Do Maine Coon Cats Like Cold Weather?
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?
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.
The Maine Coon Cat originated in the cold state of Maine, which is notorious for its cold, snowy winters.
Some Maine Coons 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.
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.
