How Do You Know If Your Cat Is Cold?
However, most tomcats are well equipped with their fur and dense undercoat to withstand the cold. But they much prefer the warm cocoon offered by your home and will appreciate being able to come home whenever they want in the middle of winter.
Know how to spot when your cat is cold, in order to bring him all the warmth he needs to recharge his batteries!
How To Protect Your Cat From The Cold?
Prevention is always better than cure, so don’t let your cat get cold. For this, simple daily gestures are to be applied. If your cat lives exclusively indoors, consider leaving a cozy basket or blanket for him to keep warm. A cushion or a basket fixed to the radiator in the middle of winter, or simply a place at the corner of your fireplace will make him perfectly happy.
On the other hand, if your cat has access to the outside, avoid letting him go out on very cold, frosty or snowy days. If by chance he goes out despite everything, consider setting up shelters outside. A small kennel insulated from the cold, or a cat tree in your garage will do just fine. Investing in a cat flap, to allow him to come in at any time of the day and night, is also an excellent investment.
Three Signs That Your Cat Is Suffering From The Cold
He Is In The Position Of The “Meatloaf”
The position of the meatloaf, although colorful, has the merit of being telling. It’s the one your cat adopts when it folds its paws under its belly and wraps its tail around its body.
This position allows him to insulate himself as much as possible from the ground and to retain most of the body heat he releases. But beware, if she can signal that your cat is suffering from cold, she can also signal that he is resting in a wakeful state, simply because his wild instinct is on alert.
It Is Close To A Heat Source
Just like humans, a cold cat seeks warmth. It is therefore quite naturally that it will go towards the heat sources. These can simply be the sun behind the bay window, in front of the fireplace, near an oven, on a radiator or on a computer.
However, it is not necessarily because your cat is cold that he seeks warmth. Sometimes it’s just that he enjoys sunbathing or likes to be wrapped in a safe cocoon, just as you like to hold your tea bowl close to you because the warmth comforts you.
He Shakes Or Shivers
The cat does not react differently from the human when it is cold. His body reminds him of this and he begins to shake and shiver. With a good coat, this behavior is still rare and is observed more in naked cat breeds, such as the emblematic Sphynx, Donskoy or Peterbald.
In European cats, shivering is most often observed if your cat is wet. Either because he suffered a grueling walk in the rain or snow, or because he fell into the water, around a pond, a swimming pool or even a water collector.
If your cat is wet and shaking, rub it vigorously with a dry towel to wipe it off while warming it up. Be careful all the same, if he does not react or barely reacts, if he continues to tremble, he is probably suffering from hypothermia.
Watch out for hypothermia, which really puts him in danger. Her extremities will be cold, from the ears to the paws to the tip of the tail, and your cat will be listless. In this case, take him to your veterinarian urgently so as not to damage his vital functions. He will receive the appropriate care.
