Whats the Best Room Temperature for Cats in Winter?
I live in Canada, and as you can imagine it gets cold here. In fact, we have some of the craziest weather on both sides of the coin. It can get up to +40 degrees Celcius (around 105 Fahrenheit) and as cold as -40 degrees Celcius (around -40 Fahrenheit). So what is the ideal room temperature for cats in winter, well it’s not the temperature outside in Canada that is for sure.
The ideal room temperature for cats in winter is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celcius), and actually closer to 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 25-30 degrees Celcius). The problem with this is that is generally too hot for people inside their homes and would drive your heating bill through the roof. For most cats the room temperature of 20-22 degrees Celcius is fine, and they will be very happy in that.
What you will find, and I definitely find this with my cats, is that they will find and seek out warm spots in the house. My one cat knows exactly where the sunspots are, and also likes to sleep in front of the fridge because it kicks out heat around the floor area. My other cat naps on the registers, and also loves the fireplace. Cats are great at self-adjusting to what they need.
What Indoor Temperature is Too Cold For Cats?
On the other side of the spectrum, you want to make sure that your home is warm enough for your cat. The indoor temperature that is too cold for cats is anything below 15 degrees Celcius which is anything below 60 Fahrenheit. The problem is that cats need a warmer ambient temperature naturally than humans do, so when it gets colder they have to work harder to maintain their internal temperature.
As mentioned above, cats will self adjust, and they will find places in the house that are warmer, or where they can sleep that will keep them warm. That is why they generally sleep in places where they can cuddle up to something like a couch, bed or a blanket. Cats will also often sleep together with other cats to keep body temperature up, or they will curl up into a ball to stay warm.
How Do I Keep My Indoor Cat Warm During the Winter?
Keep your cat or cats warm isn’t difficult, it just may take some planning and some intention. Here are a couple of tips you can use to make sure your cat stays warm and healthy during the long winter months.
- Make sure your cat has clean fresh water every day. We recommend a cat fountain cause they are the best.
- Build, or buy a cat shelter/tree. These have off the ground beds that your cat will use to stay warm. It keeps them elevated which they like and they can isolate. Cats sleep a lot so having a warm place to sleep is critical.
- If you can have an extra heater or warm-up pad for your cat to use. There are kinds that don’t need to be plugged in that captures body heat, and there are ones that you can plugin and they will heat up.
- Make sure your cats has access to food. They will eat to stay warm, and need to keep the weight on.
How do you know a cat is cold?
If you are wondering if your cat is too cold there are a number of things you can look for. To know if your cat is to cold watch to see if it is shivering, trembling or always going to the warm spots in your home. You may need a warming pad or run your house a little warmer. With ragdolls, their fur will really help with this, but you will need to watch and pay attention.
‘Your pet may be shivering, trembling or cuddling into warm spaces,’ says Dr. Tessa Jongejans, veterinary director at Greencross Vets Mortdale. ‘Dogs and cats may curl up on your bed, lounge or near the heater as they seek warmth.
Is 60 Degrees To Cold For a Cat?
As mentioned about yes 60 degrees is too cold for a cat. This is right at the breaking point, and you will want to find a way to get your air temperature warmer for your cat. You can do this by warming up a particular room, or the whole house. The other option is to make sure that the cat has somewhere warm that it can go if it gets cold in your house.
How do I Taking a Cat’s Temperature
There are two main ways that you can take a cat’s temperature, and neither of them is easy. Well I guess it depends on your cat, some cats will be ok, but most of the time they will not. You can always take it to the vet instead. Let them deal with it.
you can take your cat’s temperature rectally or in its ear. Rectal temperatures are more accurate. If you’re trying to determine a fever or how high the cat’s temperature is, use a rectal thermometer. Digital thermometers give a reading much faster and make the process shorter.
Rectal Thermometers
Rectal thermometers are the most accurate way of measuring a cat’s temperature. Most pet stores will stock these items. You will have two options, digital or mercury.
Digital thermometers are more expensive, but definitely recommended because they are easier and quicker.
For this procedure you are going to want your cat as docile as possible. I recommend cat nip and if that doesn’t work then you may need a sedative. I have used oven mits in the past along with a towel to wrap the cat. They usually get a little fisty. Even ragdolls don’t like things shoved up their butt.
- After your cat is sedated or restrained
- Apply lubricant to the tip of the thermometer
- Gently insert the thermometer
- Wait for a beep
- Capture the reading
- Let your cat go and give it a treat
The results of the thermometer should read above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is not the case, your cat is too cold. Immediately focus on providing your cat with warmth in whatever way you can.
Ear Thermometers
Ear thermometers are less intrusive, but they are more expensive. And, not all cats are happy with intrusion into the ear.
Before you buy this you may want to try a test run with something similar in the cat’s ear and see how it goes. Most cats will be ok with this, but cats are cats and we all know what that means. If your cat is pretty chill with having something in its ear then go ahead and try it. The great thing about Amazon is if it doesn’t work you can just return it.
- Calm the cat down with petting, catnip or sedative
- Pick up the cat, holding it close against your body
- Restrain the cat with a towel or oven mitts as it will start to squirm
- Hold the thermometer and follow the instructions about how deep to insert it into the ear
- All ear thermometers are digital, so wait for a beep
Once this occurs, you can release the cat and assess the reading. As with a rectal temperature, anything below 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a concern. Your home is too cold for your cat’s comfort and this must be rectified.