How cats stay warm in wintertime
Pet cats are famous for finding warm places to sleep. Their owner’s lap, a computer laptop that has been running for hours, a narrow ray of sunshine, or that mysterious spot on the floor where the underfloor heating pipes are least insulated. An entire category of internet memes is devoted to pictures of cats seeking comfort in warm places.
It is not really surprising, as there is a limit to how well cats can warm themselves. The undercoats of many breeds grow thicker in winter to improve insulation. Even if cats stay indoors all the time at a constant temperature, the undercoat still thickens because this response is triggered by shorter daylight hours rather than by a drop in warmth. Apart from this seasonal undercoat, however, there is little a cat can do to actively warm itself. They therefore focus on preserving the warmth they already have.
Curling up into a ball, especially in that charming position where their head seems to fold upside down, helps reduce heat loss. Finding warmth retaining surfaces such as fresh laundry, bed covers, or polar fleece, and cuddling up with other pets in the household are just some of the ways cats try to ensure they do not lose body heat when their surroundings are colder. Their love of polar fleece is what inspired us to use it for our ever popular bedrolls. This extra curling and cuddling for comfort may make it seem as if they are sleeping more than usual. If they continue eating normally, grooming themselves and playing as usual, there is no need for concern. Some cats may want to eat slightly more in winter to consume the extra calories needed to maintain body temperature, but there is again no need to worry if they are not gaining excess weight.
