While I do know my share of people who take their cats for walks (heck, my own parents used to own a Siamese that went hiking and backpacking with them), even the most die-hard of cat walkers tend to stay indoors when the temperature starts dropping and the snow starts falling. Even if you keep your cat indoors all winter, there are still some actions you can take to keep your kitty safe, healthy, and happy.

First, make sure your cat has a warm place to sleep. During the summer, cats will curl up in just about any patch of sunshine. During the winter, cats appreciate being provided with a spot that is warm and cozy, even when the sun isn’t shining. As a child, I have clear memories of my parents setting a heating pad to a low temperature and plugging it in near where the cat liked to sleep. On cold days, the cat would leave the heating pad to eat and play. And that was about it. Another great option is to provide your cat with a covered cat bed. A covered bed simultaneously helps to keep your kitty warm while allowing them to feel safe (by being hidden) while sleeping.

Second, if you have an indoor/outdoor cat, ensure the cat can come and go at will. Most cats will come inside the moment the weather turns foul, as long as they have a cat door or some other opening with which they are familiar. Even so, consider keeping an indoor/outdoor cat inside during heavy storms or when the temperature dips below freezing. Keep your cat from getting a serious case of cabin fever by engaging in one or two play sessions a day, and ensuring that your cat has an assortment of home-alone toys to play with when you’re out and about.

And third, be sure to take a minute each morning and bang loudly on the hood of your car. According to the ASPCA, indoor/outdoor and stray cats have been known to sleep under the hoods of cars (a warm engine means a warm cat). If the cat is under the hood when the engine is started, the fan belt will seriously injure or kill the cat.