Keeping a Senior Cat Warm and Comfortable Through Winter

Why old cats seek heat

Senior cats have thinner coats, less body fat and slower circulation, and cold makes arthritic joints measurably stiffer. That's why your old cat migrates to sunbeams, laptops and your lap the moment temperatures drop — it's therapy, not neediness.

The warm bed formula

A padded, high-sided bed raised slightly off cold floors, away from drafts and doorways, in a spot with morning sun if you can manage it. Self-heating thermal beds work well. If you use an electric pet heat pad, choose a low-temperature pet-specific one with a chew-safe cord.

South African winters count

Johannesburg's sub-zero winter nights in unheated houses are exactly the conditions that flare senior arthritis. On cold snaps, expect stiffer mornings, slower movement and more sleep — and consider moving the bed to the warmest room overnight.

When cold-seeking becomes a sign

A senior cat pressed constantly against heat sources, or one whose ears and paws feel cold to the touch, may be dealing with more than the weather — hyperthyroid cats and cats with kidney disease often struggle to hold body temperature. Persistent extreme heat-seeking is worth mentioning at the next checkup.