How to Tell if Your Cat is Cold?

As a loving cat owner, you certainly want what’s best for your feline friend. That's why you might find yourself wondering in the colder winter months, "How do I know if my cat is cold?"
When the temperature outside drops, you probably pull out your blankets and sweaters to stay warm. But have you thought about your kitty's comfort?
It is possible that while you are warm and toasty, your cat is dealing with a bit of a chill in the air.
Even indoor cats, shielded from harsh outdoor elements, may find the indoor conditions a tad too chilly for their liking. If you’re wondering how to tell if your cat is cold or not, we’re here to help! In this video, we'll talk about the signs that indicate your cat is cold, and what you can do to keep them warm.

Keep in mind that cats are more sensitive to temperature changes than us, especially if they are used to living only indoors. In particular, special care must be taken with breeds with little or no hair, cats with compromised immune system, young kittens, and senior cats.
What Temperature Do Cats Prefer?
Most people tend to be comfortable at room temperature, which is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius, but what temperature do cats like for their comfort? Much higher.
As descendants of ancient desert animals, domestic cats are hard-wired to thrive in toasty climates. According to a study published in the Scientific World Journal, cats prefer temperatures of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees Celsius.
Cats love warm and cozy spaces, but you don't have to keep your thermostat set to sauna-level just for them.
You can offer them heated beds, boxes, cozy beds with blankets, or even warm water bottles to ensure your cat has warm options in safe areas.
And now that we provided our foundation for this topic, let’s talk about 6 signs that indicate your cat is cold.
Seeking out warm spots around the house.
One of the main indicators a cat is cold is when we see them take refuge in the warmest area in the home. Are you noticing your cat is always lying in front of the fire, next to the radiator, or even in the sun’s rays? By positioning themself near heat, they’re attempting to boost their body temperature and feel more comfortable.
They always want to cuddle
If your cat is permanently fixed to your lap, it’s fair to say they’re trying to get warm.
When temperatures drop, cats seek body heat as a way to maintain their warmth. If your feline friend becomes unusually affectionate, curling up on your lap, or sleep against you more frequently, it's likely their way of absorbing heat.
In a household with multiple cats, you might observe them huddling together or sleeping in close proximity to share warmth.
Curling up in a ball
Another way to check if your cat is cold is to observe their body language. When a cat curls up in a ball with their feet tucked under their body, the animal can preserve body heat. While this position may be how you often find your cat sleeping, it could also be a sign that they’re cold. Likewise, if your furry friend tucks all her feet up underneath and curl up into a loaf position, it's a telltale sign that it is feeling cold. The loafing position is great for preserving body heat and energy.
Shivering.
Just as we start to shiver when we get too cold, so do our cats. Shivering is the body’s automatic response to the cold, a way of elevating its temperature by quickly tightening and relaxing muscles.
Cold to the Touch
Another way to check if a cat is cold is to check the temperature of their extremities especially the tips of their ears, the tip of their tail, and their paw pads. If these areas feel cold to the touch, they are probably uncomfortably chilly since these parts of the body lose heat first when the temperature drops.
Lethargy
Finally, cats also significantly decrease their activity levels when they are cold so it is likely you will see them resting even more than usual.
What happens if your cat is cold?
The primary risks associated with cats exposed to low temperatures include the development of a cold or even hypothermia. If you observe signs such as red or watery eyes, frequent sneezing, and a noticeable decrease in their activity levels, it could indicate that your cat has caught a cold.
In more severe cases, if a cat has been exposed to extremely low temperatures, there's a risk of them developing hypothermia.
How to tell if your cat is too hot
Cats can also be sensitive to high temperatures. if your home is too warm for your cat, they may exhibit signs of discomfort. Common indicators include seeking out shady areas and spending more time sleeping in them. They may also lie flat on a cool surface (such as floor tiles) to cool down. Cats may also excessively groom themselves when they are hot, as the saliva evaporating from their fur can have a cooling effect. And remember, a cat who drinks more water than usual may be too hot.

[robertmaybeth]

1. Seeking out warm spots around the house.
2. Wants to cuddle more often
3. Curling up in a ball
4. Shivering
5. Check the temperature of their extremities
6. Lethargy
7. IS THE CAT TOO HOT? Seeking out shady areas, lying flat, excessive grooming.

[annabrown]

MY CATS SLEEP WITH ME WE KEEP EACH OTHER WARM WITH LOTS OF BLANKETS AND LOTS OF LOVE ❤❤

[jesusbeloved]

My Daisy seemed chilly to me, so I got her a comfy bed with a cover so she could burrow inside. I told her it was hers and not one of the dogs. She understood immediately. At night I put it by the floor register. That’s where she is now; curled up, comfy and warm.😊

[incogskd]

My Nehemiah seeks out the warmest spots here. We are in the mountains of Idaho so we are in an extreme cold climate. I leave the thermostat in my bedroom at 70 and also run a space heater in the winter. In addition, he has a heated bed which activates when he gets into it. He loves his heated bed. I always give him options in this climate where he can find warmth.

[joerubi]

This is a heartwarming video to say the least. We can never take cats for granted. They need love just like little babies. 😺

[traceytansley]

My old persian cat with sparse fur patches, suddenly started laying beside our heating vent when our winter temps dropped. She's an indoor only cat. I dug out her old tiny dog sweator and right away she stopped sleeping near the vent and became more content and moving about the house again as normal. She got used to the sweater right away and seems to know it helps.

[pyr]

I made a warm, cozy spot for my fur baby girl near a window so she can watch the birds and squirrels. I have several spots ready for her to use . This particular spot is her fave. I'll be getting more heating pads for her.😊❤

[dianewhittemore]

Tucked in paws! Thank you. I honestly never knew.

[ira]

My cat seeks me out when's he's cold. Either curls in my arms when I'm at my desk or curls up in my back during the day and at night he sleeps next too me curled up under the blankets.

[blkbrn]

I keep my house around 70. Outdoor temps right now are around 30 to 50, depending on the day. My cats beg me to open the window so they can lay on the sill even when it is 30 and the wind is blowing.

[dianewhittemore]

My girl has never been sick. Thank goodness.

[GothGirlWorld]

Even though I'm in poverty I had to turn on the heating unit because my cats were cold. I was trying to cut back on the power bill but seeing them chilly wasn't an option for very long.

[weakanklesfornamjoon]

I drape a fleece throw blanket from the top of the sofa to the seat as my cat’s blanket fort. She prefers to nap underneath it most of the day. It gets very toasty in there so she’s comfortable.

[MsAussieSheila]

She hops under the blankets.

Does on winter nights.
Does not on summer nights.

Pretty simple.

Heat is more of an issue actually. It gets very very hot here (mid 40's) and whilst I prefer the heat, the only time the AC goes on is when the cat is struggling with the heat.

[Peggy]

I use pet heating pads and lambswool mats. Of course, they prefer piling on me and I usually have three of them piled on me at once.

[rainbowmoodies]

I keep my house at 60° year round and have warm little nests for my kitty to snuggle up in. That way it is comfortable for both of us.

[royalfelineandtracygrant]

My house is never room temperature except for in hot summers. I live in a very cold place where the average temperature is in the fifties. My cats actually look at me like “what have you done?” When it gets in the seventies or high sixties. Lately we’ve been lucky to get the house into the fifties and the cats are being even more cuddly. I’d say they are bathing in sunlight more but they do that a lot even when it’s not cold 🤷‍♀️ they have many boxes to curl up in as we have a box corner just for the cats. They are indoor cats and always give me a look if it ain’t the fifties or sixties.

[missharry]

My cat's current favourite place is a cardboard box that some shoes were delivered in that he found on the floor just under the hot-water radiator in my bedroom. It even has a slightly overhanging lid. He only just fits.

[GeoffreyPenner-jpmk]

This isn't an across the board correct thing. I've had three cats in my lifetime that actually preferred cool even chilly places. I will note that each of these has been of the thick long hair variety like Persian, Himalayan, etc. My current cat actually loves to sit or lay outside when it's snowing ...often requiring me to make her come inside in regular intervals so she doesn't get too cold and not pay attention.

She never hangs out around heater vents when it's chilly, she does not like being covered up by anything ever lol. She sleeps with me but not often on me where she'd get warmth...she just likes sleeping near me on the bed lol.

I've had her checked just to be sure she wasn't dealing with an internal temperature control issue. Nope, perfectly normal and healthy I'm told....though I strongly contend the normal part lol. She's pretty goofy.

Ultimately while content like this is GENERALLY accurate it's important to remember that all cats are different. And not every cat has the same preferences. ALWAYS be observant and careful to note what your cat specifically responds to and enjoys. One might prefer sunbathing and near 90 degree heat....another might prefer cool dark spots to relax. One might prefer to cuddle with you under covers, another might prefer being unrestrained by covers.

Ultimately it's this process of observing and responding to your unique cats unique expectations that will help you live in unity with your feline

[margaretjiantonio]

I have 3 cats. At night they all have their special places to sleep. Ususlly on my bed next to me.