Give Your Cat an Awesome Winter Adventure

Last Updated on June 30, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

I don’t know about you but January and February are the worst months for us. It gets dark early, it snows a lot, and it is cold. January is Walk Your Pet Month. But it feels more appropriate to curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book than outdoor winter adventures with cats. Treeno is spending his days cuddled up to my space heater. Honestly, though, it gets boring after a while. So what is an adventure cat to do? 

It can be hard if you and your adventure cat have cabin fever. They get cranky. But all the eateries and coffee shops have closed their patios. There are only so many times you can go watch the fish and birds at Petsmart after all. If you and your furbaby are feeling the midwinter blues, try out some of these tips for safe winter adventures for cats and go take a walk in the snow.

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Is it Safe for Cats to be Outside in the Cold?

Generally speaking, if you’re cold then they’re cold. But actually, they will get colder quicker. Cats have a higher body temperature than we do. Their normal body temperature is around 102 F and hypothermia can happen if their temperature falls below 100F.  

Frostbite happens first on exposed areas like ears, paws, and tails if Kitty is outdoors in temperatures under 32F for too long. Provide appropriate first aid and vet care if you see the signs of frostbite or hypothermia. 

If your cat is shivering, tucking her legs tightly under her body in her stroller, or picking up her paws off the ground as if she is in pain, all those could be signs that she is too cold and it is time to opt for an indoor adventure.

How Your Adventure Cat Stays Comfortable in Winter.

Older cats like my Treeno may have a lower tolerance for the cold than their younger family members. But young kittens need to be kept warm. 

The naturally greasy nature of a cat’s coat is somewhat water-resistant. And her insulating undercoat will help keep her warm. The double and triple coated breeds naturally have more cold tolerance. (Treeno doesn’t believe me.)

The insulating barrier of her coat can’t help her if it is wet. Likewise, a matted coat will not keep your furbaby warm. Longhaired cats can also collect snow and ice along their belly fur and the fuzzy paws. But the cat won’t feel the cold until the snow melts. 

Can I Walk My Cat in Winter?

Some cats will enjoy playing in the snow and others won’t. If they usually enjoy outdoor exploring, you can accustom them to the cold and snow gently just as you did when you first started taking them exploring. Start with short adventures to let them get used to it. You can gradually lengthen that period by a few minutes each time. 

Be careful around the pavement. Not only will the cold pavement on her paws increase the chance of frostbite, but rock salt, ice melt, and antifreeze all pose a serious risk to Kitty’s health. Wipe her paws off when you pick her up so she can’t groom that off. And check her paws for cracking. 

You can provide a bit more paw protection for a cat that loves her winter walks with a layer of a nontoxic paw wax.  If you don’t want to purchase one, there are instructions to DIY your own homemade paw wax here.

They also make pet boots, but I know none of my cats would tolerate them. Other adventure cat’s posts on Instagram say some cats do wear them though.

Even if Kitty loves it, don’t keep out her out in the snow for more than an hour. Pop her into her backpack to warm up more frequently in the cold and wet. Be sure to remove the snow from her coat before you do.

How to Setup Kitty’s Backpack for Winter Adventures.

A backpack will be the safe space on your winter adventures with cats. It will keep Kitty safe from dogs and other animals. But it will also keep them safe from the weather. Line her backpack with a fleece or towel. Get a snuggle disc or the “hot hand” products that hunters and outdoor sportspeople use. Wrap the heat source in a separate covering.

 A fellow adventurer suggests putting the snuggle disc or hot hands in the outside pockets of Kitty’s backpack. Be sure Kitty doesn’t overheat. Check on her frequently.

What About Winter Road Trips for Cats?

For the most part, road trips follow the same rules as other outside winter activities. If you are comfortable, Kitty will be too. But you know your car, if the heat in the backseat isn’t great, the hot hands in her carrier can help. Everyone knows not to leave a cat in a hot car in the summer but you don’t want to leave them in a cold car either. It will quickly become a refrigerator. 

If you take proper precautions to get your car maintained and prepared, winter adventures with cats on the road cat be a great experience for all.

Click this link to read our interview with our friends from Sweet Purrfections for more tips on winter travel with cats.

I can say that on a very cold road trip home in a jeep with no heat my hands and feet were so cold they hurt, but Plush was comfy in his carrier with a hot hands packet wrapped up in a blanket.

Do Cats Need Coats in Winter?

A coat can help keep Kitty warm if you are going out in extra cold weather or for a longer time. Don’t let it lull you into a false sense of security though. Keep checking to make sure she isn’t suffering the cold.

Plush hates his coat. He’ll wear it for short winter adventures. He was grateful for it when the heat in my car died on the way home from a show 10 hours away. But he thinks his paws don’t work when he wears it. I think it is too small and constricting. I haven’t found coats or sweaters made for cats and dog coats fit them funny.

You want to find something soft, that isn’t too constricting. Some coats are water-resistant which helps in the snow and ice. The coats with hoods are cute but my cats won’t wear the hood. I’ve seen adorable snow hats too. It provides good frostbite protection for their ears but I know mine would just pull it off.

 My cats say anything with a turtleneck style is a no go. And sleeves are terrible. Plush’s complaint is bulky coats that are cut too short around the arms so they just bulk up more. 

We got some advice to try coats made for weiner dogs. They have that long lean body similar to cats. Or we’re just going to go up in size. By weight and girth, he’s a size small but he needs a medium to get the right coverage on the belly and not have it ride up around his front paws. I like the looks of this one, but we haven’t tried it yet.

I can attest to the quality of RCPets products. Some of them would fit okay for cats, but some of them would still have that short length and no belly coverage issue. It seems like cat coats ought to be a market someone should fill!

If you have a longhaired cat beware the static a sweater can cause in his coat. It can lead to mats. But it is important to train your cat to wear a sweater if you have a hairless or single coated breed.

Have You Taken Your Cat Out for a Winter Adventure?

Are you going to get out there and play in the snow with your cat? Share pictures or tag us on your Instagram. I doubt I’ll coax Treeno out into the snow, no matter how many times I remind him of his Norwegian Forest Cat heritage. But Minnie and Mocha might be up for some winter activities.

If I get Plush a new coat he doesn’t hate so much I think he would enjoy trying out some sights and sounds of a winter road trip. I’ll skip grooming the snow and ice out of his Persian coat and keep him in his pack or dry ground though.