Cold weather can bring with it a number of dangers for our cats. How cold is too cold for cats? Don’t believe the myths! Even in mild winters, we still have to take precautions to help our kitties thrive during the winter months. Do you know what cold weather conditions could affect your cat?
Title Photo Credit: Darrel Birkett via Flickr
Myth #1: A Longhaired Coat is Enough
Photo Credit: Paul Joseph via Flickr
The Myth: A cat’s coat is enough to keep them warm through any kind of cold weather. They live just fine in the wild, right?
The Truth: While it is true that some cats’ coats are more adapted to cold weather than others (see the Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon and Siberian), cats are just as susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite as humans are. Sadly, animal rescues here in Michigan are called on to rescue cats that are found frozen to the ground regularly throughout the winter.
If a cat’s coat gets wet while outdoors in cold weather, they are at especially high risk of developing hypothermia. A cat is said to have hypothermia when his/her body temperature drops below 100°F (37.8°C). The normal body temperature of a cat can vary with breed, but generally, it is about 102°F (38.9°C). Frostbite is most likely to occur on a cat’s paw pads and ears, but can occur anywhere on the cat’s body when that area is exposed to cold temperatures long enough.
Myth #2: How Cold is Too Cold for Cats? Freezing.
Photo Credit: Christa Gampp via Flickr
The Myth: I am perfectly comfortable when it is 50°F (10°C) outside, therefore my cat is comfortable at that temperature too.
The Truth: There isn’t really a set temperature at which the weather becomes too cold for all cats. Generally speaking, when the temperature hits freezing (32°F or 0°C) the risk for severe hypothermia and frostbite are high. However, there are a variety of factors that determine which temperatures are comfortable for a cat and which are too cold. These factors include:
- The overall health of the cat.
Is the cat young and vibrant? Older? Suffering from any diseases which could be affected by the cold weather? Cats with arthritis may be in quite a bit of pain when cold weather sets in. - Access to appropriate shelter.
Cat the cat find a place to stay dry? How about a place that can block cold winds? Sometimes it can be difficult to find an ice-less place on the ground to put those delicate paw pads. - Access to food and water.
The ability to keep a high enough amount of calories coming into the cat’s body makes a big difference on how his/her body will react to cold weather. Cats that are well fed may have an easier time dealing with cold than cats that are struggling to find a meal. Water is important too – the body can’t work properly without it! - Familiarity with their surroundings.
An outdoor cat that knows their neighborhood inside and out will know the best places to find food, water, and shelter. They will also know how to avoid dangerous things like cars. If an indoor-only cat escapes out the door during the winter. He/she may find themselves feeling quite lost and helpless.
Myth #3: The Garage is Fine in Cold Weather
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The Myth: My cat will be fine if I leave him/her in the garage overnight when it is cold outside.
The Truth: Your garage may hold some hidden dangers for your cat. Antifreeze being stored in the garage or leaking from a car is toxic to a cat if ingested. Unfortunately, antifreeze is an attractive treat to many animals and even if they don’t drink it directly, they may lick it off of their paws or fur as a part of grooming. Also, chemicals used to melt ice can be toxic to cats. These may be stored in your garage or tracked in by people or cars.
Be sure to give your car’s engine a few good knocks before starting it in the morning. If a cat gets cold overnight, he/she may seek shelter in the car’s engine or wheel coverings. It can be pretty warm in those areas!
Myth #4: My Cat Will Be Fine in the Car.
Photo Credit: Hisashi via Flickr
The Myth: Since it is not hot outside it is okay to leave the cat unattended in the car while I run into the store for a few things.
The Truth: A cold car can be just as dangerous as a hot one. If the hot weather can turn your car into an oven, then the cold weather turns it into a refrigerator. Being left in a cold car could cause a cat to become hypothermic quickly. It is best to limit your cat’s car rides to necessities when it is cold outside.
Myth #5: Feral Cats Can’t Be Helped
Photo Credit: Jean van der Sluijs via Flickr
The Myth: Since feral cats won’t come indoors during cold weather, there is no way that they can be helped.
The Truth: It may be true that you can’t provide feral cats with some of the luxuries that you can provide for your indoor cat, but there are things you can do to help them. Feral cat shelters can be made simply and inexpensively with rubber totes, styrofoam, and straw. Alley Cat Allies has free instructions and tips for making shelters. These give feral cats clean, dry places to seek shelter in cold weather. They can even use the cat’s own body heat to keep the shelter at a livable temperature.
Providing food and fresh water for these cats can help them too! Remember to change these often as water can freeze in cold weather. Heated/insulated bowls can be purchased to help keep water in its liquid form too.
How do you keep your cat warm in cold weather?
Sources & Digging Deeper
- Hypothermia in Cats – PetMD
- Winter Weather Tips – Alley Cat Allies
- Cold Weather Safety Tips – ASPCA
- Cold Weather Pet Safety – AVMA
- Outdoor & Cold Weather Safety Tips for Cats – Drs. Foster & Smith
- Pam’s Cold Weather Safety Tips for Cat Parents – Cat Behavior Associates
- How Cold is Too Cold For Our Pets? – PetMD
guys…thiz iza reel lee grate post….thanx for sharin all de info !!! 🙂
heerz two an antenna icefish kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
Some of the neighbors have been leaving out heated bowls with water for feral cats and wildlife now that we’ve reached freezing temperatures.
It is always so sad to hear about cats and dogs that are left outdoors during the harsh winter months. Great tips and I love the idea of helping feral cats stay warm. ♥
I sued to make shelters for the feral cats in my area. Boxes with straw worked really well. Of course my own cats were kept inside.
I know it’s been almost two years since your post but I’ll try for a reply anyway….That sound’s like a great idea.I tried to put up shelters in back of a place of businesses that is out of sight where I normally feed a family of ferals (some TNR, others not yet but will be soon) and one of the people that own and leases the land, a grumpy old man ( not very politically correct, sorry) came by and made me take them all away.Well, I’m extremely interested in preserving these cat’s lives I mean, after all, it’s not their fault they were born wild and I was wondering if you could tell me how I could go about suing in order to put the shelters back up.Sincerely, David (Reno,NV)
David,
I suspect that Carleen’s post contained a typo, and that she intended to say she “used” to make shelters for the feral cats, not “sued” to make the shelters. Probably an auto-correct thing.
My cats are indoor cats, but I couldn’t imagine leaving a cat or dog outside in cold weather. Thank you for sharing this important information. I know that styrofoam coolers with bedding inside can help feral cats.
Now TW feels worse about that poor kitty she saw the other day even though she fed her. The local TNR will usually provides shelters for the feral cats around here if someone alerts them where to find the cats and they can find a neighbor to let them use their property.
We belong to a group dat helps feral cats around our town – it’s a lot of work, but well worth it! Great reminders and fab post!
I wish people knew more about helping kitties when it is cold out, so I’m really glad for your post!
The weather here in NY eastern Long island has been freezing!!! Anyway temps dropped below freezing here and I live in a apartment complex so the other night I hear what I thought sounded like a baby crying and I peeked out the back door and there was a cat looking at me crying. I don’t know much about cats but I’m like I cant let this cat be out in the cold. I heard cats can live outside but this weather is brutal. I grab a can of tuna and the cat comes inside but she is hesitant. I actually had to keep the slider door open as when I shut the door she freaked out crying. so now my place Is freezing. so I play with her and I finally was able to shut the door. I ran up to the store bought frontline for fleas , I don’t think fleas can survive this cold though and kitty litter cat food… I’m not sure If this is someone’s cat or she is homeless but she is missing teeth and does not seem old, I’m going to take her to the vet next week. This cat is the most lovable cat. Its funny I open my back door to see If she still wants to be here and she just looks at me like there is no way I’m leaving . She is so cute. Can anyone tell me why she would be missing a lot of her teeth? thanks
How is she doing? Do you still have her?
Our kitties get mad if it’s colder than 70 in the house! We don’t let them outside. 🙂
Great post… It breaks my heart knowing feral cats have to be outside in the winter…
I’d never really thought about cats and the cold and some of these issues… it never gets that cold here and doesn’t snow. Interesting post!
I always check for cats in the neighborhood I know spend much time outdoors and look under our tires before driving off in the a.m.
Wonderful post. I always feel so awful for the outdoor kitties when the weather is inclement. Thank you for providing information on how shelters can be made for these cats.
Thank you for dispelling these myths. I always feel really bad for the feral and homeless cats who are outside at this time of year.
Great tips and info. My neighbour’s cat hid in or under my car last year. Luckily I checked before starting. Kilo the Pug is not a fan of going outside in the cold and nor was Nala.
Joey HATES the cold. He loves to go out in the 110° summer weather. Sadie, on the other hand, loves the cold and stays in during the summer. We have a lot of cats in our neighborhood and everyone does their best to protect them from the cold.
We are having frigid temperatures right now and the thought of any cat having to live outdoors is very distressing. Unfortunately, living in the city stray cats are common and its not unusual to not see a cat you are used to seeing come Spring. Luckily there are some people that provide shelter for them. Love Dolly
Shared! Thank you for the information. I always feel badly for the cats outside.
We stay warm by staying indoors all the time. During the heat of our hot summers, Mom Paula makes sure the AC is turned on for our comfort.
Thanks for sharing this information. I will be sure to share, surprisingly many people don’t understand these things. My cats are indoor all the time.
My cats are indoors only for many if the reasons listed! They like it warm and cozy inside, usually sitting on me. lol
People really need to stop and think sometimes… I mean, it’s ridiculous what people put both cats and dogs through. They think just because they have fur they don’t get cold or something. I have two strays that frequent my yard, every winter I pull out their shelters that I built for them, I always make sure there is water and food for them, I am always switching out frozen water for nice warm drinkable water. I know they appreciate it because they stick around, and always sleep in their houses.
Great info! I make a point to tap the hood of my car before I drive because feral cats sometimes seek shelter in car hoods.
Great post. I know I’m whining but mom does not keep the house warm enough for me in the winter and we have no sun puddles. If I’m cold in the house, I can’t imagine how bad it is outside for the poor ferals in our community. There are people who feed them but I don’t think they give them shelters.
Great post! Athena hates the cold (unlike me). She will sit near the radiator to keep warm, or seek out my lap. At night she sleeps snuggled up against me, normally against my legs.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Appreciate this and sharing to social media, with gratitude!
Even here in California, animals die in the winter because people do not want to bring them indoors. As for dogs, they’re too lazy to potty-train them, or whatever excuse – there is none!
Very good information. Our 6+ YO F rescue seems not too fond of very cold or very hot weather anyway (beginning our 1st winter with her). She will stay out for long periods in moderate weather, but not for long at all in the cold—so far. Mainly, though, it’s good to find this information without also being admonished for letting the cat out to begin with!
Reading your first myth reminds me immediately of a friend’s who thought that a cat’s fur is good enough to keep it warm. I’m so going to share this post with her. Thank you for such a helpful post, i hope you’ll keep writing facts like this in the future!
Great information, thank you. I have 3 ferals outside (momcat, dadcat and 1 10-month old kitten); mom and kit are fine with being petted by me and my husband, but dadcat is totally feral. All have been “taken care of” by our local TNR folks, and I have 3 cat houses in my barn for them (rubbermaid containers, insulation and lots of straw). However, they prefer to hunker down in the loft of our milkhouse, even though most of the roof is gone. There’s a huge pile of straw up there and one of hte cat houses, but I cannot force them to go to the other cat houses. They are very independent, and will do whatever they want. It does break my heart to see the kitten (who is bigger than his mom) outside meowing, but he won’t come near the house. I also have 5 cats inside who will not let another “stranger” in. I hate winter in PA….
I googled this three days ago and found the first pages to say it depends without giving a number but hinting at 32F. Two days ago the first of the two wild adolescent cats that I feed died at low 35F. Last night the second one died at low 38F both dry. Over 40F the somewhat young cats have survived fine for weeks just over 40F. So the number/answer to the question is below 40F 1 year old cats die. The wild cats that may be about 2 years old survived.
The 38F cat returned from the dead covered in brambles. So the number for Cold survival appears to be between 35F and 38F. Not too far off from the 32F from google.
My neighbor told me that the cat that died at 35F was struck by a car so I’m afraid I don’t have empirical evidence to answer the question that wasn’t answered. If someone else has a temperature number where cats have died I want to know it.
Great topic to read. I cleared my myth by this post. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve done TnR for two male strays. Irresponsible neighbors… I keep an unheated K&H cat house outside on my porch that has a self warming heating pad. I also have a storage bin that I converted into a 2nd cat house in case they get pissy with each other. Lol