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.
A cold cat's extremities may feel cooler to the touch than normal, like the tips of his ears, tail, or nose. A cat in danger of hypothermia may become sluggish, with dilated pupils or shallow breathing. Symptoms like that may require immediate vet attention.
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.
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.
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.
Covering the cat carrier with a blanket or towel may also help keep your cat relaxed. Cats like to hide when they're frightened or uncertain and the darkness and covering provided by the blanket will make them feel safe and secure.
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.
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℉.
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.
Animal expert Jennifer Dean said: “By and large, our cats and dogs are designed for the outdoors and unless they're particularly vulnerable in terms of their health, or they're young puppies, you don't need to leave the central heating on for them when you're out of the house, even if the mercury plummets outside.
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.
Establishing what temperature is too cold for your cat varies depending on their age, breed and overall health, however the average temperature of 7°C is said to be too cold for cats, anything below this temperature can potentially lead to hypothermia.
Plus, cats like to feel warm and secure before they fall asleep, and they do a heck of a lot of sleeping – usually 12-16hrs a day! They also use the sunlight to help make up for the slight drop in body temperature that happens once they fall asleep.
Cats love warm and cozy spaces, but you don't have to keep your thermostat set to sauna-level just for them. They can't ask you to turn up the heat (although they would if they could), and it's not exactly comfortable (or healthy) for you to turn your home into a steam room.
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.
Cats can be social, compassionate and incredibly loving. And what this means is that without regular interaction or stimulation, they can easily become lonely; in some cases even a little sad.
Move him to a warm environment and, if wet, dry him and wrap him in warm towels or blankets. Use hot water bottles to help warm your cat, but make sure it's not too hot. If you can't hold it in your hands, it is too hot. Do not use an electric heating pad, as it could burn your cat, even on a low setting.
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, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it the best bedding for outdoor cat shelters. Loosely pack the straw in the shelter to the quarter or halfway point.
Because they are on alert, your cat might not want to get under the covers and dull his senses. He might be snoozing, but he's listening to what's going on around him, ready to pounce. Pet news, photos and more delivered to your inbox.
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.
Cats are crepuscular, so they're most active during times when there's low light. Cats neither prefer light nor dark, so they might sleep during the day and at night and become active when there's their ideal amount of light.
The normal temperature range for a cat is 38-39oC (which is 100.4-102.5oF). This means that they will feel warm to the touch to us, even when perfectly well. If their body temperature rises above this, they will start to feel uncomfortable at first, and then the situation can quickly become dangerous.