Just a few months ago we explored the ideas of clothing on cats. Aside from the ethics of dressing your cats up, do they need to be bundled to keep warm this winter? Cats in coats sound adorable – but is it something you should attempt outside an Instagram photoshoot? Should you dress your cat as warmly as yourself before heading out for a walk on a winter day? Should you put them in little booties as well to protect them from bitterly cold pavement or gravel? Do they need an argyle sweater for lounging around a chilly house? 

These are useful questions! So shake off the warm fuzzies you get from imagining how kawaii your cat in clothes would be, and let’s explore the pros and cons of winter gear for cats.  

Winter Gear for Pets

No doubt you’ve seen the racks of clothing for pets at your local pet store. Especially around the winter holidays, when festive looks festoon the shelves, maybe you’ve delightedly considered how your cat might look in a sparkly sweater. There’s even an Instagram tag for it: #catsinsweaters. 

But the clothing isn’t just for taking cute pictures. There are an increasing number of products designed for keeping your pets warm in cold weather, including options for shoes and booties to protect your pets’ paw pads from walks in frigid temperatures and urban areas. But are these things really necessary? 

How Cats Keep Warm

You might have noticed that most cats come with their own fur coats; it’s kind of their thing. Evolution has provided them with the perfect way to keep warm in their respective environments – cats from colder climates, like the Norwegian Forest Cat, have luxurious pelts and a dense undercoat. Even cats who don’t have a double coat like those bred for freeze-prone locales still have dense fur coats that help keep their body temperature regulated at their normal range of 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Besides their coats providing them with an obvious way to keep warm in cold weather, it’s your job to provide them with a temperate indoor space in which to shelter from all crappy weather conditions. Try not to take them outside in cold or wet weather!  

The Problem with Coats

When it comes right down to it, clothing on cats can be problematic. Something as restrictive of a sweater or a coat can force your cat to walk oddly – they can’t necessarily move naturally or easily in sweaters, which could result in them hurting themselves if the coat gets hung up on an obstacle while they’re jumping, or if they misjudge a leap because of the garment. Even if they don’t get hurt, save your cat from embarrassment! You don’t want to be the cause of their “I meant to do that!” walk of shame.  

Coats can also interfere with your cat regulating their body temperature, leading to overheating – which could lead to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. These are very dangerous conditions and could have fatal results so, in general, it’s best to skip the cute outfit for longer than a few minutes.  

When Cats Might Need Clothes

That being said – and as long as your cat is comfortable with it – there are some times when an adorable sweater might be appropriate.  

Going Outside

If it’s a snowy or wet day outside, we generally don’t recommend walking your cat. If you’re going to do it, anyway – maybe they enjoy a little playtime in the snow – it may be useful to put a light sweater or coat on your cat to keep them warmer during the outing. You may also wish to protect their paw pads from gravel or other dangers with cat-friendly shoes (if your cat tolerates them). Keep your cat on a harness, be sure to expose them to frigid temperatures for only a short time, and keep their comfort as your top priority. 

Hairless

There are hairless breeds of cat, like the Sphynx, who may sometimes need a little extra insulation against the cold. Talk to your vet about when this might be appropriate; even “naked” cats have an excellent body heat-regulation system.  

Anxiety

Some cats suffer from anxiety, and this could lead to over-grooming which can cause its own set of problems (including bowel obstruction). When it’s also difficult to keep your anxious cat from over-grooming through shaving them, you might put them in shirts. Not coats or sweaters.  

Post-Surgery

The Cone of Shame isn’t always the best way to keep your pet from licking their incisions post-surgery. Some folks swear by shirts (often bought from the infant section of your local department store) to keep their kitties away from their stitches. Again, regular shirts. Not coats or sweaters.  

So, we ask again, do cats need coats? Generally, no. They don’t need one you buy for them; they made their own.