Surviving Chicago winters with an arthritic cat?

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sarahhalen

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Hi friends,

I'm relocating from sunny Miami to Chicago.  I love Chicago but the winters I've heard are terrible.  My beautiful feline is 15yrs old and has arthritis; therefore I'm scared of whether the cold climate will hurt her. :-/

I realize that she'll be inside but is there anything else I can do to ensure she stays comfortable (humidifiers, etc)?  I know the heater will be running full blast, but what else do I need to do?  I've never lived "up north", so I have no idea what makes arthritis feel better (warm/moist or warm/dry?).  

If anyone who has survived a northern winter with an arthritic cat could reply back with some advice on what I should do, I would greatly appreciate it! 

Thank you!!
 
rubysmama

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I don't have any advice or suggestions on how to help your kitty adjust to the Chicago winter.  I don't even have any suggestions for helping you adjust !!!


If she were an indoor/outdoor cat it would be more worrisome, but since she is indoor only, that seems like it will make it easier for her.

Perhaps either ask her current vet or her new vet in Chicago for suggestions.  And I would suspect pretty much anything (keeping thermostat up/ humidifier) that helps you will help her.  Maybe a heating pad?

Good luck to both of you!
 
stephenq

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sarahhalen said:
 
Hi friends,

I'm relocating from sunny Miami to Chicago.  I love Chicago but the winters I've heard are terrible.  My beautiful feline is 15yrs old and has arthritis; therefore I'm scared of whether the cold climate will hurt her. :-/

I realize that she'll be inside but is there anything else I can do to ensure she stays comfortable (humidifiers, etc)?  I know the heater will be running full blast, but what else do I need to do?  I've never lived "up north", so I have no idea what makes arthritis feel better (warm/moist or warm/dry?).  

If anyone who has survived a northern winter with an arthritic cat could reply back with some advice on what I should do, I would greatly appreciate it! 

Thank you!!
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You can talk to your vet about supplements and possibly pain meds if you haven't already.  Just like your home i florida isn't sweltering (AC) your home in chicago shouldn't be cold because you have heating etc.  There are plug in electrically heated cat beds you can buy online that she might like as well.  The winters are harsh, likely to be harder on you than on her since you will have to go outside.
 
stephanietx

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You can purchase a pet heating pad that will keep her nice and warm, but won't burn her.  Our kitties LOVE the K&H heating pads we have.  They all have covers, but I still wrap them in a layer of fleece or a hand towel.  Here's one from Amazon.  They have different sizes and styles.  They are pricey, but so worth it.  I've had 2 of my heating pads for about 8 years now and they're still working fine.


You can also give a supplement such as Cosequin once or twice a day to help with movement and ease arthritis pain.  It's a capsule, but I open it up and sprinkle the contents in wet food.  Mix and serve!
 
happybird

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My arthritic cat loves her heating pad in the fall and winter. It really makes a difference for her. I can tell by how she moves- it is much less stiff after she gets up from her pad.
 
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