Even if he is furry, a cat can suffer from the cold, which he does not like because his body temperature is 38 to 39 degrees normally. Here are the signs that prove that a cat is cold, then I will present to you in a second step the solutions so that your cat who is cold regains a normal temperature.
Cat that is cold: What you need to know
With the arrival of autumn and winter and the relatively low temperatures, cats also tend to stay warm longer at home, usually curled up near a heat source, such as the radiator.
Despite a coat that completely covers the body, cats are much more sensitive to climate change than we humans and suffer from low temperatures, especially in the case of puppies or older cats. Cats have a body temperature of around 38-39°C and suffer from both cold and humidity.
In addition, in general, cats do not like the cold, they will tend to curl up when it is cold so that they can retain as much heat as possible, cold and cat do not go together.
All breeds of cats are sensitive to the cold, but for example, long-haired cats will necessarily take less cold and hairless cats, such as the Siamese, will necessarily be less protected by the cold.
Signs of a cold cat
Watch your cat carefully, they will send different signals to let you know they are cold. Here’s what proves he’s cold.
- It ‘s shivering – A cold cat will shiver and shiver. You can see it when it comes home in winter for example. This is a sign that he is very cold and you must then ensure that he can be in a sufficiently warm environment so as not to go into hypothermia. And don’t take him out again when it’s cold if he’s shaking when he comes back, because he could put himself in danger if he doesn’t have the strength to come back.
- It gets under the covers – A cold cat wraps itself and stays under the covers, pillows and curtains. You can also find it in your bed, perhaps under the soft and warm duvet. He seeks to get warm, and does not necessarily seek comfort only. in this case, you can make sure that he slips into it during the day if it is not very hot at home, so he will not be able to catch a cold.
- It goes near heat objects – You will see your cat follow the heat. He will snuggle up against the radiator or go into the kitchen, for example. He usually puts himself in a meatloaf position so as not to lose heat through his extremities. He can also sleep in a ball to achieve the same effects. You can bring his cat tree or basket closer to the heat source he loves so much.
- He has a dry nose – The cat that suffers from the cold has a dry nose. If the fever is caused by the cold (and not by other illnesses) you will have to gradually warm up the environment and of course consult a veterinarian.
- He’s cold – A cat’s body temperature is around 38 degrees, but if he’s really cold his temperature may be lower, a sign of hypothermia and you’ll need to get him warmed up to avoid stomach issues. health.
My cat is cold: How can I help it?
If you have noticed that your cat is cold, you can help it with simple but effective remedies, here are my top tips:
- Brush your cat – This solution may seem surprising, but the brushed coat renews itself more quickly, so it remains soft and able to retain heat and keep the cat warm. On the contrary, the shaggy coat is not very insulating so be sure to always and carefully brush your cat.
- Make him a warm corner – You will need to prepare a small corner where the cat can take refuge and be less cold. You can take a pillow and a blanket over it, for example, so that it is warm at the bottom as well as at the top.
- Take Thermal Blankets – There are cat kennels or thermal blankets on the market that reach 10° to 35°C warmer than the surrounding ambient temperature. Your cat will love it and bask in it for long hours.
- Check Nutrition – Diet is always a vital factor in a cat’s health. In winter, if he is used to walking in front of the door, you can increase/insert higher fat kibbles in his diet, these will contribute to the growth of a thicker coat able to protect him from the cold and offers him a protective layer against the cold.
- Be careful with fragile cats – old cats and young cats have a weak immune system and they will resist the cold less well, so take your tomcat over 12 years old or your kitten out of the cold and take no risk.
- Don’t let him outside when it’s cold – Cats like to go outside but very low temperatures can put him at risk, so make sure he can stay inside so he doesn’t catch cold and not having the strength to come back.
- Putting the Heat On – Leaving some heat on during the day keeps him from getting cold, especially if you live in a cold environment or a heat strainer that could cause him to catch cold during the day.
- Put a blanket on him: You can equip your cat with a vest so that he doesn’t catch cold, but it’s not the most effective solution for him, and he won’t be able to lick himself to clean himself.
Cat who is cold: The final word
If your cat is cold, there is no shortage of solutions to provide him with more warmth and will help prevent him from getting cold snaps. If nothing helps, go to the veterinarian so that he can detect a possible pathology, especially if your cat is starting to age.