There are a few things to keep in mind if you are concerned that your cat may be cold. First, do cats get cold? The answer is yes, cats can get cold. Just like humans, when the weather dips below a certain temperature they can start to feel the effects.
Cats are very resilient creatures. Generally speaking they are very good maintaining the correct body temperature. However, they can still get themselves in trouble if they are exposed to very cold conditions and there are a few things to keep in mind if you are concerned that your cat may be cold.
Don’t all cats regulate their own temperature?
How well they can combat the cold can largely depend on the breed. Different cat breeds have different types of fur some of which are better at keeping out the cold than others. A healthy coat will not allow air in but also protect from getting wet due to rain for example.
Their coat is not the only thing that can determine how well they deal with the cold and can also depend on the age of the cat as well as their overall heath status.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you are concerned that your cat may be cold. First, do cats get cold? The answer is yes, cats can get cold. Just like humans, when the weather dips below a certain temperature they can start to feel the effects.
So how can you tell if your cat is feeling the cold?
Luckily, there are some obvious signs that you can be on the lookout for that will tell you that your cat is feeling the chill.
- If you are feeling the cold then it’s likely that they are too. We are not so different when it comes to temperature and a cat’s normal body temperature is a little higher than that of a human so if you are feeling the chill, there is a good chance they do too.
- If your cat is very cold, you may notice that they will be shivering or trembling. If you notice this make sure you take action immediately and provide them with a cosy spot where they can warm up.
- Curling upon your bed, couch or near a heater. Cats will naturally seek out warm spots when their temperature falls. They will normally sort themselves out by finding a warm spot and generally curling up and taking a nap.
- You may also find that they will avoid cold surfaces if they are feeling the cold. Tiles or concrete floors can get very cold and cats will avoid these if they are cold.
- During the night when heaters are off, your cat may jump on your bed. They will curl up against you to get warm from you. In some cases such as with our cat Mimi, she will climb under the sheets when she is really cold and place her paws up against me.
Can cold affect my cat?
Specially with older cats, you might notice that they are not as active during the colder months. This is due to stiff joints that is made worse by cold weather. Generally they will look a bit more lethargic. This is not because they are tired but because it takes them a little longer to warm up and get those joints loosened up.
What can I do to help my cat keep warm?
What should you do if you think your cat might be too cold? One of the best things you can do is provide them with a warm and cosy place that they can retreat to and control their body temperature. This is really not that hard. There are cat beds both open and enclosed that your cat will love. However, you don’t have to spend any money to provide your cat with a warm bed that they will love. A simple cardboard box on its side with a soft blanket will do very nicely. Cardboard provides excellent insulation against the cold and on very cold nights your cat will love you if you place a blanket that that you have warmed up in the dryer.
Another thing you can do to help your cat keep warm during the colder months is to make sure they are eating enough food. A healthy diet combined with plenty of good quality food can help keep them warm from the inside out. If your cat seems like it is shivering or huddled up in a corner trying to stay warm, it might be time for a trip to the vet. Your vet can help determine if there is an health problem causing your cat to feel cold
If they do get cold there are a few things you can do to help them. It is mostly about their fur and the surrounding environment which needs to be taken into consideration when trying to keep your cat warm.
Conclusion
As long a you provide your cat with a warm place to sleep and a good diet, they will be well prepared to deal with the cold weather.
Cats do get cold, but for the most part they are well equipped to handle it but, there are some things you can do to keep your kitty stays nice and cozy when winter hits!
