Do cats feel cold? Learn how to protect your cat in winter

A very common concern among cat parents is the following: do cats feel cold?

Even though it's still autumn, we're already heading towards the final stretch of the season.

And it is in June that winter, the coldest season of the year, begins. And it is at this time of year that pet parents begin to worry.

After all, everyone who has a dog or cat at home worries about their well-being.

And it was with this in mind that we had the idea of creating this content. 

In today's chat, we're going to talk about the routine of felines during this time of year, which is marked by low temperatures.

And the main point of the content is: do cats feel cold the same way we do? And what are the best ways to protect your kitty during the winter.

Below, you will learn everything you need to know about what to do when taking care of your cat.

Do cats feel cold?

Although the answer to this question seems quite obvious, many people still have this doubt. 

Quite common among people who do not have constant contact with animals such as cats and dogs or who are first-time pet parents, this type of question happens because they are furry animals.

After all, these animals are covered in fur. So they are prepared for any season, right? But that's not exactly how it works.

Of course, the layers of fur that animals have – both cats and dogs and many other wild animals – do a great job of protecting them from the cold.

Because nature is very wise, and the evolutionary process of these animals ensured that they had this resource to protect them during the coldest periods.

But still, this type of protection may not be enough for animals like cats and dogs.

So the answer is yes, cats do feel cold. 

How does a cat's temperature work?

In addition to the presence of fur, the anatomy of cats is designed to protect them from the cold.

And one of these forms of protection is the cats' body temperature. 

With a warmer body – if you have a cat at home you may have noticed this – cats' temperature is usually between 38ºC and 39.5ºC. 

This temperature level that cats have is very similar to that of dogs, but it is higher than ours.

Just notice: if you hold a cat or dog close to your body for a long time – like when they sleep against us – you will notice this heat. 

But this higher temperature does not prevent cats from feeling the effects of lower temperatures.

Quite the opposite. This factor makes these animals more sensitive to the cold and colder temperatures.

And this sensitivity only increases when the situation involves kittens or older cats. Animals during these stages of their lives tend to feel the effects of lower temperatures even more intensely.

This just proves that cats require special care during the winter.

How do you know when cats are cold?

As everyone knows, the vast majority of cats have the reputation of being independent and more distant than dogs.

This can make it difficult for new owners to identify when their cats are cold.

But don't worry, the signs are very easy to read and, after spending some time with your cat, you'll be able to understand him more and more easily.

In general, the most obvious signs that cats are feeling cold is that they start to feel slightly colder, with their paws and ears getting very cold.

Plus, your kitty's nose will be even colder than usual.

Other physical signs that cats show when they feel cold include becoming more hunched over and even somewhat stiff.

In these situations, they tend to be quieter than normal and may even look for hiding places to stay.

What can happen when cats get cold?

In addition to being uncomfortable for them, when cats are constantly cold, they are more susceptible to contracting diseases, from the common cold and flu to feline asthma and bronchitis.

This just shows the danger that low temperatures pose to your cat's health and well-being.

How to protect cats from the cold?

Now that you've discovered that cats feel cold and better understand the effects of low temperatures on felines, you must be curious to know how to protect cats from the typical winter cold, right?

About that, you can rest assured because this mission is not difficult at all.

Generally speaking, all you need to do is prepare a warm, comfortable place for him to warm up and stay calm.

If your cat is calmer and accepts wearing clothes, this could be a good option to protect him from the cold typical of seasons like autumn and winter.

Now, if your cat has a stronger temperament, is more rebellious – like the vast majority of cats – and doesn't really like the idea of wearing clothes during the colder days, that's okay.

In these cases, preparing a comfortable bed and a warm blanket should work for this type of situation.

Another important tip for this time of year – and one that should be adopted by owners all year round – is to keep your cat at home.

In colder seasons, this is a great way to protect you from low temperatures. 

And for the rest of the year, this type of care guarantees more protection for your feline, reducing the risk of your pet feline getting involved in situations that could put its health at risk, such as fights and accidents, for example.

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