Personally, I am not a big fan of keeping cats outside, even letting them outside. Nevertheless I am perfectly aware of that this is a common practice, especially in rural areas.

During winter time though, I absolutely recommend to keep the animals inside. Cats are very seldom able to withstand the cold temperatures and dampness. When temperatures are low, domestic outdoor cats and feral cats often seek warmth under the hoods of cars. This can lead to injuries and death from fans and belts when the engine gets started.

Please make sure to check your car if a cat or even kitten is hidden in your engine compartment before you start your vehicle! Knocking on the hood normally does the trick.

Another danger is Anti-Freeze (Ethylene Glycol). This is actually a winter and summer problem. Cats (and dogs) are highly attracted to the sweet smell and taste of it, and will often sample some if left out in a container or spilled on the garage floor. Anti-Freeze is highly toxic and deadly if not treated immediately. I will lead to kidney failure within a short period of time.

Similar componets are also contained in heat exchange fluids (sometimes used in solar collectors), and in some brake and transmissions fluids.

If you have feral cats around or your kitty is used to roam outside, please make sure that eventual leaks from your car are cleaned up thorouhgly and rapidly.

Halite, the chemical salt that melts ice on sidewalks, is also poisonous. For the sake of the safety of the animals, do use - at least around your property - sand instead of chemical salt.

If you care for feral cats make sure that the water you supply for them is not frozen. Check on it frequently and replace it. Most cats don’t know how to “break ice”, and can easily get dehydrated.

Many houseplants are poisonous for your animals. Please read our article about >> Holiday Dangers.

If you have a dog, please read our article about Dangers for Dogs during Winter