At what temperature is a cat cold?

Cats, like us, are homeotherms or warm-blooded animals and feel cold when they reach a certain temperature. 

Many people believe that, with their fur coat, the weather doesn't affect them as much, but the truth is that, at certain temperatures, they can even suffer from hypothermia or frostbite. 

Cats, as we have previously mentioned, are warm-blooded, and this means that they can keep their body temperature constant even if the external temperature is different. Therefore, they have mechanisms that enable them to cope with both heat and cold, although they have a limit, and if they are faced with extreme temperatures there can be serious consequences. 

For a cat, the thermal neutrality or thermal comfort zone ranges from 30 to 38ºC, so we assume that the cat can start feeling cold from 29ºC downwards, a temperature that is lower in many homes, especially in Winter, not to mention the temperature on the streets. Factors such as humidity and wind should also be taken into account. 

When cats are cold, i.e. the external temperature is lower than their thermal comfort temperature, they start to react with defence mechanisms to maintain their body temperature, such as crawling under a blanket, cardboard box or into a wardrobe between the clothes, seeking out a warm resting place near the radiator, searching for a fluffy place to curl up in, huddling together, etc. We can also notice their extremities, such as the tips of their ears, the tip of their tails or their pads, all of which are significantly colder than usual. We can also notice in the areas such as the skin of the groin and armpits, where the fur is thinner, that the cat may start to tremble, which will cause it to generate heat thanks to these small muscular contractions. We will also find that our furry friend is less active, considerably decreasing its activity. Another response to cold is piloerection, i.e. the cat's fur rises to form an air chamber, helping it to retain heat. 

Even if we know the thermal comfort temperatures of cats, we must bear in mind that some cats are colder than others, such as those with less hair like the Siamese or the Abyssinian; or little hair: Sphynx and Devon Rex; the elderly; those who are not in good health; etc.

Like us humans, they can catch colds and we will experience symptoms similar to ours, such as a runny nose, red and/or watery eyes, sneezing, and/or little physical activity.

Hypothermia is different, which we can recognise if we see our cat shivering, with difficulty breathing, muscle stiffness, and/or altered vital signs. 

We must, therefore, be careful with the temperatures around us so that our little furry friends are protected and healthy. 

Alba Serrano, canine and feline psychologist and Master in Clinical Ethology from the UAB, @enlamentedelosanimales.