We are well aware of our cat’s habits of lying like a donut, curled up in front of the radiator, or lying full length in front of a ray of sunshine, always ready to absorb all the heat possible. With all the fur they have, it might be hard to believe that cats tolerate the cold, and even though they are extremely adaptable creatures, they much prefer the heat.

Perceived temperature
When it starts to get cold, it is important to know when the temperature is too low for your cat: in particular, if you live in a house with independent heating you should avoid leaving it off all day even if you are not at home. If you keep it to a minimum, make sure your cat has blankets and a warm bed to curl up in. Consider that the ideal temperature for a cat indoors is between 18 and 23 degrees: the general rule is that if you feel cold wearing light pajamas, the same is probably true for him.

Signs of discomfort
But how do I know if my cat is so cold? Cats are very good at hiding their discomfort, so it may be tricky to understand. But there are some things you can control, such as its ends. Touch your cat’s ears, paws and tail: if they feel colder than usual, he is probably cold. Then look at where and how he sleeps: if your cat lies “curled up” , almost curled up, with his paws and tail hidden from his body, he leaves his usual area to lie down next to the radiator, or wakes up to get closer to a heat source, then this is another significant sign that your cat is cold.

The risk of hypothermia
A cat left outside for too long in winter may run the risk of hypothermia or frostbite of some parts of the body, such as the ears, tail and paws. Any temperature below 7 degrees is considered cold for a cat, however most cats understand when it is too cold and will choose to go indoors. Make sure he has the chance even if you’re not there. Early signs of hypothermia to watch out for include cold ears and paws, weakness, shivering and lack of alertness which can then lead to lethargy, slow heart rate and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from hypothermia, you should notify your vet immediately as this situation, in addition to being fatal, could have long-term effects on his health. If you are caring for a puppy, however, under three weeks of age they should never be exposed to the cold and may also need extra heat support.

Warm food
Another trick for your cat to help him cope with the cold could be to serve him food at a slightly higher temperature than usual . Cats are hunters by nature. Most cats prefer food around 35 degrees, similar to freshly killed prey. So it’s better to avoid taking a tin out of the fridge and serving it to him like that. But did you know that cats have their own way of feeling the temperature of what they eat? Sometimes you may see them put their paw in the saucer or water bowl, and “feel” what they eat with the pads under their paws. But that’s not how they do it. To measure the temperature they use the vibrissae, the whiskers, which are in effect sensory organs capable of perceiving not only vibrations, but also heat.

Flu and other diseases
Another of the risks of this season are viral diseases , such as seasonal flu, Covid and colds. Depending on the breed, your pet will be more or less sensitive to cold, wind and humidity, which could cause the first symptoms of a cold-like to appear, which generally manifests itself in a mild form: the infection lasts for a few days to a week. But if symptoms persist, it’s best to see your vet immediately to make sure it’s not feline viral rhinotracheitis or a bacterial infection. Then there is the herpesvirus type 1 which manifests itself with coughing , sneezing, runny eyes and nose, high fever, as well as loss of appetite, the calicivirus which also causes the appearance of ocular and nasal secretions, but above all mouth ulcers and significant salivation and reovirus, mainly causes tearing.