One day it’s in the fifties, but later in the week it’s below freezing! Who can predict these rapid changes? Hopefully you made it through the recent cold snap without any trouble, but just to be on the safe side, here are a few precautions you can take to make sure you and your kitty stay safe and warm next time.
Backup water supply
When the temperatures drop, pipes can burst. Utility companies respond the best they can, but sometimes they can’t keep up with the demand, leaving you and your kitty without a source of fresh water.
Not only is it a good idea to have an extra jug of water for drinking, but it’s also a good idea to fill up several large water bowls for your kitty. What’s more, not only can leaving a faucet on a slow drip prevent your pipes from freezing, but they can also serve as a makeshift water fountain.
Space heaters
If your building’s heat is served by baseboards or radiators, then it’s actually provided by a source of hot water. The boiler heats and distributes extremely hot water through pipes that run through the heating units. Then, the gills which surround the pipes inside the heater help to dissipate the heat into the room.
Therefore, if an important pipe breaks in your building, you could find yourself without heat, too! On nights below freezing and in high rise buildings with a lot of glazing, you’ll feel the difference in temperature really quickly. Don’t wait to buy a space heater because they will all be sold out. Buy one ahead of time in order to keep you and your cat safe and comfortable.
Blankets
If you’re hit with a triple whammy and the water, heat, and power go out, make sure you have several warm blankets on hand. You can curl up with kitty beneath the covers. It’d be a good time to read a book with a battery powered reading light, too!
Are you worried about leaving your cat alone during the next cold snap? Hire a pet sitter! Our friendly sitters can check on your cat and report back to you on how your kitty (and your apartment) are holding up in the cold weather.
Drop us a line today to learn more about our services!
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Candace Elise Hoes is a pet sitter and blogger at Katie’s Kitty. She is a graduate of the MFA Writing Program at California College of the Arts.
Photo by StockSnap on Pixabay.