We love our feline family members, so it is only normal that we seek the safest environment for them. If you have an indoor cat, you may have wondered: do cats need air conditioning to keep cold or warm? As funny as it is to see your cat stretched along the floor, it is a sign that they could be too hot and are looking to cool down. Cats do not need an AC so badly, since they possess the ability to regulate their body temperature better than us humans and they don’t sweat that much. In fact, did you know that cats sweat through their paws?
However, it is not always so simple. High or Extreme temperatures can hit and cats can suffer from it. Providing a safe indoor space in terms of temperature is essential for their care.
Also, not all cats are created equal: shorthair cats, for example, may be more susceptible to cold temperatures. Kittens require special treatment too. While an adult cat could even sleep outside, a small kitten should be kept inside and at regulated temperature.
Why Is My Cat Obsessed With the Air Conditioner?
Do cats like the ac? Some do! and if yours do, you’ll know. Cats that are obsessed with the AC are that way because they love it! As simple as that. If they can, they may even try to stay right under it to take full advantage of its benefits.
If your cat stays under the air con, it’s probably just to relax, or control its temperature after a playing session or being hit by the sun for a while, they love that too! (We also adore that. It’s perfect for very cute photos).
Do not worry. AC generally provides no harm and as we were saying before, it helps your cat regulate its body temperature. Among other methods they use which we will detail below (find out why cats also love to stay inside the refrigerator)
What Is a Comfortable Temperature For my Cat?
If you have cats, you know how smart they are! They won’t stay in a place where they are not comfortable. and if they are, they will show signs that are mostly easy to observe.
Their survivable temperature range for an average is between 30 – 115 degrees Fahrenheit. This is, of course, without considering any health issues derived from age or any other condition. Of course, these extremes are not comfortable for them and should be avoided at all costs.
As a rule of thumb, cats are comfortable when we are. So keeping it between 65 and 80 degrees inside at any season will ensure our cat’s happiness.
In hoy days, you also need to make sure that your cat stays hydrated! Felines don’t go out of their way to get some water, so you must be clever about it.
Do I Need to Leave The AC on For my Cat?
Not really. This question is tied with the previous one. Before considering this, you should assess if the temperatures are too hot or too cold that day. Although they will appreciate and be filled with joy if you leave it on for them. For example, if you are leaving and the house usually stays hot if the AC is not on, it won’t be a bad option to leave it on while nobody else is home.
Factors like age, weight, size and even their fluffiness are to be kept in mind when deciding whether or not leaving the AC turned on.
Dogs may be more dependent on this subject, but cats regulate their body temperature much better than them. Point for the cats!
When Is a Cat Too Hot?
Common signs that your cat is too hot are:
- Laying stretched on the floor for a long time
- Rapid pulse and breathing
- Sweaty paws and excessive brooming
- Panting
- Restless behavior
- In more extreme cases, Vomiting or/and diharrea
When Is a Cat Too Cold?
A cat may be too cold when:
- Curled up in loaf or ball position
- They seek us for cuddles
- They stay on a sunny window as long as they can
Cold is harder to recognize, only in extreme cases will a cat visibly shiver. As we said at the beginning, do not worry as the risk of any conditions because of the AC like hypothermia or catching a cold is next to zero.
RELATED: Cat Allergy Season: What does it mean for your cat?
Other FAQ’s
Why Does My Cat Sniff The Air Conditioner Vent?
It may be time for a maintenance check! Your feline friend’s smell is extremely sensitive, they could have recognized a strange odor that is driving their attention towards the air conditioning vent. This odor can be normal if it has been some time since you last cleared the air filters on your AC or called for any maintenance to be done.
Can My Cat Get Sick From the Air Conditioner?
As we previously said, catching a cold because of the AC is highly unlikely for cats in general. However, you should be aware of kittens or cats with special conditions that may require additional care regarding that exposure.
Are Cats OK Without Air Conditioning?
If you don’t have an air conditioning unit at home, do not worry! an AC is not essential for the well-being of a cat. Keeping your house ventilated when it’s hot and providing them a cozy place to stay or rest is enough. Remember that they have their methods to help them regulate temperature.
Ideal Room Temperature For cats In Summer?
Cats can withstand high temperatures better than us. If you are leaving the AC on, experts recommend leaving it around 75–78℉ for your kitty to stay cool.
Ideal Room Temperature For cats In Summer Celsius: 18°C to 24°C
Ideal Room Temperature For cats In Summer Farenheit: 65°F to 75°F
ALSO READ: Why Does My Cat Sneeze After Drinking Water?
Final Thoughts
To sum up, an air conditioning unit is not needed for your cat unless we are talking about extreme temperatures. All factors and characteristics of your feline family member are to be considered in order to tell if they would benefit from exposure to it or not. But the most important thing is: They do not need an air conditioning unit to survive! Of course it has some benefits as we discussed earlier, but it is more of a luxury than anything else.
And if you have an AC unit and are preoccupied with exposure, air conditioning is not bad for cats! So go ahead and crank it up if you will. Signs will be very clear. If they ever feel uncomfortable, you will notice it for sure!
I hope this article was useful to you and that you found the answer you were looking for. If you have any doubts, please feel free to leave us a comment. Thank you for reading until the end!
Interestingly, my kitten shivers A LOT when it’s cold. She sits next to the windows (maybe the chilliest place in the room) and sleeps and shivers. Because she’s a Maine Coon, I thought this was WILD. I mean… Maine Coons were bred for frigid conditions. I later found out that this is partly due to kitten fur being different than adult cat fur which has hairs that are more protective against cold weather. All this to say, be mindful of your kitten’s age when they are in kind of cold or kind of hot weather. They may not have the means of coping just yet and may be relying on you to keep them safe!
Very Interesting! This is new for me, thank you for your insights. Also, I love Maine Coons! 🙂