Do Maine Coon Cats Like Cold Weather?

A lot of owners look at their cat’s long, thick fur and ask themselves do Maine Coon cats like cold weather?

While Maine Coons don’t actively enjoy or seek out colder temperatures, they are naturally resilient to colder weather. They have long, thick fur that is water and snow repellent and helps insulate them against the cold. Their paws are wide to help them walk easily above the snow.

It’s well known that many cats like the heat, often curling up by the fire or stretching in a sunny spot of the house. But does the unique Maine Coon cat actually like cold weather as much as most cats seem to enjoy warm weather?

So how did the Maine Coon become so well suited to the cold?

Read on to find out how the Maine Coon’s wild origins helped shape it into a cat that’s perfectly built for the snow!

Do Maine Coon Cats Like Cold Weather?

The Maine Coon Cat originated in the cold state of Maine, which is notorious for its cold, snowy winters.

The exact origins of the Maine Coon are mysterious, but it is believed these cats developed naturally.

So, since this breed originated in such a harsh, cold state, do Maine Coons like the cold?

Some Maine Coons seem to enjoy the cold, spending lots of time outside in the winter, or seeking out cold areas of the house, like garages.

In general, however, Maine Coons don’t like the cold as much as tolerate it.

While they may not actively seek out colder temperatures, they’re far more resilient to the cold than most cat breeds.

Maine Coons have thick, long fur that’s perfect for insulating against the cold. Furthermore, their fur is also semi-water repellent, so melted snow slides right off their coat!

Another great feature that keeps Maine Coons winter-ready is their paws.

Maine Coon paws are incredibly large and wide. They work a lot like snowshoes, making it easier for Maine Coons to walk on snow without sinking in!

Their paws are also tufted with extra fur to keep them especially warm.

Ideal Maine Coon Temperature

Even though Maine Coons are built for the cold, not all cold temperatures are safe for your cats.

It is important to know what temperature is too cold for cats, so you can keep your pet safe and healthy through the winter.

In general, you should not let your Maine Coon outside in weather below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a long period of time.

Even the hardy Maine Coon can suffer frostbite or even hypothermia! If your Maine Coon is trained to use a leash, a short walk outside is alright, but anything longer than ten minutes can spell danger for your cat.

While temperatures below 30 degrees can be dangerous for your cat, you should still take caution with any temperature below 45 degrees.

While Maine Coons are more tolerant to cold than other cat breeds, they shouldn’t be left alone in the cold for extended periods of time.

On the flip side, you should take care that your cat isn’t left in hot temperatures for too long, either. Weather above 100 degrees Fahrenheit is simply too hot for a cat.

If you have an outdoor cat, be sure to leave it indoors on hot summer days to avoid heatstroke (source 1,2).

Do Cats Get Cold Easily?

Cats are experts at regulating body heat, and in general, they are quite resilient to the cold.

A cat’s fur is perfectly designed to insulate them against colder temperatures, so they’re able to tolerate the cold much better than a human.

Still, a cat’s fur isn’t enough to protect them from the coldest of temperatures.

While they can comfortably tolerate temperatures in the 50s, anything below 45 degrees can start to get a bit chilly, even for cats!

Signs Your Cat Is Cold

If you’re worried your cat might be getting cold, here are some signs to look out for.

1. Sleeping Curled Up in a Ball

If your cat sleeps curled up in a ball, it’s not usually a sign that something’s wrong.

However, if you notice that your cat is only sleeping in this position, and doesn’t ever seem to stretch out, it might be a sign your cat is too cold.

Curling up in a ball is a way to preserve body heat.

2. Cold Extremities

Touch your cat’s nose, ears, or paws. If they are colder than the rest of your cat’s body, then the temperature might be too chilly for your cat.

3. Always Sleeping On or Near Heat Sources

Does your cat seem glued to the radiator, or never seems to leave the fireplace?

If your cat spends most of its time directly near heat sources, then the rest of the house might be too cold!

4. Puffed Up Fur

Another sign your cat may be cold is if it sits in a hunched position with puffed-up fur.

Cats usually puff up their fur to insulate themselves against the cold.

5. Constant Cuddling

Does your cat transform into a lap cat during the winter months?

If your cat is constantly snuggling up against you, it might be using you for your body heat (source 1,2).

Here is a short video on Youtube of our Maine Coon cat cuddling his owner:

Cat Hypothermia Symptoms

If a cat is left in dangerously cold temperatures for too long, it can suffer from hypothermia, which can lead to death if untreated. Here are some signs of hypothermia to look out for.

Symptom	Description
Weakness	One of the first signs of hypothermia in cats is weakness. They’ll likely move more slowly, or choose to lay down or sit. Activity levels will be greatly reduced.
Shivering	As hypothermia sets in, a cat may also start shivering.
Unresponsive or Unalert	Your cat will become slower to respond to stimuli, and might even be totally unresponsive.
Slow Breathing	Your cat’s breathing might also, become slower and more shallow.
Stiff Muscles	If your cat’s hypothermia is more severe, its muscles might start to stiffen, which will make it difficult for your cat to walk or move.
Pupils Fixed and Dilated	Another sign of more severe hypothermia occurs in the cat’s eyes. The pupils might remain in one spot and will be dilated.

Cat Hypothermia Treatment

Hypothermia is a serious problem that must be treated immediately.

Your first step should be to move your cat to a warmer area. If your cat was in cold water or left in the snow, you should use a towel to dry it off.

One important thing to note is that you should focus on making your cat warmer, not hotter.

Don’t ever place a cat with hypothermia in a hot bath, as this will only cause more shock to your cat’s body.

Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

While you can focus on getting your cat warmer until you can get to the vet, you should never try to treat hypothermia on your own. This is a serious problem that often requires extensive care.

Depending on the severity of the case, your vet might need to use warm IV fluids to bring your cat’s body temperature back up.

Sometimes, a cat will need to stay at the vet for several days to ensure it makes a full recovery (source 1).

How To Keep A Cat Warm During Winter

We all want our cats to be as warm and comfortable as possible, especially during the winter.

If you’re worried that the cold winter months might get a little too chilly for your cat, here are some steps you can take to keep your cat cozy and comfortable.

1. Raise the Thermostat

While it might not be the cheapest option, raising the thermostat is often the fastest.

Keeping a temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit will ensure your cat is kept warm and cozy through the winter.

2. Be Mindful

Be mindful of your cat’s weight and age. Senior cats have more difficulty regulating temperature and might suffer more from the cold than young cats.

Thin cats will also be more likely to need extra warmth in the winter.

3. Get a Heated Bed

You might want to consider buying your cat a heated bed!

There are dozens of choices online for different heated beds that’ll keep your cat warm through the winter.

If you want a cheaper option, you could even just wrap a regular heating pad in some towels or blankets.

4. Provide Plenty of Blankets

Placing some extra blankets in your cat’s favorite sleeping places will help add a bit of extra warmth when it’s cold. Use thicker materials like sherpa or flannel for extra heat.

5. Put Your Cat’s Bed Up High

Heat rises, so by placing your cat’s bed in a higher spot, you’ll ensure your cat can be kept warmer while it sleeps.

These extra-large cat towers are perfect for the job!

You can also place your cat’s bed in warmer locations around the house, like near the heater or in the sun.

6. Give Your Cat Sunshine

Speaking of the sun, keeping the curtains open to let your cat bask in the sunshine is another great way to keep your cat warm!

Just make sure to keep the curtains closed at night, or else the cold might seep in through the windows.

7. Give Your Cat Extra Food

As cats regulate their bodies to stay warm in the winter, they end up burning more calories. Adding a bit of extra food will make sure your cat has all the energy it needs to stay warm!

Here are some great dry food options for Maine Coon cats.

8. More Playtime

Extra playtime is a great way to keep your cat warm. Your cat’s body temperature will rise with exercise!

Our Maine Coon particularly loves these amazing Maine Coon cat toys.

Do Maine Coons Like Snow?

Snow can be an exciting experience for some cats. For the Maine Coon, snow might even be more fun than it is for other cats!

This is because Maine Coons have thick, insulating, and water-repellent fur.

Not all cats like the snow, but some are fascinated by it and love to play in it!

You can let your cat play in the snow for short periods of time, provided you keep an eye out for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

Does Weather Affect Cats’ Moods?

Cats are especially sensitive to the weather, and it’s entirely possible that the weather can have an impact on your cat’s mood!

Extreme temperatures might cause your cat to be more lethargic as it tries to preserve body heat or stay cool, but other weather patterns can also have an effect on your cat.

Many cats can sense when a storm is coming, and they might be more on edge before or during a storm, especially if there’s lightning and thunder.

Cats also seem to have the uncanny ability to predict natural disasters, like hurricanes, although the exact reasoning behind this is still unknown.

Do Cats Get Cold In The House?

In most cases, cats are perfectly fine with the ambient temperatures we keep in our homes.

However, older or thinner cats may have more difficulty regulating temperature and might find some temperatures too extreme.

Keep an eye on your cat’s body language and check for signs it may be cold to ensure you’re keeping your thermostat in the right setting.

But, can you keep a Maine Coon cat inside if you are living in an apartment?

Find out the answer to this popular question by clicking the link to read my article.

Do Cats Get Cold In Air Conditioning?

Even though cats can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, that doesn’t mean they’re always comfortable in the heat or in the cold.

In fact, it’s entirely possible for air conditioning to make your cat cold!

If you prefer to keep your air conditioning at a very low setting, it might be too cold for your cat’s comfort.

Can Maine Coons Live In Hot Weather?

A lot of owners wonder if their Maine Coon can tolerate hot weather. After all, since they’re so well built for the cold, doesn’t that mean that hot weather might be bad for them?

Surprisingly, though, Maine Coons can actually tolerate hot weather quite well.

While you might imagine a Maine Coon’s thick fur would be a hindrance in the heat, it actually helps keep them cool, as well!

However, hot temperatures can still be dangerous for your cat, so you should be sure to provide adequate shade and water to keep your cat healthy.

How To Keep Maine Coon Cool

Cats are experts at regulating their own body heat! Here are some of the amazing ways that cats are able to keep cool on their own when it’s hot out.

a) Drinking Lots of Water

Water is an important way to keep cool for any animal.

Cats instinctively drink more water than usual when it’s especially hot out.

Make sure you have a cat water fountain like this one available from Amazon, as Maine Coon cats love to drink from running water.

b) Sweating

Another way cats regulate body temperature is through sweating.

Cats can sweat through their paw pads and noses to help release body heat and keep cool when it’s hot out.

c) Fur

A lot of owners assume that shaving or trimming a cat’s long fur will help keep it cooler in the summer, when in fact it’s the opposite!

Air gets trapped in a cat’s thick fur, and can actually help keep them cooler when the weather gets extremely hot.

d) Sleeping Position

A cat’s sleeping position is an important way to regulate body temperature. If a cat sleeps curled up, it is able to better preserve body heat. If a cat sleeps stretched out, however, it is able to keep cooler.

Maine Coon cats have lots of odd sleeping positions! To learn more about this, read my article ‘Why Do Maine Coons Sleep On Their Backs?‘.

e) Location

If a cat begins to feel uncomfortably hot, it’s smart enough to move to a cooler location, or seek shade from the sun. Many cats will choose to lay on cold tiled or wood floors to keep cool, as well.

While cats have plenty of ways to keep themselves cool, there are extra steps you can take to help your cat avoid suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

f) Provide Plenty of Water

Since cats drink lots more water to keep cool when it’s hot, do your part to make sure your cat has plenty of water available at all times.

You might want to place an extra water dish or two around the house, just to make it easier for your cat to access.

g) Frequent Grooming

While a cat’s fur can be used to regulate against the heat, extra dead fur can still weigh your cat down and make it hotter.

Stay on top of grooming during the summer so your cat doesn’t suffer from the heat!

Skip the hassle of trial and error by purchasing one of these top 5 favorite Maine Coon cat grooming tools.

h) Cooling Mats

You can also invest in cooling mats for your cat to lay on when it’s hot.

i) Provide Plenty of Shade

Make sure your cat has lots of cool, shady spots to escape to when it’s especially hot out!

Don’t block off spaces under the bed or couches, as these are often a cat’s favorite places to seek refuge from the heat.

Conclusion

Since Maine Coons developed naturally in the cold state of Maine, a lot of people wonder do Maine Coon cats like cold weather?

While most Maine Coons won’t actively seek out cold weather, they are more resilient to the cold than other cat breeds.

However, it’s important to keep your cat nice and warm throughout the winter to prevent hypothermia.

Related Questions

Fun Facts About Maine Coon Cats

The Maine Coon is an incredibly unique cat breed with a lot of surprises! One fun fact about Maine Coons is that they rarely meow- instead, these cats prefer to chirp or trill!