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Winter is coming! Depending on where you live, the weather may become cold enough to make adventuring with your cat more difficult. We’ve got some tips and suggestions on how to enjoy winter adventures with your cat though. While your outings may need to change some, you don’t have to let the winter weather stop you all-together from enjoying the great outdoors!
Before jumping to our winter adventure tips, let’s get a better understanding of how cats naturally withstand cold temperatures…
How cold is too cold for a cat?
When trying to determine if the weather is too cold for your cat, the general rule of thumb is that if you are cold, so is your cat. Cats can experience frostbite and hypothermia just like us humans can, so it’s important to keep them from being exposed to freezing temperatures (under 32°F/0°C) for too long. Their ears, nose, tail, and paws are particularly susceptible to frostbite.
There isn’t a hard and fast rule about what temperature is officially “too cold” for a cat though. Just like with people, some cats are more tolerant of cold weather than others.
How do I know if my cat is too cold?
If you will be going on outdoor adventures with your cat in the wintertime, watch out for the following signs that your cat is too cold:
- Shivering (Shivering may not always be visibly noticeable. Touch your cat from time to time so you can feel whether or not he is shivering.)
- Lifting or holding his paws up like he’s in pain
- Looking for shelter
If you notice any of the behaviors mentioned above, it is time to wrap up your adventure and get your kitty inside to warm up.
As mentioned frostbite and hypothermia can also be concerns if the temperatures are extremely cold. If you notice any of the signs below, be sure to end your adventure right away and get to your vet.
| Signs of Frostbite in Cats: | Signs of Hypothermia in Cats: |
|---|---|
| • Discoloration of the skin – pale, gray, or bluish • Cold to the touch • Pain when you touch the affected area • Swelling Click here for more info on frostbite and how to treat it. | • Shivering violently • Cold ears and feet • Frostbite • Lethargy • Heart rate and respiratory rate slowing Click here for more info on hypoothermia and how to treat it. |
Is my cat’s fur enough to keep him warm?
You may be thinking, “Hey, my cat has a permanent fur coat on! He doesn’t need a jacket.” While it is true that a cat’s fur is designed to help keep them warm, it will only do so if their coat stays dry. If a cat’s coat gets wet (from snow and ice, for example), they are especially susceptible to hypothermia.
If you will be adventuring with your cat outside in extremely cold temperatures, he may need a little extra help keeping warm in addition to his fur. Again, there is no hard and fast rule about when your cat should wear a jacket. It depends on your cat and what he can comfortably tolerate.
Many cats don’t like wearing sweaters or jackets, but since your cat is already accustomed to wearing a harness, he will likely be more accepting of other outerwear. Be careful with thicker jackets and coats though, as they could possibly cause your pet to overheat.
Side note: There are actually some cat breeds that are better suited for cold weather, such as Norwegian Forest Cats, Maine Coons, Siberians, Ragdolls, Russian Blues, Himalayans, etc. On the flip side, hairless cat breeds such as Sphynxes and Peterbalds should avoid being out in the cold or should always have on a coat or jacket to keep them from getting too cold.
12 Tips for Making Winter Adventures Safe and Enjoyable for Your Cat
Alright! You now have a better understanding of how your cat can physically handle being outside in the cold, and you know what to keep an eye out for. Now it’s time to make sure you and your cat are prepared with the necessary training, gear, and accessories. Here are our best tips and suggestions for cold weather adventures with your cat:
1. Assess your cat’s well-being.
If your cat is sick, frail, or unhealthy in any way, you shouldn’t expose her to the cold. You and your cat should stick to indoor adventures for now until your cat is healthier and feeling better.
2. Train your cat to tolerate the cold.
Just like you trained your cat to get used to his harness, you can, to some extent, train him to better tolerate the cold. Start by taking your cat out for short periods of time – maybe 5 minutes or less. Gradually increase the outdoor increments by just a few minutes at a time until your cat is ready for a longer adventure.
3. Invest in a jacket or coat.
If you’ll be outside with your cat for an extended period of time (I’d say more than 10-15 minutes), you may want to get him a jacket or coat. Knowing whether or not your cat needs a jacket depends on the individual cat. For example, my Southern cats start shivering if the temperature is below 60°F (I know, we are whimps). The more you adventure with your cat in cold weather, the more easily you will be able to assess his needs.
How to pick out a cat jacket/sweater/coat:
- Make sure it doesn’t restrict your cat’s movement – they should still be able to walk, jump, go to the bathroom, etc.
- Be sure it has a small hole above the shoulder blades for the leash to be able to go through and attach to your cat’s harness
- Check the sizing – though dog coats and jackets will work for cats too, they sometimes tend to be too short in the body. Cats are longer and leaner than dogs, so to ensure your cat’s body is adequately covered, you want to find a jacket/coat that is long enough
- If you will be exploring in the snow or ice, you should look for a waterproof or water-resistant jacket/coat
To get your cat used to wearing their jacket, you can let him wear it indoors for short increments of time (just as you did when you were harness training). Also, always supervise your cat while he is wearing his outerwear in case it gets caught or snagged on something.
Coat Recommendations for Cats
- RC Pet Products Puffer Coat
- Kurgo Reversible, Water Resistant Light Jacket
- RC Pet Products Fleece Coat
4. Keep your cat’s ears warm with a fleece snood.
As mentioned before, your cat’s ears are especially sensitive to the cold. If your cat will tolerate having things on his head/ears, a fleece snood is great for protecting ears.
5. Protect your cat’s feet with a set of booties.
If your cat will be out in the snow or ice, a set of pet booties will help to keep his feet protected from direct contact with the cold ground/snow. Booties will also protect your cat from toxins such as salt, antifreeze, and other deicers. Most cats won’t tolerate wearing booties on their feet, but it’s worth a try.
6. Protect your cat’s feet with paw wax.
If your cat won’t wear booties, paw wax is a good alternative form of paw protection. Cats’ paws tend to dry out and crack if exposed to the cold for too long. Paw wax will form a protective barrier between your cat’s paws and the ground, keeping them moisturized and safe from exposure to things like salt and antifreeze.
7. Keep your cat’s backpack/carrier warm.
If you’ll be exploring outdoors in the cold for a longer period of time, you can line your cat’s backpack or carrier with blankets. You can also add a heat source, such as a self-warming heating pad, heated bed, or hand warmers (like Hot Hands). Your cat can take breaks from the cold by riding in his backpack and enjoying some warmth.
Be sure to wrap hand warmers and heating pads in a blanket so your cat isn’t in direct contact with the heat source. You wouldn’t want him to get too hot or even burnt.
8. Avoid salt, antifreeze, or any kind of deicer.
Some of the biggest outdoor hazards for cats in the wintertime are toxic chemicals like salt, antifreeze, and deicers. These products can be extremely harmful to your cat if ingested. Your cat can easily pick up these hazards on his paws, legs, and under belly if he walks through the snow or on any pavement where these products may have been put down.
Even if you don’t think your cat was exposed to these things, always wipe his paws, belly, and legs off with a damp, warm rag when you get home. Better safe than sorry! You don’t want him to ingest any of these toxins when he is grooming himself.
9. Check your cat often for cold paws or ears and wet bellies.
Be proactive about checking on your cat. Snow and ice can stick to you cat’s toes, so check his feet and his ears to make sure they aren’t too cold. Check his under belly to make sure he hasn’t gotten wet. Long-haired cats are especially prone to catching snow and ice between their toes and along their furry bellies. Know that you need to be constantly monitoring your cat for any signs that he may be getting too cold.
10. Limit your cat’s exposure to snow or ice to under an hour.
If you live in a place that gets a lot of snow or ice, you have to be extra cautious about adventuring outdoors with your cat in the winter. When braving the cold and exploring in the snow, it’s best to limit the amount of time your cat spends outside to under an hour. Prolonged exposure to snow and nice can cause your cat’s paw pads to crack or his paws to freeze. Keep your winter adventures short!
11. Limit your cat’s ground time.
If your cat isn’t a fan of walking around in the cold, snow, or ice but still wants to enjoy some outside time, taking a ride in his backpack carrier may be the perfect compromise. You can add blankets and a heat source to his backpack as mentioned in tip #7, and he can enjoy the sights and smells of the outside world from the comfort and warmth of his backpack.
Even if your cat doesn’t mind exploring in the cold, having a warm backpack to retreat to for breaks is always a good idea.
12. Don’t leave your cat in the car.
Just as you shouldn’t leave your cat unattended in the car during the summer months, the same is true during the winter. Cars can quickly become ice boxes, so never leave your cat unattended in a car when it’s cold outside.
Do you adventure with your cat in the winter? What are your must-have gear items and accessories? Tell us in the comments below, or tag us in a post on Instagram (@kittycatgoadventures).
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Great post. I read with horror about a sailor in the Northwest Passage whose cat got frostbitten ears because he didn’t prepare her well enough for exploring outside. He should have read your post first.
I can’t convince my Norwegian Forest that he was born for cold weather. He cuddles my space heaters. The first winter I brought him home he actually melted his fur on one side.