When humans are cold we have several options to keep warm and/or warm the environment where we are so we can stop feeling it, but have you ever wondered what happens to our pets when they arrive low temperatures? And especially cats, which, unlike other furry animals, do not have such abundant fur or double-layered, like that of dogs, for example.
Do cats feel cold? This question and some other issues are what we are going to reveal to you in this article on our site, so that you know how to make your cat feel warm and comfortable when the cold starts and temperatures drop.
Cats are more sensitive to changes in temperature
The first thing to keep in mind is that cats are more sensitive to changes in temperature than we are, especially if they are used to living only indoors. Despite the shedding of hair that they do in autumn and that prepares them better for winter, and that they can withstand contact with surfaces with a temperature of up to 50ºC (which is why we often see our cats on top of stoves or radiators), cats feel the cold as much or even more than we do and in particular, we must be especially careful with:
- Breeds with little or no hair: some cat breeds such as the Ukrainian Levkoy, Peterbald, Sphynx or Sphynx cat, or the Siamese cat that have almost no or very little hair, are prone to feel the cold more and that is why they must be watched more in winter and provide them with extra protection against the cold.
- Sick cats: Like humans, cats that suffer from illnesses tend to have low defenses and are more prone to cold in low temperatures.
- Small or older cats: baby or young cats do not have a fully developed immune system and older cats that already have they have been weakened for more than 7 years, therefore, their defenses are also lower and they are more susceptible to illness when there are changes in temperature and felines are cold.
What temperature are cats cold at?
Although it is known what the maximum temperature that cats can withstand is (50 ºC, as we have already explained), there is no clear consensusabout how cold cats can stand. As warm-blooded animals, the ideal temperature for cats, that is, the one in which they can maintain their thermal comfort without spending energy, is between 30 and 38 ºC, so we can assume that, depending on the breed and conditions of the cat, it can begin to feel cold from 29 ºC in decline
However, not only is environmental temperature a key factor when it comes to making a cat feel cold, but humidity and humidity also play a very important role. wind , as well as whether the cat lives inside or outside the home and the places it counts for shelter.
If you are not sure if your cat is cold, in the next section we will explain how you can tell.
How to know if a cat is cold?
To know if your cat feels cold, you should look at the following:
- Seek shelter: One of the main indicators that our cat is cold is that he tries to take refuge in the warmest places in the house where curl. If you have blankets around the couch or on the bed, he's also likely to try to hide in them.
- Look for warm places: it is also likely that we will see our cat lying down near the fireplace, the radiator or even lying down to the sun.
- He has cold extremities: One of the quickest ways to know if your cat is cold is to check the temperature of his extremities, especially the tips of their ears, the tips of their tails, and the pads.
- The cat is shivering: if you see your cat shivering, he is feeling quite cold. In this case, it is important to provide heat sources so that it returns to its ideal temperature.
- Is less active: In the cold, cats can decrease their activity considerably, so you may see your cat is quieter than usual.
What if my cat gets cold?
Now you know how to know if your cat is exposed to low temperatures, but what happens if he is cold? The main consequences of cold in cats are the following:
Cold in cats
Like humans and many other animals, felines can also catch a cold and suffer from many symptoms similar to those we have, such as:
- Producing more mucus than normal from the nose.
- Have red and/or watery eyes.
- Sneezing more than usual.
- Feel listless and not very active.
In these cases, it is necessary to go to a good veterinarian as soon as possible to examine your pet and determine the appropriate treatment that you should give him before your cat gets worse. You can also take advantage of some home remedies for a cat's cold.
Hypothermia in cats
In very severe cases where the animal has been exposed to extremely low temperatures, cats can become hypothermic, the main symptoms of which are:
- Constant shaking.
- Muscular stiffness.
- Altered vital signs.
- Difficulty breathing.
In these cases, it will be essential to warm him up while we prepare to take him to the veterinarian of immediately, as not treating it correctly could cause serious damage to your body.
How to prevent your cat from feeling cold?
If you suspect your cat is cold, we recommend the following:
- Proper nutrition: although it is obvious, a proper and balanced diet will make our cat much he althier and better withstand the cold. But keep in mind that during the winter, kittens tend to exercise less and be less active than at other times of the year, and therefore if they are always inside the house, you do not have to provide them with more food or any nutritional supplement because they do not They will burn and they may suffer a problem that leads to feline obesity. On the other hand, if your feline usually walks outside the house or lives outside, it is better that you provide an extra supply of energy when you feed it so that it maintains its body temperature well.
- Turn on the heat: A good way to keep your cat from being cold when you're home is to close the windows, turn on the heat or radiators and maintain a warm and comfortable environment both for them and for us. You can also open the curtains or blinds on the windows to let in the sun's rays from the outside so that your cat can lie down and warm up while they hit it directly.
- Prepare your shelter: If you are not at home, it is recommended that you do not leave the radiators on or the heating on to avoid domestic accidents, but what you should do is prepare several strategic places so that your cat can take shelter when you are away, placing many blankets and a bed with hot water bottles in various areas of the house, especially if your pet has little or no hair.
- Cat Clothes: If your cat is very cold or has little fur, you can also choose to provide special cat clothes. If your kitten has any type of skin disease, it is advisable to consult the veterinarian first.
- Set up your home with blankets: Whether you're at home or not, apart from leaving several blankets available so that your kitty can shelter from the cold, you can also prepare your bed and your sofa with a good duvet, quilt or blanket that insulates it and makes it better able to withstand low temperatures.
