How resilient are cats to the cold.?

Question

Only serious answers pls.

Answer 1

Hi there...as a general rule with cold climate temperatures "if it's too cold for you it will be too cold for pet animals". Cats can suffer from hypothermia with prolonged exposures to the cold. Outdoor cats we see makes us wonder how can they manage. Usually they'll hide up into warm engine compartments, sheltered locations that are insulated, etc.

Hypothermia in cats:
http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-frostbite.htm
http://www.petplace.com/cats/hypothermia-in-cats/page1.aspx

Answer 2

They can adapt to cold, but not quickly. If you keep a cat in an indoor environment then toss 'em out on a cold winter night they will suffer and possibly have serious hypothermia problems. On the other hand, if they are always outdoors and experience the gradual change from summer to winter, they will grow an appropriate coat. Furthermore, certain breeds handle the cold much better than others. A Maine Coon will build a very warm coat, while a Siamese won't do nearly as well. They will also need some sort of shelter from the elements. There are medium haired stray mutts that have taken residence in my neighborhood and they all do well in the NJ winter, with the help of an insulated cat house a neighbor has set up for them. The neighborhood also insures that they have enough food and yes they have been captured, neutered and released.

Answer 3

Some like the cold and have no problems while others may not be so resilient. I have a cat TJ who no matter the weather will go out..rain, hail, wind etc...comes in looking like a 'puffer fish' then goes back out into it. I also have another cat, who when the door is opened will sit look out to test the weather and let all the heat out.!
depends on the cat and character!

Answer 4

They can live in very cold conditions, when the British Royal Marines landed on St Georges Island in the South Atlantic, they found lots of feral cats who had been there for about 30 years. Since a old waling stationed was abandoned.

Answer 5

My male cat loves to sleep near the fireplace (it has a door) and sleeps in a flannel pet bed. He does not like the cold. I don't think cats are very resilient to the cold...they can survive, but not in extreme cold conditions.

Answer 6

Cats are extremely resiliant (more so than dogs ;)) You'll be suprised. We (by which I mean my dad) Used to throw out our cat (ages ago now) every night even in winter. And he was fine. But leave a dog outside and it'll sit there like an idiot waiting for you to come back and die.

Answer 7

Not as much as people think. Since they became domesticated they have learnt not to coape with extreme cold. It also depends on how they were brought up. If they are used to being indoors a lot then going out in the cold is going to be harder than a cat that has lived outdoors.

Answer 8

It depends on the cat. I have 2 cats, and one of them loves running through the snow... but the other one generally will not go outside once it reaches winter. In any case, whether the cat likes it or not, i wouldn't suggest leaving them out in the cold for long.

Answer 9

The fur on a cat is actually quite thick so they can cope okay. However I wouldn't put youer cat out at night if thats why you are asking, they can stay and get into all sorts of trouble. Cats love warmth, they like fires and hot radiators so i wouldn't subject your cat to the cold for long, unless he wants to go out for hours.

Answer 10

mine is long haired so maybe more resiliant than most, but he won't stop in! Even if it snows he wants out! So I think he must be able to deal with the cold comfortably.