Do you know the fact that cats are sun worshippers? They feel happy when they are warm and cozy. Unfortunately, they cannot judge when the temperatures of their body rise. It is our duty and responsibility to know what temperatures do cats like.
Everyone wants to know the exact temperature, which their cats can sustain when they sleep at homes or leave their cats alone in the house.
Some of the usual signs that cats show when they are hot are sweaty feet, drooling, and panting, which can easily be determined. But many times, it’s difficult to judge their conditions. Let us understand all the facts in a nice way.
what temperatures do cats like? It Depends on Cats
The answer to such a question regarding what temperatures do cats like depends on various factors. Let us discuss all the things in detail.
Breed :
Cats possessing long hairs can tolerate winter in a better way than short-haired cat breeds. Take an example of the Siberian cat that is exceptionally expert to survive in cold weather conditions and the Burmese that like to live in hot weather conditions. Many cat breeds such as Norwegian forest cats and Maine Coon have thick furs on their paws that make them easy to walk in snow without getting cold.
Age :
The age of the cat is also a crucial factor in deciding their temperature sustainability. Kittens need Warmth and can even suffer from hypothermia if exposed to cold weather. Kittens usually are weak and also have less fur on them. They need at least six months to prepare themselves to tackle cold weather conditions. However, old cats are experienced and have witnessed many types of weather their entire time. They have developed a better immune system to fight with such temperature changes.
Size :
The smaller is your cat; the less will be its capability to retain heat. Larger breeds of cats have a functional heat retention capacity. You should also know the fact that if your cat is, then you have to make an extra effort to keep their Warmth as they do not have any fats covering their body to save them from cold conditions. On the other hand, fat cats can keep themselves warm, even in severe weather conditions.
Health :
If your cat is suffering from thyroid problems, then you have to pay special attention to keep them warm. The sickness of cats makes their immune system weak and may require external sources to keep them warm.
Analyze Your Home Too :
You should know the fact that your cat is smart enough to tolerate changes in temperature. You can witness them going near the pool or in bathrooms to keep themselves cold or near your kitchen of the fireplace when they feel cold. When your feline feels cold, they try to acquire a higher location of your house so that they can witness the Warmth coming from sun rays. Many cats also climb a tree of your garden to enjoy the sunrays when the temperature is cold. Make sure the areas where you feel the temperature changes and adjust your cat’s need accordingly.
Care in Winters :
Now, if you are a proud owner of a healthy longhaired feline, you do not have to worry much in winters. Keeping them in your house is the easiest and safest way to save them. But in case your cat is sick or unhealthy, maintain the temperature between 60 to 68 degrees, for them, inside your house. For short-haired cats, you may need to keep the temperature setting between 78 and 80 and make sure they do not go out in such weather conditions. You can make their house well insulated from inside by putting some mattresses and blocking the gates of the house so that a minimum amount of cold air can pass inside.
This is perhaps the best way to keep your cat safe from extreme cold weather conditions. Make sure that the food and water you feed to your cat is warm and do not cold or frozen as it can increase their troubles.
How to Deal With Outdoor Cats in Winters?
Outdoor cats may need shelter if your area is witnessing extreme cold conditions. For such outdoor cats, providing shelter is essential because that can decide their survival or death. You can keep such cats in an area where you rarely visit such as the garage, barns, or even your porch. You have to make sure that they are safe from rain, snow, and a cool breeze. Keep sure that the entrance of such an area is smaller, so that warm air is trapped inside. Offer them some food to keep their body warm and secure.
How Can Good Cats handle Warmth?
In case you are wondering what exactly is the ideal temperature for cats, you should know that cats enjoy being in hot temperatures. This is important to understand that the temperature around 100F is the best for keeping your cat happy. It is also the fact that the cat keeps themselves fresh if the temperature rises above these limits by licking their fur and cooling them by its saliva. Apart from that here are some of the tips that you can use to maintain the optimum temperature for cats
- By supplying them with cold water
- Offering them with different ice treats
- You can also purchase a cooling mat for your feline
- Keeping your air conditioner ON
- Laying a wet towel or cloth by the window so that the hot air coming from outside becomes cool while coming inside the house
- Arranging their bed of the ground so that the cold air can circulate beneath their bed.
These were some of the answers and some of the practical ways to what temperatures do cats like and some tips to successfully maintain cat room temperature.
How to Detect if Your Cat is Overheating?
There are many symptoms that your cat will show by which you can easily detect such signs. Some of the common ones are
- Panting and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increase in pulse and heartbeat
- Struggling to take a breath so breath with their mouth
- Body temperature exceeds 105 F
- Lethargy and loss in appetite
- Redness in their tongue, gums, and mouth
So in case you see such symptoms in your cat, you should immediately take some proper steps. Make sure to keep them hydrated and, if possible, bathe them for instant cooling of their body.
Do Not Let Your Cat Fell Depressed
As a cat owner, you have to keep your cat comfortable. Many cats get depressed in extreme weather conditions, either cold or hot. The cats are also sensitive to sunlight, but they have no choice to keep themselves warm. Try to play with your cat and engage them in numerous activities. Make them comfortable as the extreme weather conditions are only for a few days.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) You May Have
How hot is too hot for cats?
Ans: The temperature near about 100 to 103 F is suitable for cats; however, above 105 F is quite a life-threatening and immediate care is required in such cases.
Do cats prefer warm or cold?
Ans: It depends on the breed and the density of fur on your cat. Cats with less hair can comfortably live in warm environments. On the other hand, long-haired cats likes to live in colder temperatures
How do you know if your cat is cold?
Ans: There are many symptoms by which you can easily make out that your cat is suffering from cold. Some are sneezing, coughing, discharge through their eyes and nose, fever, dehydration, and loss in their appetite. It is advised to take them to your vet before such conditions worsen.
Should I leave AC on for a cat?
Ans: Many cat owners and the vet had said to leave your AC on as this keeps dogs and cats a sense of relief. But you should take care to keep the temperature of about 3 to 4 degrees hotter than the needs of humans.
How do I keep my cat cool on a hot day?
Ans: You can offer your cat is treats and can also play with ice cubs with your cat to relax them on hot days. You can also use wet towels so that they can relax on it and can also groom them for better results.
How do I know if my cat is too hot?
Ans: The signs are straightforward; they will simply breathe by their open mouth and start salivating, panting. In severe cases, they might even vomit and can also witness redness in their gums. These are all the signs when your cat gets overheated.
The Final Verdict
So now you know everything regarding what temperatures do cats like. Make sure to act maturely, as it is you who can save them from such conditions.
Also, remember the fact that you’re feline cannot judge if they are witnessing excessive Warmth. If you feel that something is wrong with them that you cannot handle, make sure to visit your vet as early as possible.
