Can a cat freeze to death? Danger of cats outside in winters

You know that, like us, a cat can be cold in winters but you wonder if a can cat freeze to death? What would happen if your cat is outside in winters and a cold snap arrives with very very low temperatures… What are the dangers of cold on a cat?

These are the questions I asked myself when my little Mistee ran away in the middle of January last year. Anguished by the idea that she might freezing to death, I had inquired about the resistance of cats in winters but especially to know how to warm it when she might return to hypothermia!

So if you too are wondering if cats tolerate the cold well et up to what temperature, here is some useful and reliable information that I was able to obtain and that I am sharing with you on this blog.

Can a cat be cold?

YES : Cats feel the sensation of cold. However, cats don't feel the cold like we humans do. Indeed, naturally, they are better protected than us and their organism is more resistant than ours.

Can cats stand the cold?

YES : Thanks to their thick coat and dense undercoat, cats benefit from good protection and thermal insulation against the cold.

In addition, their body, by activating certain defense mechanisms, helps maintain a constant body temperature when there are significant variations in outside temperatures.

Cats have a higher body temperature than ours which is around 38,5°C which allows them to withstand the low temperatures of winter.

However, according to the cats, they will not be able to endure extremely low temperatures...

What temperature can a cat withstand?

Impossible to say because the cold resistance of cats is very variable and depends on the extreme temperature tolerance of each cat, according to his race, his physique, his age, his weight and his health.

First of all, you should know:

• that an outdoor cat will withstand the cold better than a cat used to living indoors,
• that a young and healthy cat will withstand the cold better than an old sick cat, than a 2 month old fragile kitten or a cat who has just given birth and is breastfeeding her kittens ... (See Shaking kitten).

Then it is necessary take into account the feeling and not just the temperature.

Indeed, a cat will better endure a dry and windless cold even at low temperatures than if it is exposed to a damp cold with wind and rain when the temperatures are less cold ...

However, if your cat is exposed to glacial cold, at temperatures below 0 ° C too long, he will not be able to resist it very long ...

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How do you know if a cat is cold?

To know if a cat is cold, you will need to observe and touch it:

• If he trembles, shivers or shivers, this is a sign that your cat is cold;
• If he tries to get near the radiator, in a blanket, near the fireplace, it may be because your cat is cold and is trying to warm up;
• If, to the touch, you feel the cold on its coat, on the tips of its ears or on its pads, your cat is cold.

Can a cat freeze to death?

YES : Hypothermia in a cat can occur if it stays in freezing temperatures for too long especially at night, if it is wet and there is wind ...

In fact, under these conditions, the cat's body temperature will drop, his heart rate and breathing will slow down, which will lead to hypothermia.

If this condition is prolonged, the cat may experience heart problems, neurological problems, kidney failure, frostbite and sometimes a cat can die.

How do you know if a cat is hypothermic?

A cat is considered mild hypothermia when its temperature is between 35,5 and 37,7 ° C and severe hypothermia when its temperature drops below 32 ° C.

Remember that his normal temperature is around 38,5 ° C. See how to take a cat's temperature?

On the other hand, here are the signs that should alert you if your cat has been outside in freezing cold for several hours or several days:

• Your cat trembles and shivers;
• If he is very weak or in a lethargic state;
• Your cat is cold;
• Its temperature is below 37,7 ° C;
• Your cat has a much slower heart beat (decrease in heart rate);
• Your cat's pupils are dilated, her gums are pale and her inner eyelids are bluish;
• Your cat has difficulty walking, breathing ...

If your cat has any of these symptoms, wrap them in a warm blanket and take him to his vet immediately !

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Can a cat catch a cold?

YESLike humans, cats can catch a cold. See my article: How to treat a cat with a cold?

Can we take our cat outside in winter?

YES : When a cat is used to going out, you can't stop it when it's cold. The ideal will be to install a cat flap so that he can go out and in when he wants. If this is not possible, it will be necessary to check that it does not stay outside too long and avoid leaving it outside overnight if it is too cold! If it happens that your cat does not come in, if it has run away for several days, then find out " How to find your cat?"

As a prevention and in case, install a kennel (see model below) or a shelter outside where your cat can take refuge to protect itself from the rain and wind if it were to stay outside ...

Also consider equipping it with a GPS tracker to be able to find it quickly wherever it is!

Can we let a cat play in the snow?

YES : But not long ! Indeed, your cat can stand the cold very well, but if he stays too long in the snow, his pads may get damaged and cause him pain the following days.

Can we let a cat sleep outside?

YES : If it is an outdoor cat and under certain conditions! Indeed, if your cat is used to spending all his time outdoors and the temperatures are not freezing, he will be able to resist the cold and sleep outside.

For this, it is important that he can have a very warm niche (see model below) placed in an outside place sheltered and protected from wind and rain.

Otherwise, I advise you to install a cat flap on your door to allow it to go inside if it feels that it is too cold to sleep outside ...

See also: Can an adult cat kill a kitten?

Can a cat die stuck in a tree?

Can a cat starve to death?

or: How do cats see humans?