (Red Cross for example) which will commit your donations to answer the need for the people affected by the disaster.
To help animals, inquire with the associations of animal welfare in the affected areas and the surroundings : they do an extraordinary work !

We cross our paws for all our friends who are in regions affected by a natural disaster, or who are on the path of Harvey, Irma, José, or Katia. Stay safe !