Greetings. Sgt Stripes here. You might remember that we live in Michigan. And it’s getting cold here. According to Weather Kitty, it’s supposed to be under 0 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the weekend. I’m not really sure what that means, but Weather Kitty has an advisory. I remember when I lived outside that this time of year was when I had to find someplace protected to stay.

The other four kitties came from shelters. They spent some time outside too. We are all really happy to be inside where we don’t really have to worry about it. It’s an old farmhouse, so it’s not really airtight. (Thank goodness, or we wouldn’t have mousies and bugs to chase.) Angel has a favorite spot right next to the baseboard heat.

I REALLY like my electric tummy-warmer. (Mom says it’s called a bed-warmer. Whatever. And Onyx has her fuzzy blanket. Angel and Snoops rely on human heat a lot of the time. Gypsy likes to sleep under the plant light where it’s warm. It seems like most of the cats we know don’t really like the cold. I thought I would ask Mr. Google about cats and cold weather.

Mr Google says that cats get cold easily. We started out as desert dwellers and have a high body temperature. (Higher than humans). We usually feel the cold before the humans do. (I don’t know about that. Mom and Blondie get cold a lot.It’s why we have so many blankets laying around the house.

Some cats get cold quicker than other cats. Older cats and kittens get cold faster than adult cats. Skinny cats and cats that come from a warm climate get cold quicker than heftier cats and cats from cold climates. But even with all the variations, all cats get cold eventually.

The first sign of a cat feeling cold is that they will look for the warmest spot available. We will curl up into a tight ball. Some cats cover their noses with their tail. If it keeps getting colder, cats start to shiver. Cats can develop hypothermia where their body temperature begins to drop. This is a very dangerous stage.

It is important to avoid getting hypothermia. Cats need to be inside if possible when the temperatures drop. If you’re feeling cold, tell your human to let you inside immediately. If you can’t go inside, your human can provide thick bedding for you to hunker into. A bowl of warm water is also helpful to a cold cat.

Remind your human that what is okay for them isn’t warm enough for you. (They always forget that with sweaters and jackets and whatever, they don’t really feel the temperature. Here are some guidelines (all temperatures are Fahrenheit):

• Small cats, older cats, and kittens are uncomfortable below 50 degrees
• Cats who have lost a lot of weight or have arthritis can be uncomfortable under 60 degrees
• Cats can get frostbite and hypothermia below 32 degrees
• All cats should have a sheltered place to stay if the temperature gets below 45 degrees

All of this is not to say that all cats hate the cold. Some love to go outside for a bit and come back in to warm up. A lot of us get thick winter coats that help with the cold. Black cats absorb more heat from the sun. And some breeds come from cold climates. These kitties have developed traits to help them survive in cold weather. Here are 8 cat breeds that originated in cold climates and are able to tolerate cold weather better than most.

Siberian Cat – These cats have an ultra-plush three-layer winter coat that they shed in the summer. They are friendly and affectionate. As a bonus, they are also hypoallergenic.

Kurilian Bobtail – They have a semi-long coat with a pom-pom tail. They are very loving and gentle as well as independent and intelligent. These cats are superior mousers.

Norwegian Forest Cat – These cats have a water-resistant, semi-long coat. In the winder they have a thick, fully undercoat to keep our the cold. They are good-sized kitties, weighing up to 20 pounds. They are loving and independent. (Our human grandparents had a Norwegian Forest Cat. She sat in front the of the head registers in the winter and in front of the air conditioning ducts in the summer. We all aspire to her status in the house.)

Russian Blue – They have a short, dense double blue coat which is tipped with silver. Russian Blues are independent but gentle and playful. They are considered low-maintenance and adapt easily to changing circumstances.

Maine Coon – These cats have heavy, water-resistant coats. Additionally they have large, muscular bodies. The combination makes them well-suited to being outside in the cold weather. They can weigh up to 25 pounds, but are extremely gentle. They are excellent hunters,  highly adaptable and very attentive to their humans.

Turkish Angora/Turkish Van – They have extremely soft fur and solid bodies helping them be comfortable in the cold.  They are active, intelligent, and social. And they love water. (Although probably not outside in the winter.)

Selkirk Rex – These kitties come in both short-haired and long-haired versions The short-haired version has a dense, plush curled coat. (Some people have compared them to teddy bears.) The long-haired ones look a bit like a wooly sheep. They are fairly large and very muscular. They are easygoing and cuddly.

Scottish Fold – Similar to the Selkirk Rex, Scottish Folds can be either long-haired or short-haired. Their fur is extremely plush and dense. They have sturdy bodies with natural padding to keep our the cold. All Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears; approximately 50% will fold 18-24 days after birth. It is a natural mutation and has not resulted in increased ear infections.

As we write this, I’m lying on a couple of sweaters,   getting sleepy. I think I’ll just stay here and watch the cold through the window.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images