If winter is drawing in for you now, you are likely laundering your cozy sweaters and shopping for a new overcoat while digging out scarves and gloves to help keep you warm while you are outside. If you catch sight of your cat while preparing your warm garments, you have probably asked yourself; do cats get cold?
Cats do get cold in temperatures less than 60 degrees. This also includes breeds with longhair and undercoats. Cats can feel temperature drops both outside and indoors.
This article will give you five reasons why cats get cold, signs to look for in a cold cat, and how you can warm them up again. We will also confirm what temperature is comfortable for cats.
Reasons Cats Get Cold
It can be worrying about finding that your cat is cold, and there are several reasons why this can happen. Below are five reasons that may explain why your cat gets cold.
The Outside Temperature Has Dropped
One reason that your cat gets cold is that the temperature outside has dropped. Many cats, especially feral or wild cats, naturally develop a thicker coat for the chillier winter months.
The winter coat is usually shed in the spring. A winter coat is nature’s way to protect cats from the cold. However, if the temperature plummets, outdoor cats will still feel very cold as there is only so much protection that the winter coat can provide.
The Heating Has Been Switched Off
If you have an indoor cat, it will be very used to the ambient temperature of your home.
In the winter months, you will likely have the heating on to maintain that. If the heating does not come on or your inquisitive cat ends up in an area not heated, like the basement, your cat will start feeling cold.
Your Cat Is Very Old Or Very Young
Senior cats, like senior humans, are susceptible to the cold because their bodies cannot produce enough of the heat needed to keep them warm, which makes them very vulnerable to the cold.
Equally, kittens are not born with the ability to regulate their body temperature. This only comes when they are a few weeks old. Young kittens rely entirely on their mother to provide heat, as well as nutrition and protection.
Your Cat’s Breed Is From A Hot Country
If you have a cat whose pedigree or origin is from a hotter climate than where you live now, they will have a thinner coat than a cat that hails from a colder country or mountainous region.
A Siamese, for example, does not have an undercoat. Their outer coat has a silky texture, allowing them to keep cool when hot, but it is not very effective in colder climates.
Persians and Norwegian Forest cats have thick coats. It is thought Persian cats come from the cold mountainous areas of Iran and Turkey. Norwegian Forest cats were bred to withstand the harsh winter temperatures of Scandinavia.
Your Cat Has No Fur
Hairless cats, such as Sphynx or Donskoy, will feel the cold because they have little or no fur to keep them insulated and warm.
If you have had to shave the fur from your cat, they will be ‘naked’ and vulnerable to the cold. Hairless cats are not outdoors cats, so it is not recommended to let them go outside and expose them to the elements.
Hairless cats can still feel chilled even when indoors, so it is a good idea to have cat sweaters for them. Just make sure your cat is supervised when wearing a cat sweater, so they do not become entangled in anything.
Is It Normal For Cats To Get Cold
It is normal for cats to get cold. While some members of the Felidae family have evolved to survive extremely cold temperatures, such as the Lynx, our domesticated feline friends have not developed in the same way. So, when it is cold, domesticated cats will feel it, and this is normal.
How Do You Know If Your Cat Is Cold
Like humans, cats can shiver when they are cold. The body generates heat by making the muscles tighten and relax in rapid succession. Warmth is created through the expanded energy. If your cat is shivering, it can be because they are trying to get warm.
You can also tell if your cat is cold by checking its ears, paws, and tail tip. As mammals fight cold temperatures, their bodies draw heat from their extremities to send it to the essential organs. If your cat’s ears, paw pads, and tail tip are cold – not cool – to your touch, it is a sign that your cat is cold.
If a cat feels chilly, it will seek a warm spot and curl itself up into a tight ball. The warm spot could be by a radiator, in fresh laundry, or your recently vacated armchair!
How Much Cold Can A Cat Tolerate
A cat’s average body temperature ranges between 100.5ºF and 102.5ºF (38.1ºC to 39.2ºC). If your cat’s temperature is less than 100ºF (37.7ºC), they run the risk of developing hypothermia. Cats with cancer or endocrine, renal, or heart disease are more vulnerable to hypothermia.
Also, if the average daily temperature falls below 45ºF (7.2ºC), there is a risk of frostbite for cats left outside for an extended period.
What Temperature Is Okay For Cats
Cats are most comfortable at temperatures around 70ºF (21.1ºC). They will be okay if the temperature is from 50ºF (10ºC), but they are not necessarily going to like it, and you will probably find your cat snuggled up somewhere cozy. Check out the handy temperature guide below.
| Temperature | Cat Comfort Level |
| 99 degrees F | Overheated |
| 70 – 98 degrees F | Hot |
| 60 – 69 degrees F | Comfortable |
| 45 – 59 degrees F | cold |
| 32 degrees F | Freezing |
Remember, while fat or obese cats can handle the cold better than skinny cats, it does not mean that they should be left outside or in cold areas; the cold will still penetrate their ‘insulation.’
Do Cats Feel Cold In Winter
Cats do feel cold in winter. If your cat is an outdoor cat, the drop in temperature during winter will certainly be noticed, and they will feel cold. If you have an indoor cat, they will similarly be affected unless you maintain an average temperature in your home year-round.
Do Indoor Cats Get Cold
Indoor cats can get cold. If it is winter and your heating is turned off, your cat will start to feel cold.
Equally, if your cat ends up in an unheated dank, damp space like a basement or garage, they will feel the change in temperature and start to get cold. This is especially true if your cat is only used to being inside the main home.
Do Cats Puff Up When Cold
Some cats do puff up when they are cold. If your cat is puffed up in a ‘meatloaf’ position, with their paws tucked underneath and their tail wrapped around them, they are likely cold.
What Does It Mean If My Cat’s Ears Are Cold
If your cat’s pinna or auricle (medical terms for the outer ear) is very cold, it can be a sign of hypothermia, frostbite, or illness.
A cat’s ears are usually a little cool to the touch, so if that is the case with your cat, there should not be any cause for concern. However, if your cat’s ears are cold and remain so, it is a sign that something is wrong, and you should consult your veterinarian. If you are unsure, always ask your veterinarian.
Do Cats Get Cold After Being Shaved
Cats do get cold if they have been shaved. Think of it as though they are naked. As humans, we wear layers of clothes to keep warm.
A shaven cat does not have any fur – its clothes – so they do not have anything to keep them warm. If you have had to shave your cat, you can keep them warm by providing warm blankets and a cat sweater.
Be sure to get cat sweaters that fit well. Too big, and it will not keep your cat warm. Too small, and it may restrict the blood flow or irritate the skin.
How Do You Keep A Cold Cat Warm
One of the best ways to keep a cat, and yourself, warm when it is cold is to cuddle. By sharing body heat, you will not only be helping each other but bonding too.
If your cat has returned chilled to the bone and cold, you can gently raise their core body temperature by wrapping them in warm, dry blankets. Try not to smother them, though.
Do not use extreme heat like hair dryers or fan heaters. Hot water bottles close by will help to heat the kitty slowly and safely. If your cat’s ears are very cold, do not massage them.
If your cat seems just a bit chilly, another method to keep them warm is to play with them. Whether it is chasing string or a ping pong ball or making a play zone out of cardboard boxes, physical and active games will help to heat your cat.
Things To Consider
There’s quite a bit to consider when it comes to cats getting cold. Here are a few things you may not have thought of that can affect your cats comfort when they are cold.
Water Source
If you have an outdoor cat, make sure that they have plenty of fresh water. In extreme temperatures, water freezes, and your cat may become dehydrated if they cannot access the water.
It is recommended to leave two or three sources of water for your cat – or the strays you keep an eye on – in a couple of sheltered spots. If one freezes, there are other sources for them to find.
Also, don’t leave water outside in metal bowls during frigid temperatures, a cat’s tongue can stick to the metal, and they may injure themselves.
Extra Food
During the winter, a cat’s appetite is likely to grow due to less natural daylight and colder weather.
This is nature telling your cat to increase their body fat. You don’t need to overfeed your cat, but a little extra nutritious and healthy food will help them develop a thick coat during the colder months.
Arthritis
Senior cats are prone to arthritis, and cold temperatures can exacerbate the symptoms. Ensure your senior cat has a clean, warm, and dry bed. It is possible to buy heated cat beds to help your senior feline friend feel more comfortable.
Car Engines
Cats will always seek out a toasty spot when they are cold. Be sure to check under the bonnet of your car before you start the engine; you may find a cat has crawled in to keep warm.
Anti-Freeze
If you use anti-freeze, be careful that you mop up any spills. Cats have been known to lick it up, and anti-freeze is toxic to cats.
The same applies to any chemicals that you may use to melt ice or clear your path. Try to use it sparingly or where you know your cat will not go.
Fleas and Ticks
Although fleas and ticks are more frequently found in the warmer months, they can still be found in the cold winter months. Maintain your regime to keep your cat flea and tick-free.
Poor Visibility
Winter months usually mean shorter daylight hours and reduced visibility. There is a greater risk of your cat being hit by a car during the winter than in the summer.
This can be attributed to poor visibility and icy roads where a car cannot stop as quickly. If possible, do not let your cat roam during the winter.
Heating System
If you have an indoor cat, but you do not want to keep the heating on all day for them while you are out, consider making cozy warm dens for them to sleep in. A towel or blanket in a sunny spot would suffice.
Shelter
If you have an outdoor cat, you can buy or make an insulated shelter from plastic and place it in a sheltered area.
Line it with straw or hay, which is better insulating material than towels because it doesn’t retain as much moisture, and put the shelter a little off the ground to conserve heat.
Be sure that it is big enough for your cat to turn around in but not so big that it will be draughty.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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