Do Cats Like Air Conditioning – Things To Consider

When the temperature reaches a certain degree, you’re probably reaching for the dial on your air conditioner. You might even blame it on your cat and say that you need to turn your air conditioner on so early in the summer because your cat will feel too hot. But you start to wonder this: do cats like air conditioning? 

Cats like air conditioning because it keeps them cool. Air conditioners pose a minimal health risk for your cat and instead prevent your cat from overheating.

Cats can tolerate surprisingly high temperatures, but that doesn’t mean prolonged exposure to those temperatures is suitable for your cat. Therefore, air conditioning can be very beneficial in keeping your cat cool. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about air conditioning and your cat, whether your had has long fur or no hair at all. 

Does Air Conditioning Bother Cats

Air conditioning will bother cats if the air is blowing directly on them.

One thing my cats hate the most is when a gust of air hits them. The gusts can come from the window outside, a fan, my breath, or even our air conditioner when it is on.

The gust of air from your air conditioner won’t hurt your cat, but it could annoy them. You might even notice that your cat is crouching down on the ground to get out of the shot of air. 

The best way to stop your air conditioner from blowing directly onto you and your cat is to point the air vents at the ceiling, which will allow it to bounce down in the room without feeling like a gust of wind. 

Is Air Conditioning Good For Cats

Air conditioning is good for cats because it keeps them cool and comfortable in your home. 

Some people believe the misconception that air conditioning can make pets, whether cats or dogs, sick. I’m not sure how this belief began, but rest assure that it is very unlikely that your air conditioner will make your pet sick if the filters in the air conditioner are clean.

Conversely, air conditioning is very good for cats because it reduces the risk of your cat overheating in the summer. Plus, your air conditioner will keep most of your house a cool, even temperature. Even if your cat feels a little too chilly, it can move away from the air conditioner unit. 

Are Cats Scared Of Air Conditioners

Some cats may be afraid of air conditioners, especially if they are loud.

When a breeze hits a cat, they may often try to “duck” under the air and squish themselves to the ground. However, this silly habit does not necessarily mean that your cat is afraid of whatever is making the breeze.

Your air conditioner might be different. Air conditioners, especially large or old models, can be loud when they kick on and off. If your cat is not used to the noise, then it may scare your cat. Air conditioners can gurgle too, and if your cat has never heard a noise like that before, they may not like it. 

Unfortunately, there is little you can do as an air conditioner owner here. Since you’ll probably have your air conditioner on for a few months, your cat should get used to it eventually. 

What Temperature Can A Cat Tolerate

Cats are hardy animals that can tolerate a profound change of temperatures, but extreme hot or cold could lead to severe consequences.

When thinking about cold temperatures and cats, a good rule of thumb to remember is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature dips below freezing, you should provide your cat with warm shelter if outside.

Thankfully, most of us don’t have to worry about our homes reaching this temperature. 

In the other direction, cats can deal with heat surprisingly well as long as the temperature is not over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, most people keep their homes below 100 degrees, even in the summer.

Do Cats Get Cold Easily

Cats, especially short-haired or hairless cats, get cold easily.

Cats have different kinds of fur. If you have a long-haired cat, you’ve probably caught him on his back with his legs spread open. Since long-haired cats have so much fur, they rarely feel cold. This is true even in the summer. 

Short-haired and hairless cats are a different story. Let’s talk about your short-haired cats first.

Short-haired cats also have fur, though it may not be very long. This means that the fur will still keep your cat warm, so your cat won’t get cold easily. A short-haired cat sleeping in front of the air conditioner will probably get cold eventually.

Your hairless cat is the one you should be most worried about because they have no fur to keep them warm. Hairless cats can get cold easily. An excellent option to keep your hairless cat warm is a heated bed or cat perch in a window with a lot of sunlight. 

Do Persian Cats Feel Cold In AC

Persian cats have long, thick fur, so there is less of a chance that your Persian cat will feel cold in AC.

Most Persian cats have long and thick fur, which means that your Persian cat will usually feel cold, especially in the summer when the temperature is higher than usual. 

You don’t need to worry about your Persian cat getting cold when the AC is on unless your Persian cat prefers to sleep in the direct blast of the air conditioner. Even then, I’m sure their fur will go far in protecting them from the cold air. 

Can Cats Survive Without AC

Cats can survive without air conditioning.

On some of the hottest days of the year, you probably find yourself asking how people (and their animals) live without air conditioning. Although it might not be a pleasant experience, people can live without air conditioning. And so can their cats.

A home without air conditioning in the summer can pose a risk to a cat. Cats can suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration in a sweltering house, which is similar to what may happen to a cat if they are outside in the heat for too long.

If you’re operating without air conditioning, it is essential to remember to leave cool water out for your cat.

Do I Need To Leave The AC On For My Cat

Leaving the air conditioning on for your cat will make your cat more comfortable, but leaving your AC on is not required.

You might be tempted to leave the air conditioning on for your cat, even if you’re not going to be home to enjoy the cool air. Leaving your air conditioning on when you leave will ensure that your cat is cool and comfortable, but it is not necessary if you only use your air conditioner when you’re home. 

Just like someone who does not have any air conditioning, you need to make sure your cat has cool water to drink. Of course, your cat should have water regardless of your air conditioner is on or not. Just pay meticulous attention to the water to make sure it does not get too warm.

Final Thoughts

If you’re worried that your air conditioner might be too cold for your cat, let’s talk about some other options to manage how cold your cat is.

As previously mentioned, the easiest way to diffuse cold air from your air conditioner is to change the angle of the vents. You can point them at the ceiling or the floor rather than straight out into your room. This will help you and your cat!

You can also use fans rather than an air conditioner for as long as you can. Fans will still circulate the air in your home or apartment, but it won’t do as much to cool down your house.

If you don’t want to give up the cool air from your air conditioner, consider making your cat a spot in a warmer spot in the house. If you don’t have air conditioning in the spare bedroom or the dining room, give your cat a bed to sleep there to be out of the coldest part of the house. You can also give your cat a heated cat bed, which will keep them even warmer when they get in it. 

Ultimately, you shouldn’t worry too much about your cat, whether they are long-haired or short-haired. If your cat starts to feel too cold, he will figure out where to go to warm up, whether that is leaving the room, finding a cat bed, or basking in the sunlight. Cats know how to keep themselves comfortable even better than humans, so crank up the air conditioning to the temperature that makes you most comfortable.