Cats can tolerate some cold, but they are not truly “cold-proof” and can get hypothermia or frostbite. How long they can safely be in the cold depends on temperature, wind, moisture, and the cat’s age, health, and coat.
How cold is too cold?
Veterinary sources generally consider prolonged exposure below about 7–10 °C (45–50 °F) risky for many cats, especially small, thin-coated, sick, very young, or elderly cats. Once temperatures drop to around 0 °C (32 °F) or below, all cats are at clear risk of frostbite and hypothermia if they stay outside without proper shelter.
Indoor vs outdoor and feral cats
Healthy outdoor or feral cats often grow thicker winter coats and learn where to find sheltered, dry spots, so they can survive cold weather better than inexperienced house cats. Even so, not all outdoor cats survive harsh winters, especially if they lack food, dry insulated shelter, or have underlying illness.
Warning signs and basic safety
Signs a cat is too cold include shivering, lethargy, weakness, cold ears or paws, and curling tightly into a ball and not wanting to move. To keep a cat safe, bring them indoors when it approaches freezing, or provide an insulated, dry, wind‑protected outdoor shelter with straw bedding, plus unfrozen food and water.