How do I know if my cat cold? 4 signs that it is too cold for him
Ferenczi Deborah, 2023. January 15 - Source: Photos by Getty Images Hungary
Have you noticed that your cat is becoming more cuddly as the temperature outside drops? Well, if it is constantly looking for warmer places inside the house, it is probably cold and trying to find a shelter. But what temperature is ideal for a cat? Here we look at the answer to this question.
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Well, if your cat constantly looking for warmer places in the apartment, then his are probably cold and trying to find a nook. But what temperature is ideal for a cat? We will find the answer to this question below. A cat’s normal body temperature ranges between 37 and 39 degrees. If their body temperature drops below 37 degrees, the kitten is at risk of mild hypothermia. That is why it is absolutely important to make sure that your pet does not get so cold that it is danger of catching a cold.
How do you know a cat is cold?
Since cats tend to hide when they’re cold, you should pay extra attention to spot the signs that it’s too cold for them. The following signs can all be warning signs.
1. Cold extremities
The cat’s ears, paws and the tip of the tail lose heat first. If these body parts are cold, your cat is feel cold.
2. Sleeps directly next to heat sources
If you notice that your cat regularly sleeps next to the radiator, it is certain that it chooses that part of the apartment because it does not get cold there alone.
3. It curls up
If it sleeps curled up, the animal may be cold and try to warm its limbs this way. If it is too cool for the kitten, it will pull its paws and tail under itself to maintain its body temperature.
4. He snuggles with you all the time
If your cat is constantly on your lap, it clearly wants to warm up in this way.
Risk of hypothermia
It is important to know that if the cat’s body temperature drops below 32 degrees, there is a risk of hypothermia. The signs of this are listed below in order of severity.
Signs of mild hypothermia (body temperature 32-37 degrees):
- Weakness
- Shivering
- Lack of mental alertness
The signs of moderate hypothermia (30-32 degrees) are as follows:
- Muscle stiffness
- Low blood pressure
- Unresponsive, stupor-like state
- Slow, shallow breathing
The signs of severe hypothermia (below 30 degrees) are as follows:
- Dilated pupils
- Inaudible heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Any of these symptoms warrants a visit to the vet for immediate treatment.
Tips for keeping your cat warm
In general, people tolerate cold weather much better than cats. That is why it is absolutely important to make sure that your cat is always warm enough. Veterinarians recommend a minimum of 18-20 degrees, but the cat can also sleep at 15 degrees if a warm nook is provided for it.
How to keep your cat warm?
1. Blankets
It may be worth leaving a blanket on the bed, in which you can comfortably wrap yourself if you are feeling cold.
2. Try a heated bed
Nowadays, there is already a wide selection of cat beds that can be heated to keep the animal warm.
3. Heating pad
It may also be worth trying the heating pad, which is wrapped in a traditional towel. However, in this case, always make sure that your pet does not burn itself.
In addition to these, of course, it is also important to make sure that the kitten gets enough exercise, as this increases its body temperature. It may also be worthwhile to increase the amount of food to a minimum if the kitten often spends time outside, because the way the body burns calories, it also warms its body. Not to mention that a well-fed cat is less cold than a skinny animal.t.