Check their ears, paws and tail
If your cat is cold, their extremities may start to feel cold to the touch. So have a feel of your cat's ears, paws and tail and if these body parts feel cold, then chances are your cat is cold.
Indoor cats can occasionally get cold, too: "Having a cozy place for them to snuggle up with a blanket or in an insulated cat bed can help to prevent this," says Zay Satchu, DVM at Bond Vet in New York City.
According to PetMD, a cat's normal body temperature falls between 99.5° and 102.5° Fahrenheit. If his temperature dips below 99, your cat is at risk of mild hypothermia.
Most cats have a dense hair coat, which traps air and acts as very effective insulation. It is possible – in fact, normal, on a cold day – for your cat to feel cold when you stroke their fur, due to the cold layer of air on top, but actually be quite toasty underneath.
Blankets provide warmth and comfort, and cats often seek out the reassuring touch of a blanket as a form of protection from threats. Cats may be more relaxed and less stressed when covered by a blanket, which can help them get better sleep.
How cold is too cold? Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° - This is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
What temperature do cats prefer? Cats thrive in consistent, comfortably warm environments with the option to cool off when necessary.
What NOT to put in your outdoor cat shelter. Don't use blankets, towels or folded newspaper; they absorb body heat and chill cats who are lying on them. Forego hay too, which may irritate noses and cause allergic reactions.
Warm and cosy bedding
A soft bed and plenty of blankets can provide your cat with plenty of warmth during the winter. Hammock beds that attach to a radiator or a covered igloo bed can give your feline friend a cosy and snuggly place to sleep.
In general, all cats will begin to feel cold when the temperature goes under 7-8 degrees °C. Although this species prefers warmth, it can do well with an indoor temperature of at least 10-15 degrees. So make sure that you set your thermostat accordingly, even when you're out of the house.
At around 12 – 15 degrees most pets will probably be quite safe. At 10 degrees, you need to keep an eye on them as it can be potentially unsafe depending on their age, general health, and breed.
Cats can most definitely get cold at night if the ambient temperature drops below 60 and 70°F. Anything below 45°F at night is too cold for your cat.
You may notice your cat sleeping more during the colder months – this is likely to be because cats will be using their natural instinct to store their energy and conserve fat reserves for the winter. They may also sleep more due to changes in your routine.
Cold weather can weaken your cat's immune system if she does not have access to proper shelter and nutrition, which would then put her at increased risk of contracting a cold. But for a healthy cat who is well cared-for, cold weather does not pose a risk for this illness.
So, do cats get cold at night? Cats can get cold at night if the ambient temperature drops below 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The ideal body temperature for cats is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F (38.1 to 39.2 degrees C). Temperatures below 45 degrees F (7.2 degrees C) are too cold for most cats at night.
Some veterinarians recommend leaving the AC on a moderate but still comfortable setting, such as 75–78℉. Leaving the fan on without the AC isn't enough. Fans don't cool cats (or dogs) nearly as well as they cool humans.
Cats often sleep curled up in a ball, with nose to tail. Cats like to be warm, and this shape helps them retain body heat. This position also protects vital organs in their abdomen by surrounding them with less essential and more resilient muscle and bone.
Straw Shelter Bedding
Straw is the best bedding — it repels moisture and provides insulation, making it ideal for keeping cats warm and comfortable all winter. Be sure that you buy straw, which is bedding, and not hay, which is feed.
“Cats don't like to be touched in particular places for two main reasons: sensitivity and an instinctual need to protect themselves,” Geller explains. When it comes to the belly, the hair follicles are hypersensitive to touch. Petting a cat's stomach “can be overstimulating to the point of being painful.”
Provide Plenty of Shade and Cool Surfaces for Your Cat
Cats will seek out dark, cool spaces when it's hot. They will do their best to regulate their own internal temperature, so providing them with safe options is the best way to keep cats cool in the summer without AC.
One thing is for sure: Many cats love to snuggle up to the radiator, follow the warming rays of the sun or just snuggle under your cosy warm blanket. Why cats like warmth so much is naturally. Freezing also means loss of energy.
Cold air inflames lungs and inhibits circulation, increasing the risk of respiratory conditions, such as asthma attacks or symptoms, worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and infection.
What do the independent experts say? The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees celsius during winter. And The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy and well-dressed people.
What Is An Unhealthy Room Temperature? For babies, pets, and the elderly, or for those who suffer from respiratory, lung, or heart disease, anything below 68 degrees and anything above 74 degrees for a prolonged period of time can cause serious health concerns.