That's why you might find yourself wondering in the colder winter months, "How do I know if my cat is cold?" Signs that your cat may be too cold include shivering, puffing his fur, a cold tail, nose, and seeking warmer spots to cuddle.
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.
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.
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.
There's no mistaking that winter chill in the air, and cats can feel it too, whether they live primarily indoors or outdoors. Even if your cat loves being outside, when temperatures drop closer to 0°C, you need to bring your cat indoors to keep it warm and reduce the risk of hypothermia or frostbite.
Cats love to be warm, and that's why you'll see them sacked out in the sunshine. They crave warm and cozy spots, so if your bed is something they find comfortable, they'll likely choose you to snuggle with. The one who makes them feel safe.
Age — Kittens and older cats can't regulate their body temperature as well as adult cats, so they can get cold more easily. Type of coat — Hairless cats are more sensitive to the cold than cats with fur since they have nothing covering their skin, and they sometimes need a sweater even when inside.
Cats are naturally drawn to soft surfaces, which is why they love blankets so much. Blankets provide warmth and comfort, and cats often seek out the reassuring touch of a blanket as a form of protection from threats.
Cats Are More Likely to Cuddle When It's Cooler
It may sound a little silly, but your cat is far more likely to want to be cuddly and lie on you if your house is a little cooler. Cats are more likely to seek out your lap in the winter when they're feeling cold.
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.
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.
What can happen if my cat gets too cold in the winter? Cats suffer from hypothermia, becoming unconscious just like humans do, and they can freeze to death. An early experiment showed that cats can die if their body temperature falls below 16°C (60°F) - it should normally be about 38°C (100°F).
Simply being indoors might not be enough to keep your cat cool when the temperatures are climbing. Some veterinarians recommend leaving the AC on a moderate but still comfortable setting, such as 75–78℉.
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
Lying next to you, but not on you, doesn't mean your cat is not bonded to you. In fact, sleeping next to you means your cat trusts you enough to be in a vulnerable position while sleeping. Some cats are not comfortable sleeping on their cat parent because they prefer the security of a small buffer zone.
When your cat is curled up near you, they're simply letting you know that they feel safe. This is your feline friend's way of letting you know that they trust you.
The Belly Up pose can also help your cat regulate their body temperature. "When it's hot, sleeping on their back with their belly exposed to the air helps them cool down," says Sophie Whoriskey, veterinarian and senior writer at Floofy Doodles.
Cats are pretty well adapted for cold weather, but when the temperature dips below freezing they are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite. During periods of cold weather, cats will go looking for a warm place to hunker down. Building an outside shelter for a cat can be an inexpensive and fun project for the family.
On average, many veterinary professionals agree that when the temperature hits the freezing mark of 32 degrees, its too cold for a domesticated, indoor cat. Most, however, suggest that even 45 degrees is too cold for a cat to be outside, and recommend keeping them in.
How cold is too cold for a cat? Generally, cats are fine in cold weather as most have a thick coat. We strongly advise that anything below 7 degrees Celsius is too cold for a cat to go outside though.
Broadly, the optimum temperature is somewhere between 25°C and 30°C – based on a cat's natural body temperature, which is often between 38°C and 39°C. It's unrealistic for humans to keep their homes at the cat's ideal temperature, but luckily cats can adapt comfortably to temperatures of 15°C to 20°C in the home.
The same goes for animals like cats and dogs. When the ears are cold, this means that the body is protecting and increasing body heat to protect the insides.
The thing is, it's totally unnecessary: cats and dogs are designed to live outside, and vets say there is no need to leave the heating on for a healthy pet during the day, even in the dead of winter. I imagine some pet owners still feel guilty about shutting down the radiators before going off to work.