Cold and wet weather is imminent? You bet! Then again, spring is coming, right? So should get into the habit of laying out a warm, cloth to protect your cat from the cold. Or picking up your cat very soon after the temperature has dropped in an effort to preserve her heat!
Layering in extra blanket or twois a great way to help your cat stay warm. And yes, you can do this at home! Many people start buying this stuff around Christmas time when they see lots of nice decorated cases.
Some things you can buy that are specifically for cats are blankets and teddy bears with waterfalls on them to lay your cat on so she stays warm. Other things that can be used are pajamas or underpants with a matching jacket to put on your cat so she stays warm.
This article will talk about some easy home remedies for cats that do not require any medical attention.
Contents:
Hot water and lemon washing
A recent trick used to break a cat cold is to bathe your cat in a large bowl of warm water and then thoroughly wash the cat with a clean dish cloth or wipe it dry.
This procedure is called washing the cat with soap and can be done several times until it is done. The idea is for the soap to help dry the fur faster, and the lemon and salt to help flavor the water so it tastes better.
To keep this recipe fresh, try putting in some honey or coconut oil instead of plain water. Any kind of broth will work for this- basic chicken, beef, or vegetable soup works fine– just make sure there are no bones in it.
Hot water and tea washing
Another tip for keeping your kitty warm is to perform a cold water and tea washing every few weeks. This allows you to wash the dry surfaces in your cat’s room, like shelves, clothing items, and feet.
When doing this, take your time to spend as much time as possible washing each area. By taking the time to wash all of these things, you are helping your cat feel more comfortable and warm while they recover from their cold.
To do this, take a non-skid footed chair or table top cover and place it on top of the bed or crate where your kitty is sleeping. Next, take some heavy duty cotton filters and fold them into a tight round shape. Place one of these in the bottom of the water supply container and wrap some sturdy twine around it to create a loop.
Then, put your cover under the faucet and let it flow through it to wash the dry floor underneath.
Humidifier use
Changing the humidity in your home is one way to fight a cold. According a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website, “Humidifiers help reduce dryness in the air, promoting moisture content in water sources.”
To use a humidifier, you must first set up your unit. You must first add water to it, then determine how much water you need to cover the water indicator on the unit. You must then place this indicator on top of a container of water to absorb the moisture from the unit.
After that, you must use it! The best way to use a humidifier is to take out the filter every day and wipe off the dried mucus that has accumulated on it.
Saline drops use
Saline drops are a top remedy for cold and flu symptoms. They can be a lifesaver! Unfortunately, most retail stores do not carry these available, so you have to order them online.
Saline drops are usually sold in large bottles that have a cork on top. These bottles must be opened and closed using a pressure wave instead of twist. This method is more difficult to use than twist off caps, but better quality pressure waves can be purchased as well.
This type of saline drop can be used on your cat, either by putting it in your hand and giving it to the cat or having the vet do it for you. Either way, the veterinarian will make sure the cat has a good sense of when it needs one of these drops.
Zinc tablets use
Crocodile skin was first used in China thousands of years ago as a remedy for cold and flu. Today, it is still widely available thanks to supermarkets and online shops.
Zinc is a key micronutrient found in most foods such as spinach and blueberries. Because it is such an essential nutrient, people who are deficient in zinc may struggle against illnesses such as the flu or the cold.
Because it can taste very strong, this home remedy has been limited to small doses of 1–2 tablets per pound (2–4 cups) of body weight. This allows the patient to maintain a normal immune system response without adverse effects of excessive bitterness.
Honey use
As mentioned before, cats will sometimes get a cold or a fever. This is okay as it does not hurt them! Most times, cats will not get a flu or pneumonia so honey is your best bet for this.
Honey is a great treat for your cat. It can be logged in as medicine and/or harmful material to help with that. So, if your cat has the sniffles, you give him honey and let him sleep it off!
Most people would not suggest this as a catch-and-release strategy though. Doing this can lead to your cat having a hard time getting his honey back.
Garlic use
garlic is a great herb for cold and flu symptoms. It can be eaten or even brush your fur friend’s teeth with it!
We recommend trying the relatively new method of brushing your cat’s teeth with garlic powder. This is typically done by starting with a small amount of the garlic paste on one tooth and working up to a fully coated tooth.
Brushing the teeth with garlic can be somewhat of a challenge for most humans, so we only suggest this if your cat seems reluctant to brush their own teeth or has recently lost its dentition.
However, we do not recommend using garlic on all four (adult) cats as it may create an unpleasant taste in their mouths. It may also cause coughing and fighting over who gets to brush their teeth!
Instead, try using onion skins or leeks as oral hygienics to help prevent infection and reduce symptoms.
Vitamin C use
As mentioned earlier, vitamin C is a crucial antioxidant that helps fight against harmful free radicals. When your cat is sick, having a higher level of vitamin C in his or her diet can prevent or reduce some of the damage caused by these antioxidants.
Some cats develop vitamin C deficiency as a result of an illness or during certain times of the year. If this happens, it is important to ensure your cat is adequately consuming enough to meet his or her needs.
You can achieve this by buying a brand new can of tennis tennis ball-shaped vitamin C per each feed. This can be done up to twice per week to keep up with need! Or you can buy a large bottle of regular old water to make sure your cat is drinking enough.
Either way, it will help prevent any negative side effects such as fatigue and weak bones.