What temperature do cats like?

A cold kitty is generally not a happy kitty. A cat’s natural body temperature is around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is warmer than humans at between 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C).

Cats are natural heat seekers (as their furry parents can attest), more so than humans. This means that to some, cold can feel very unnatural. Like humans, they sure feel the cold. We need to consider the warm climes and heritages of our felines’ ancestral families, as it is believed that domestic cats have a common ancestor, the North African / Southwest Asian wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica.

There are, of course, a number of breeds which are at very much at home in colder climes, including the Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian Cat and Scottish Fold.

What behaviour should you look out for as a sign that your cat is feeling cold? Cats who are cold will be on the lookout for warm places. They will also tightly compress their bodies, some call it the (very cute) loaf position. This position helps them to maintain a comfortable body temperature without moving. Their preferred temperature is believed to be 69°F (20.5°C) to

72 °F degrees (22.2 °C).

It's important to remember that kittens, older cats and cats with shorter fur are especially sensitive to the cold. For indoor cats, make sure you have lots of warm blankets available for your furry family members to sleep on. If a cat is thin, old, or sick or simply looks cold, try a heating pad on a low temperature under a few layers of blankets. And lots of kitty cuddles definitely help 😊