Do Cats Get Cold? How to Keep Your Cat Warm in Winter
Cats may come equipped with fur coats, but they can still get cold. Wet weather, freezing temperatures, draughts and long periods outdoors can all make it harder for a cat to stay comfortable, particularly if they are very young, elderly, unwell or have a thin coat.
Fortunately, keeping most cats comfortable through a British winter is fairly straightforward: provide warm and dry places to sleep, make sure outdoor cats can return indoors, keep an eye on winter hazards and pay attention to changes in your cat's behaviour.
This guide explains how to tell when your cat is feeling the cold, how to create a warmer home and outdoor environment, and what to do if you suspect hypothermia.
Quick answer
Keep your cat warm in winter by providing a dry, draught-free bed indoors, allowing outdoor cats easy access back inside, drying wet fur and paws, providing fresh indoor water and offering an insulated weatherproof shelter if they spend time outside. Young, elderly, thin, hairless and unwell cats may need extra protection from cold conditions.
Do Cats Get Cold in Winter?
Yes. A cat's coat provides insulation, but it does not make them immune to cold weather.
How well an individual cat copes depends on several factors, including their age, health, body condition, coat, whether they are wet and how long they remain exposed to cold, windy or damp conditions.
Cats will often deal with cooler weather themselves by searching for warmer sleeping places, curling up more tightly and choosing to spend more time indoors.
There isn't one perfect temperature for every cat
A healthy adult cat with a thick coat may cope differently from a hairless cat, a small kitten or an elderly cat with health problems. Watch the individual cat rather than relying entirely on a number on the thermometer.
If you have noticed your cat snoozing more during colder months, we also have a separate guide explaining why cats may sleep more in winter .
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is Cold?
A cat that is simply looking for somewhere cosy is very different from a cat developing dangerous hypothermia.
Early signs that your cat may be uncomfortable in the cold can include:
Shivering
A cold cat may begin to shiver in an attempt to generate heat.
Curling Up Tightly
Your cat may tuck their paws underneath themselves and curl into a compact position.
Seeking Warmth
They may repeatedly search for radiators, sunny windows, blankets or warm laps.
Cold Extremities
The ears, paws or tail may feel noticeably cold.
Reduced Activity
A cat that is getting too cold may become quieter or more lethargic.
Reluctance to Go Outside
A normally adventurous cat may decide the sofa is suddenly far more appealing.
Marked weakness, difficulty walking, shallow breathing, pale gums, collapse or reduced responsiveness are much more serious and require urgent veterinary attention.
How to Keep an Indoor Cat Warm in Winter
Most indoor cats do not need complicated heating equipment. A few simple changes can make their favourite resting areas much more comfortable.
01Move Beds Away From Draughts
Avoid placing your cat's main sleeping area beside frequently opened doors, cold entranceways or particularly draughty windows.
02Add Comfortable Bedding
Blankets and soft bedding allow your cat to choose somewhere warm to curl up. Wash and dry bedding regularly so it remains clean and dry.
03Offer More Than One Sleeping Spot
Cats move around the house according to temperature, sunlight and activity. Providing several resting options lets them choose the most comfortable location.
04Use Height
Many cats enjoy elevated resting places. A stable cat tree or raised bed can provide somewhere comfortable above colder floor level.
05Give Outdoor Toileters an Indoor Litter Tray
A cat that normally toilets outdoors should still have the option of using a litter tray when conditions are icy, snowy or extremely unpleasant.
You can browse our cat beds and bedding if you want to create an additional warm sleeping area for your cat.
Can You Use Heated Beds or Heat Pads for Cats?
Products specifically designed for pets can provide additional warmth for some cats, particularly elderly cats or those that seek out warm sleeping areas.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and make sure your cat can move away from the heat whenever they want.
Check heated products regularly for damaged cables, worn fabric or other deterioration, especially if your cat is prone to chewing.
Important
A heated bed is a comfort product, not a treatment for hypothermia. If you think a cat has hypothermia, bring them indoors, dry them if wet, warm them gradually with towels or blankets and contact a vet urgently rather than applying intense direct heat.
Which Cats Are More Vulnerable to Cold Weather?
Some cats deserve closer attention when the temperature drops.
Kittens
Young cats have less ability to cope with prolonged cold exposure than healthy adult cats.
Senior Cats
Older cats may be less active and may have health conditions that make winter more difficult.
Hairless or Fine-Coated Cats
Less fur means less natural insulation from cold conditions.
Underweight Cats
Very thin cats have less body insulation and may struggle more in cold weather.
Unwell Cats
Illness can affect a cat's ability to regulate body temperature normally.
Cats With Mobility Problems
A cat that cannot easily move between sleeping places may be less able to seek out warmth independently.
Cold Weather and Cats With Arthritis
An arthritic cat may find winter particularly uncomfortable and may become less willing to climb, jump or travel outdoors.
Make warm resting areas easy to reach. A thick comfortable bed at floor level may be more useful than a favourite sleeping place that suddenly requires several difficult jumps.
If your cat uses elevated furniture, consider providing lower intermediate steps so they do not need to make one large jump.
Changes in mobility, stiffness or reluctance to move should be discussed with your vet rather than simply being attributed to age or cold weather.
How to Keep an Outdoor Cat Warm in Winter
Cats that normally go outside may still want to explore during winter, but they should have a reliable way to return to a warm and dry environment.
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Make sure your cat can come indoors whenever they need to.
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Check that cat flaps have not frozen or become blocked by snow.
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Provide fresh water indoors in case outdoor water freezes.
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Encourage your cat to stay indoors overnight during particularly cold conditions.
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Dry your cat thoroughly when they return home wet.
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Check sheds, garages and outbuildings before locking them.
Cats Protection also advises checking beneath the bonnet and around a car before starting the engine during cold weather because cats may investigate vehicles in search of warmth.
What Makes a Good Outdoor Cat Shelter?
If your cat spends time outside — or you regularly see a community or stray cat — a properly positioned shelter can offer protection from rain, wind and cold.
A useful winter shelter should be:
Waterproof
The sleeping area needs to remain dry during rain and snow.
Insulated
Insulation helps retain warmth without relying entirely on an external heat source.
Raised
Keeping the shelter slightly off cold or wet ground can help protect the interior from damp.
Protected From Wind
Position the entrance away from prevailing wind and choose a sheltered part of the garden.
Stable
The structure should not rock, tip or move easily in poor weather.
Easy to Escape From
A cat should never feel trapped inside the shelter or blocked by another animal.
For outdoor and feral-cat shelters, Cats Protection recommends straw as an insulating bedding material because it stays drier than absorbent fabrics. Blankets and towels can become damp and may even freeze in severe weather unless they are checked and changed regularly.
Fresh water is just as important during winter as it is during summer.
Outdoor bowls can freeze, so cats should have access to drinking water indoors. If you provide food and water for an outdoor or community cat, check the bowls regularly during freezing conditions.
Avoid automatically increasing your own cat's food simply because the weather is colder. Indoor cats in particular may become less active during winter. Feed an appropriate complete diet according to your cat's individual needs and speak to your vet if you are concerned about weight loss or changing nutritional requirements.
Check Paws and Fur After Snowy or Icy Weather
Road salt, grit, snow and other substances can become trapped around a cat's paws and fur.
If your cat has been outside in wintry conditions, check their feet and gently wipe away visible residue when they return home.
Dry wet fur with a towel rather than allowing your cat to remain damp in a cold room.
Check between the toes
Small pieces of compacted snow, grit or debris can become uncomfortable around the paws. A quick check when your cat returns indoors can catch problems early.
Winter Hazards Every Cat Owner Should Know About
DANGERAntifreeze
Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol is extremely poisonous to cats. Even a small exposure can cause serious poisoning. Clean spills immediately and keep automotive products securely stored.
DANGERCar Engines
Cats may investigate warm vehicles for shelter. Check around your car and beneath the bonnet before starting the engine in cold weather.
DANGEROpen Fires
Cats naturally seek warm areas. Use an appropriate fireguard around an open fireplace and supervise your cat when a fire is lit.
DANGERLocked Sheds & Garages
A cat looking for shelter may enter an outbuilding unnoticed. Check before closing and locking doors.
DANGERFrozen Water
Outdoor bowls and natural water sources can freeze. Always maintain an accessible supply of fresh drinking water.
DANGERIce & Snow
Deep snow and icy surfaces can make familiar outdoor routes much more difficult, particularly for elderly cats or those with limited mobility.
Why Is Antifreeze So Dangerous for Cats?
Antifreeze is one of the most serious seasonal hazards.
Products containing ethylene glycol can cause severe poisoning and kidney failure. A cat may be exposed by drinking spilled liquid or simply by walking through it and later licking contaminated paws during grooming.
Suspect antifreeze poisoning?
Contact a vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop and do not attempt to treat poisoning at home.
Hypothermia in Cats: Signs You Should Never Ignore
Hypothermia occurs when a cat's body temperature drops dangerously low. It is a veterinary emergency.
Possible warning signs include:
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shivering
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marked lethargy or weakness
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difficulty walking or poor coordination
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slow or shallow breathing
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pale gums
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collapse or reduced responsiveness
If you think your cat has hypothermia
Bring them into a warm, dry environment.
If they are wet, gently dry them with towels.
Wrap them in warm, dry towels or blankets.
Warm them gradually rather than applying intense direct heat.
Contact a vet immediately.
Do not use extremely hot water, a hair dryer or another intense heat source directly on a hypothermic cat. Rapid or excessive heating can cause additional problems, and a severely chilled cat needs professional veterinary assessment.
How Can You Help a Stray or Feral Cat During Winter?
If an unfamiliar cat regularly appears in your garden during cold weather, do not automatically assume they are homeless. They may simply be an owned cat that enjoys roaming.
If you believe the cat is genuinely stray, lost or in poor condition, contact a local rescue organisation or vet for advice and to check whether the cat may be microchipped.
In the meantime, access to fresh water and a dry, weatherproof shelter can make a significant difference during severe weather.
Avoid forcibly placing a nervous outdoor cat inside a shelter. Position it somewhere quiet and protected and allow the cat to investigate it voluntarily.
Don't Assume Every Winter Behaviour Change Is Because of the Cold
Cats may sleep more, seek warmer places or spend less time outside in winter, but significant behavioural changes should not automatically be dismissed as seasonal.
Contact your vet if your cat becomes unusually lethargic, stops eating, loses weight, develops difficulty walking, suddenly hides much more than usual or otherwise seems unwell.
Cold weather can change a cat's routine, but it can also make an existing health problem more noticeable.
Winter Cat Care Checklist
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Warm, dry and draught-free sleeping area
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Several comfortable resting places
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Fresh indoor drinking water
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Indoor litter tray available
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Reliable indoor access for outdoor cats
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Cat flap checked during snow and freezing weather
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Paws and wet fur checked after outdoor trips
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Antifreeze stored securely and spills cleaned immediately
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Cars checked before starting in very cold weather
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Outdoor shelter kept dry if one is provided
Keeping Cats Warm in Winter: FAQs
Do cats get cold even though they have fur?
Yes. Fur provides insulation but does not completely protect cats from prolonged exposure to cold, wind and wet conditions. Age, health, coat type and body condition also affect how well an individual cat copes.
How do I know if my cat is too cold?
Shivering, curling tightly, seeking heat, cold ears or paws and unusual lethargy can indicate that a cat is becoming too cold. Weakness, difficulty walking, pale gums, slow breathing or collapse are more serious signs requiring urgent veterinary attention.
Should cats stay indoors during winter?
Cats that normally go outdoors may still choose to explore in winter, but they should have easy access back into a warm, dry environment. During severe cold, snow or icy weather it can be sensible to encourage them to remain indoors, particularly overnight.
Do older cats feel the cold more?
Senior cats can be more vulnerable, particularly if they have arthritis, reduced mobility, low body condition or another health condition. Give them warm sleeping areas that are easy to reach.
Should I put a blanket in an outdoor cat shelter?
Fabric can become damp outdoors and may become extremely cold or freeze during severe weather. Cats Protection recommends straw for insulated outdoor shelters because it generally remains drier. If blankets or towels are used, check and replace them regularly.
Can I use a heat pad for my cat?
A pet-safe heat pad can be used for normal comfort when used according to its instructions and your cat is able to move away from it. Do not use intense direct heat to treat suspected hypothermia; contact a vet urgently instead.
Should I feed my cat more in winter?
Not automatically. Energy requirements vary depending on lifestyle, health and how much time a cat spends outdoors. Indoor cats may actually be less active during winter. Feed according to your cat's individual needs and ask your vet for advice if their weight changes.
What should I do if my cat comes home soaked and cold?
Bring them into a warm environment and dry their coat gently with towels. If they remain very cold, shiver excessively, seem weak, have difficulty walking or show any other signs of hypothermia, contact a vet immediately.
Is antifreeze dangerous to cats?
Yes. Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol is extremely poisonous and can cause fatal kidney damage. If you think your cat may have been exposed, contact a vet immediately.
The Bottom Line
Cats are good at finding the warmest seat in the house, but their fur does not make them immune to winter weather.
Give your cat warm, dry and draught-free places to rest, make sure outdoor cats can return indoors whenever they want and pay particular attention to kittens, seniors, thin-coated cats and cats with health or mobility problems.
For cats that spend significant time outdoors, a waterproof and insulated shelter can provide valuable protection from wind and rain. Keep drinking water available, check paws after icy weather and take antifreeze seriously.
Most importantly, know the difference between a cat looking for a warmer bed and a cat becoming dangerously cold. Weakness, difficulty walking, abnormal breathing or collapse should be treated as an emergency.
