Healthy adult cats start getting uncomfortable when temperatures fall below about 60°F (15°C), and anything below about 45°F (7°C) is generally considered too cold for extended time.
General temperature limits
Most sources recommend keeping cats in environments between about 50–80°F (10–26.5°C), with many cats seeming most comfortable around typical room temperatures of 60–75°F (15–24°C). Prolonged exposure to temperatures below roughly 45°F (7°C) is considered unsafe for most pet cats, especially if they are not acclimated outdoor cats.
Dangerous cold levels
Once temperatures drop near or below freezing (32°F/0°C), all cats are at risk of hypothermia and frostbite if they stay outside without adequate shelter, food, and dry bedding. Indoor spaces consistently below about 45–50°F (7–10°C) can also be too cold, particularly for kittens, seniors, thin cats, or hairless breeds.
Factors that change tolerance
Cold tolerance varies with age, health, body condition, and coat type: kittens, elderly cats, sick cats, underweight cats, and hairless or short‑haired breeds get cold more quickly. Outdoor or long‑haired cats may tolerate cool weather a bit better, but they are still unsafe in freezing or sub‑freezing temperatures without proper shelter.
Signs your cat is too cold
Common signs that a cat is too cold include shivering, curling tightly into a ball, seeking warm spots (vents, blankets), feeling cool to the touch, lethargy, or reduced appetite. If any of these appear in a cool environment, the cat should be warmed up gradually and a veterinarian contacted if the cat seems weak, confused, or stops shivering (possible hypothermia).
Simple safety rules
- Keep pet cats indoors when outdoor temperatures are below about 45°F (7°C), and always indoors once it nears freezing.
- Aim to keep your home at least around the high 50s–60°F (≈15–20°C), and provide extra warm bedding for vulnerable cats.
