What is the Ideal or Normal Room Temperature for Cats Indoors?
Being a new pet owner is not a walk in the park. Finding out what your new pet likes to eat, how to clean her, taking her to the vet and all that can be overwhelming. Have you recently brought home your cat and do not know what temperatures are ideal for her? Or perhaps it’s the first summer or winter you are spending with your feline friend, and with temperatures soon getting extreme you do not know what temperatures exactly favor your cat. You are in the right place!
Have you ever wondered what the body temperature of a cat is? If your body temperature falls below or flares above 37 degrees Celsius, you are in for a doctor’s visit. Similarly, your cat’s body temperature should range between 37.5 and 39 degrees Celsius. If your cat’s temperatures rise to 40, it may be an indication of ill health or hyperthermia. A vet visit will be unavoidable in such an instance. The body temperatures may differ, however, depending on various factors.
According to cat history, cats were originally desert dwellers, hunting and gathering in the highs and lows of the desert. Cats are therefore resilient and can very well survive in extreme types of weather. However, with the domestication of cats, most cannot handle extreme temperatures. Although the general rule of thumb is 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal temperature for your cat may differ depending on the following reasons.
Age
The older your cat gets, the more it loses weight. Similar to human physiology, the fat in the cat’s body insulates it from cold weather. Therefore, if you have an old dearie cat around, you will need to provide warmer conditions during winter. On the other hand, kittens are intolerant to low temperatures. Actually, a kitten could suffer from hypothermia when the temperatures are temperate. The body of a kitten, being so tiny has no capacity to retain body heat. You will, therefore, need to provide higher temperatures for your kitten to be happy.
Breed
If you are a pet parent to a huge, fluffy adorable Persian cats or a Norwegian forest cat, then low temperatures are no worry for you. These cats have hairy bodies suited for winter and cold places. The Norwegian forest cat, for instance, has a very thick double coat that is waterproof, making him more tolerable to water which is unlikely for many cats.
On the other hand, if your cat is a Sphynx or a Cornish Rex, low temperatures are a no-no for your home. While a Sphynx barely has any hair on their bodies, a Cornish Rex has minimal hair compared to other cats. These cats are easily chilled as they are susceptible to even the lowest temperatures. They require warm temperatures for comfortability.
Size
If you live somewhere in Greenland, then it would not be such a bad idea to have an overweight cat. A big fluffy cat would retain heat better compared to a tiny or thin cat. Small cats have a very low tolerance to low temperatures.
Health
If your feline buddy is nursing some health issue of a kind, you will need to provide her with unusually warm temperatures. Get her with a heated cat bed or additional blankets.
Let’s talk about extreme temperatures. What now for your cat? So, it’s winter and any temperatures below 60 degrees will have your cat snuggling in every warm place it can find. Consider the following ways to provide her with a warm cozy habitat to hang out.
Winter can be very harsh, even for an indoor cat. Purchase a bed for your cat. Donut beds, tented beds and any other kind of cozy bed you can find for your friend will be a plus. If for any reason the store near you does not sell cat beds, you will find a wide range of affordable beds online. If not, make it an interesting activity for your family and build your cat a house. If you already have a bed for your cat, kudos! Now all you need is to add an extra blanket for that feline buddy. You can also consider a heated cat bed for places that get extremely chilly. Do not worry about electricity bills because these beds are designed to heat up only when the cat is inside. Keep your cat’s bed off the ground and away from doors and windows.
As you throw on an extra pair of socks and scarfs, train your cat to pull on a sweater. It can be pretty uncomfortable at first. Therefore, it will require a whole lot of patience and training. Make it a routine for your cat, and soon it will get over the itching that comes with introducing it to sweaters.
As for summer, we cannot emphasize enough on the importance of hydration. Give your cat a running supply of cold, fresh water every two hours. If you are going to be out of the house for the whole day, freeze the water dish and take it out the next morning. The dish is going to melt and cool the water for the better part of the day.
Keep your cat groomed during summer. You are likely going to find hairballs in every corner of the room and under furniture as she tries to shed excessive fur to stay cool. Try using a de-shedding tool to groom your cat.
How will you know if the temperature is not right for your cat?
Do you ever notice your cat walking around the house following the sun rays? Your cat is bound to tell you if they are uncomfortable with the temperatures in the home. If your house heats up too quickly, your cat is bound to look for the shady places in the house or curl up right under the ac. However, if your cat lies on your tummy or looks for a warm cozy cave, that’s an indication that it’s too chilly. Cats are also known to seek the utmost comfort. Expect your cat to meow until you get the message that something is amiss.
Every cat is different in a remarkable way. Apart from the 60-80 degrees general rule, your cat’s ideal temperature may vary from your neighbor’s. Be observant with your cat so you can provide it with the right temperatures.
