Cats adapt well to their environment.
But on the coat side, how does it work?
Do all cats have winter coat?
How do I know if my cat is cold in winter?
Our answers.
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Winter moulting in cats: a natural phenomenon
All cats experience winter shedding.
But this is not the only molt that takes place during the year.
In summer, cats lose their hair to benefit from cooler fur.
In winter, the coat thickens, chasing away the summer hairs.
He gains more hair than he loses.
This winter molt is a natural phenomenon which helps to densify the fur and protect your feline from cold snaps.
This phenomenon takes place in late fall, when temperatures begin to drop.
If the phenomenon occurs outside of the late spring and late fall periods, this is a problem and you should consult your veterinarian.
Long hair or short hair: how do I know if my cat is cold in winter?
Rest assured, there is little risk of your cat being cold in winter.
If he spends the nights indoors and has shelter when he wants it, then your cat will always be well protected from low temperatures if his fur is not enough.
Remember, however, that cats are wild animals that have survived thousands of years without being tamed by humans.
Their genetic characteristics have not evolved much.
But a question remains: are long-haired cats better protected than short-haired cats?
The answer is no.
What really keeps the feline warm is its undercoat.
This means that long or short hairs, it makes no difference.
Only the undercoat of hair matters.
The cat therefore does not feel cold in winter if it is not exposed against its will to very low temperatures for long periods.
It should also be noted that long-haired cats lose more hair than short-haired cats, but this does not change the protection it benefits from the cold.
Also read: The 5 most resistant cat breeds
What are the breeds of cats that do not fear the cold?
Some cat breeds have a denser undercoat than others.
From a genetic point of view, they have lived in low temperatures more often than others.
As a result, their fur developed to allow them to be better protected.
Among the breeds of cats that do not fear the cold, we can cite the Russian Blue which, as its name suggests, is used to extreme cold.
Its descendant, the Nebelung, also resists the cold very well.
We can also mention the Chartreux whose undercoat is very dense, a characteristic that it shares with the Sacré de Burma and the Exotic shorthair.
Among large cats, the Norwegian and the Maine Coon also share excellent cold resistance.
These cats are perfect if you live in cold regions, but they adapt to all environments.