How cold is OK for cats?

[pholy]

My friend's house lost power and heat because of our ice storm. She has been staying overnight with other friends, but left her two cats behind. She can't take them to her friend's house, or mine, so it will be rather inconvenient, I'm sure.
Has anybody got any idea how low a temperature the cats can handle before she should move them to a warmer place?

[kindlekitten]

Sounds like multiple cats? Hopefully they don't hate each other? If she has a box or crate that would fit all of them , then put in some blankets, several, thatthey can cuddle up under, if it doesn't spend multiple days in the Fahrenheit twenties, they should be ok. They will consume a lot more food and water while it's cold, especially high protein food.

If it gets really bad, think about heatingsome bricks in a fireplace or on a car engine, wrap them in newspaper, then blankets, then give them the snuggle blankets, swap out every few hours, and they should be golden s

[Sweetpea]

Cold in itself isn't too bad. But draft and wet it. As KK above said, put down enough blankets so they can make a nest and put good food and plenty of water down. They'll mostly ok then.

I think the most important part is the checking up on them. They do need and want the loving company of their servants...

[piperclassique]

Is there any way your friend could use a gas or parafin stove a couple of hours a day while she feeds them and gives them a bit of company?

[cromag]

I'm not a vet (and maybe your friend should check with one?) but we have plenty of feral cats in our neighborhood, where it gets very cold (with freezing rain, snow, etc.).

I suspect that they'll do fine with terry cloth towels or blankets to curl up in.

[poohbear_nc]

As noted above, shelter from wind & rain is the crucial element in their survival - if they were left inside an unheated house, providing bedding materials to trap body heat will do well. Making sure they have access to unfrozen water and lots of high energy food will keep their metabolism high enough to generate body heat. KK's suggestion to provide sources of heat is great - to provide not only heat but emotional comfort until their 'mom' can safely return.

When we've had ice storms and lost power here, I've bundled myself and the cats into bed under all the blankets/comforters I can load onto the bed and we've kept each other toasty.

[poohbear_nc]

If the owner left behind some clothes (sweaters, etc.) with her 'smell' on them - use them to build snuggle beds for the cats - they will be attracted by the scent and burrow into the pile - plus it's additional emotional comfort for cats abruptly abandoned.

[Stitchawl]

Felicity the First lived in Vermont. She spent every night outside, summer and winter. She would leave at 11pm when the dog came in, and not return until morning when the dog went out. Sometimes she would leave during the afternoon to lay on the window sill outside, even when the temps were below zero for weeks on end. (We had a pet door that she and the dog could use if they wanted, but both preferred to have us play doorman.)
Felicity II is a Thai cat. She'd prefer just to lay on her electric heating pad all winter long when we lived in Japan and the temps were closer to freezing outside. She's always been an indoor cat, and probably wouldn't do well outside in winter, even here in Thailand. She does grow a winter coat, even here, and I imagine most cats do the same.


Stitchawl

[stevelitt]

Originally Posted by pholy

My friend's house lost power and heat because of our ice storm. She has been staying overnight with other friends, but left her two cats behind. She can't take them to her friend's house, or mine, so it will be rather inconvenient, I'm sure.
Has anybody got any idea how low a temperature the cats can handle before she should move them to a warmer place?

When I used to live in Chicago, cats were regularly out in 10F weather at night, with snow on the ground. They howled miserably, they didn't like it, but I don't remember finding any dead cats in the snow.

That being said, the steps others have suggested would be an excellent idea. Also, if your friend leaves all the drapes and blinds open, in the day the sun will heat the apartment.

SteveT

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Felicity the First lived in Vermont. She spent every night outside, summer and winter. ...

Stitchawl

Yep, the half-dozen or so cats across the street live outside in a sort of playhouse every day of the year....even through sub-zero temps etc.

I love cats, have two of my own, but they are sort of annoying in that they come over and chase my wild birds and shit in my yard.....and the city law says 'no outside cats'....oh well...

[pholy]

Thank you all for your advice. It's really hard to think with common sense in the middle of a situation. It's much appreciated.
And, of course, when I call up pass on all this, I find out that she has power back, and is warm, and again caught up in Christmas preparations.
Merry Christmas - or as appropriate - to all of you. Thanks again.

[poohbear_nc]

Getting power back on is the bestest Xmas present of all!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Getting power back on is the bestest Xmas present of all!

The only time I lost power was when I let some woman cut my hair...


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

The only time I lost power was when I let some woman cut my hair...


Stitchawl

Snicker!!!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

The only time I lost power was when I let some woman cut my hair...


Stitchawl

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Snicker!!!

Laugh now, but it wasn't so funny when the country was being overrun by hordes of Finkelsteins... errr... Philistines.


Stitchawl