For a healthy, adult cat, $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($18.3^{\circ}\text{C}$) is generally not a dangerous temperature, but it falls outside of their preferred comfort zone. While cats can tolerate this temperature, they will actively seek out warmer microclimates within the home. Understanding a cat’s natural temperature preferences and individual factors is important for ensuring their comfort.
The General Comfort Zone for Cats
Cats have a higher average body temperature than humans, typically ranging from $100^{\circ}\text{F}$ to $102.5^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($37.8^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $39.2^{\circ}\text{C}$). This higher internal temperature explains why they gravitate toward warmer ambient temperatures. The ideal indoor temperature range where most cats feel comfortable is between $70^{\circ}\text{F}$ and $85^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($21^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $29^{\circ}\text{C}$).
Temperatures at $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ are on the cooler end of what a cat can tolerate without discomfort. While a healthy cat can maintain its core temperature, it will likely be motivated to find a sunbeam, a blanket, or a heat vent to raise its surface temperature. This behavior is a natural thermoregulatory response, as cats are descended from desert-dwelling ancestors and are highly attuned to warmth. For most cats, $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ is safe, but it is not the temperature at which they are most relaxed or content.
Individual Factors Influencing Cold Tolerance
The tolerance for $65^{\circ}\text{F}$ depends heavily on a cat’s specific characteristics. Age is a factor, as both young kittens and senior cats have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature. Kittens under seven weeks old have underdeveloped thermoregulatory systems, and older cats may have less muscle mass and slower metabolisms, making them more susceptible to cold.
A cat’s coat and body condition also play a large role in insulation. Hairless breeds, such as the Sphynx, lack the natural fur barrier and require significantly warmer environments, often needing a sweater even indoors. Cats that are underweight or very lean have less body fat to conserve warmth. Cats with chronic health issues, such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or arthritis, may also struggle more in cooler temperatures, as joint pain often worsens in the cold.
Recognizing and Addressing Cold Stress
When a cat is too cold, it will exhibit specific behavioral and physical signs of cold stress. A common indicator is a change in posture, such as curling up tightly into a ball or adopting a hunched position to minimize surface area and conserve heat. They will also spend more time seeking out warm spots, like radiators, sunbeams, or burrowing under blankets.
Physical signs that a cat is cold include shivering or trembling, which is the body’s attempt to generate heat through muscle activity. Finding the cat’s extremities, such as the tips of the ears, paws, or tail, cold to the touch is another sign of heat loss. To address this, owners should provide a cozy, enclosed bed away from drafts and consider using a pet-safe heating pad or thermal blanket. Ensuring the cat has access to adequate nutrition is also important, as digesting food helps generate internal body heat.