Do Maine Coons Get Cold?

These charismatic felines have several adaptations that make them capable of tolerating low temperatures better than many other breeds of cats. However, Maine coons still get cold and are still vulnerable to frostbite, like other living creatures.

Maine coons are hardy cats, but any cat is vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite when it is colder than 32°F/ 0°C. Temperatures even as low as 0°F / -18°C are generally okay for a few hours but only if the cat is moving around and has shelter if needed. Very young and old cats, as well as pets that are not used to cold weather or have health issues, are more likely to get cold.

There are individual characteristics to consider and precautions to take to keep your pet safer during the cold season.

The Maine Coon’s Adaptations to Cold Weather

Thick Water Resistant Coat: The coat has two layers with different functions. The undercoat consists of short thick hair to insulate and protect from cold and heat. The upper layer is made of long rough hairs to repel moisture and insects.
Piloerection: The cat’s hairs create pockets of air between hair shafts (goosebumps) when the animal is cold. That prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from getting close to the skin.
Paw Pads: Maine coon’s paws have soft pads with a thick layer of subcutaneous fat and connective tissue, as well as tufts of hair between the toes. The paws are supported by a network of blood vessels: the generous blood circulation to the paws is one of the ways the body stays warm and protects the paws from frostbite.

Shivering: Animals shiver to generate heat. While shivering is common with mild hypothermia, it stops if the cat is severely cold.
Slowing Of Metabolism: Cats slow the chemical processes in their bodies to reduce energy expenditure. That way they give off less energy to the cold environment around them.

How To Tell When Your Cat Is Too Cold

Maine coons have a body temperature of 100 °F / 40 °C. If the cat’s temperature drops to 90-95 °F / 32-35 C°, the animal is considered mildly hypothermic. Temperatures below 85 °F / 29 °C are dangerously low.

Some of the common signs of mild and moderate hypothermia include the following:

Behavioral changes, for example, nervousness, hiding, loss of interactive behavior
Some cats sleep more than normally

Picking up and holding up paws
Curling up
Shivering

Vocalizing or withdrawing
Seeking body contact

Some of the signs of progressing and dangerous hypothermia are the following:

Weakness and lethargy
Stiffness of paws and possibly the torso
Slow breathing

Confusion and abnormal comportment

If your cat exhibits the signs of severe hypothermia, or you recognize in other ways that your pet is unwell, take him/her to a veterinarian. Once your cat reaches a certain threshold, medical interventions are necessary to save the animal’s life.

How Cold Is Too Cold For A Maine Coon Cat?

Maine coon cats can withstand very cold temperatures for some time due to their breed’s history. Air as cold as -4 °F (-20 °C) could be okay for cats of some breeds but only if the animal has shelter to retreat to when necessary.

Regardless of how hardy the animal is, sub-zero temperatures create a risk for frostbite. Ears, tail and paws are particularly vulnerable, but any part of the body can become frostbitten when the ambient air is below 32 °F / 0 °C.

Precipitation creates conditions under which a cat’s coat may lose its insulating power. So, rain, snow, and hail make your Maine coon more vulnerable. Strong wind has a similar effect.

Risk Factors For Hypothermia And Frostbite

Some individual characteristics make an animal more vulnerable to developing hypothermia:

Lack of general conditioning, the cat is out of shape, so to speak

Poor health status, especially cardiovascular problems
Immobility is a risk factor for even healthy cats
Lack of acclimatization: being used to the cold allows an animal to adjust over time

Geriatric cats are at high risk for hypothermia, because of impaired physiologic responses to the cold
Kittens are also less hardy

FROSTBITE

If a cat stays outside for too long when the air is colder than his body, the body prioritizes the torso to supply blood to keep warm. While it increases the chances of survival, it leaves the paws, tail, and ears especially vulnerable to frostbite. Other parts of the body could become affected, too.

Some signs of frostbite include:

pale or gray skin
coldness of the area

the cat may appear in pain and guard the affected area
inflammation of the tissue develops after a few days: redness, swelling, ulcers, blisters
eventually, the area could become necrotic

not only does necrosis lead to the loss of affected limbs, but a secondary infection could also develop at the site
if not treated promptly, the animal could die as a result of frostbite, usually due to an infection

There are some interventions to consider to prevent frostbite of the paws. If you think that your cat has frostbite, take him to a veterinarian for an evaluation, if at all possible.

How To Keep Your Maine Coon Warm

Several interventions improve a cat’s tolerance to cold weather and keep the animal warmer on a cold day.

If you moved to a colder climate, allow your pet to acclimate, as he or she might not be used to cold weather. Avoid letting your coon spend long periods in the cold. Increase exposure to cold gradually, as tolerated.
Make sure your pet eats well before going outside. A warm meal and water would be ideal on a cold day.

It is important to regularly feed your cat high-quality food to promote general health and better tolerance to cold weather.
Dry your cat’s wet fur as soon as you can, upon return home
Protect the cat’s paws from frostbite by applying non-toxic paw wax, or paw balm. It creates a barrier and protects the paws from injury.

If your cat develops mild hypothermia, bundle your pet with blankets, and offer a warm meal and water.

Avoid using hot items, such as heating pads or hot water bottles on his skin. They could feel too hot, even though the fur, and could cause further damage.