Your cat’s ears are amazing. Not only do they hear better than ours, but they’re far more mobile. So, as well as picking up on the slightest rattle of treats in the packet, your kitty’s ears can give you an insight into their mood. But what does it mean if your cat’s ears are cold? Listen up, because we’re about to find out!
All about your cat’s ears
While undeniably soft and furry, our fluffy friends’ ears aren’t just there to look cute! They play a key role in helping our moggies to hide, communicate, and hunt. Cats have a much wider hearing range than we do, from approximately 48Hz to 85kHz.(1) That means they can detect sounds at far higher frequencies than us (like the squeak of a mouse) without sacrificing the ability to catch low-frequency noises. In fact, they have a special resonating chamber that extends their hearing range down by an extra octave. That means the lowest pitch your moggy is able to hear is close to the lowest pitch you can perceive.
An especially interesting feature of feline ears is their capability to pinpoint the location a sound is coming from. Your cat has an astonishing 32 muscles in each ear (ours don’t even reach double digits). This enables them to rotate their ears 180 degrees independently, telling them exactly where a predator or their prey is. Our kitties also have highly sensitive and developed inner ears, which is why they have such amazing balance and agility!
Even the tufts of fur inside your pet’s ears have a purpose. Known as ‘ear furnishings’, they can pick up sound vibrations, further improving our moggies’ hearing. And as a bonus, they help prevent dust, mites, and other debris from getting into their ears. So don’t be tempted to trim them!
Part of being a good cat parent is checking your fur baby’s ears for signs of dirt, infection, or other issues. If you spot symptoms like discharge, redness, or a bad odour, you should take your pet to the vet. But what if your cat’s ears are cold?
Why are my cat’s ears cold?
Cats naturally have a higher body temperature than humans, and their ears should feel slightly warm to us. However, there are a few possible reasons why your cat’s ears are cold to the touch. Perhaps the most obvious one is that they’re in a cold environment. They might have been outside in chilly weather, or in a room that’s draughty or has strong air conditioning. One of the ways that our kitties regulate their temperature is through their ears. When they’re cold and need to conserve body heat, they constrict their blood vessels. This decreases blood flow to their extremities – like their ears – to concentrate warmth in their core.
If your cat’s ears are cold because of the ambient temperature, you should notice other signs that they’re feeling chilly. The main ones are seeking out hot spots in the house and curling up in a ball to keep cosy. In most cases, this isn’t a problem, and their ears will warm up as they do. We’ve got some top tips on how to help your pet get snug below!
Another potential explanation for why your cat’s ears are cold is that they’re resting. When your moggy is chilling out or sleeping, their metabolism slows down. And similar to when the environment is chilly, their body directs blood flow to their core. This can result in their ears feeling cooler than normal.
As well as being on the outside of their body, your kitty’s ears also have a thinner layer of fur. That means they’re usually one of the first places to lose heat. But when should you be worried if your cat’s ears are cold?
When cold ears could signal a health problem
While it’s not necessarily a cause for concern if your cat’s ears are cold, it can be an indication of an underlying medical issue. One such possibility is hypothermia, which occurs when your pet’s body temperature falls dangerously low. For example, this could happen if they’ve been out in freezing weather for too long. Symptoms of the condition include lethargy, shivering, slow breathing and heart rate, pale gums, confusion, and clumsiness. If you notice any of these signs, take your fur baby to the vet straight away.
Another potential health-related reason why your cat’s ears are cold is poor circulation. This could be due to a number of factors, including heart disease, high blood pressure, shock, and anaemia. Shock may arise because of an allergic reaction, exposure to toxins, infection, underlying illness, or trauma. Poor circulation can even result from nutritional deficiencies (in particular, a lack of an essential amino acid called taurine).
In all these cases, it’s highly unlikely that the only symptom would be that your cat’s ears are cold. For example, cardiomyopathy may cause loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, blood clots, heart murmurs, weakness, and collapse. So, if the only issue you’ve noticed is that your kitty’s ears are chilly, don’t panic! Unless there are other warning signs or behavioural changes, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Having said that, if your fluffy friend’s ears don’t warm up when they get cosy, it might be wise to take them for a checkup. There are some illnesses that don’t have obvious symptoms, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Checking for signs of illness
If you notice that your cat’s ears are cold, the first thing to do is try to warm your kitty up. The second is to look for any other symptoms of health problems. For instance, it’s a good idea to find out if other parts of your moggy’s body are chilly too. Cold limbs and paws may be signs of conditions like shock, heart disease, or a clot cutting off blood supply to the legs. Your vet can check your pet’s core body temperature if necessary.
Other physical symptoms that might indicate an underlying medical issue include sneezing, fever, pale gums, panting, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If your pet has been outside in freezing weather for a long time, frostbite is a possibility too. Signs of this condition are swelling, blisters, ulcers, and pain in the affected area. As well as being cold, their skin may be fragile, discoloured (usually grey or blue), blackened, or dead.
It's also important to keep an eye on your feline friend’s behaviour. If you notice them feeling lethargic, losing their appetite, hiding away, or not grooming as much, book a vet appointment. The same applies if your pet becomes more aggressive, louder or quieter than normal, or unusually clingy.
That covers the second action point, so let’s return to the first. If your cat’s ears are cold, what’s the most effective way to warm them up?
How to keep your cat warm and cosy
Ideally, you don’t want your kitty to get too chilly in the first place. When temperatures drop below freezing, experts recommend keeping your moggy inside. And remember that if you have a kitten or senior feline, their tolerance for the wintry weather will be lower. Fortunately, if your fluffy friend does get cold, there are simple steps you can take to warm them up.
For example, always make sure there are warm, dry, snuggly spots for your cat to curl up in. Popular options include igloo beds, heated beds, and beds that hook over the radiator. And if your feline is a fan of boxes (aren’t they all!), try lining one with blankets. Place it away from draughts and in direct sunlight if possible.
Another top tip is to encourage your moggy to play when the mercury drops. They’ll generate more body heat when moving around, which can help to keep the cold at bay. And our personal favourite option is to snuggle up together to share warmth!
If your cat has been outside in the rain or snow, dry them off with a towel when they come back inside. That’s assuming they’re happy for you to do so! Animals feel the cold more if their fur is damp, so this can make a big difference. There’s usually no need for cats to wear clothes to stay warm, and they might even find it stressful. However, if your pet is old, unwell, or a hairless breed, it may be worth trying on very cold days.
Finally, make sure your moggy has an indoor litter tray so they don’t have to go outside to do their business in harsh weather.
Supporting your cat’s health through nutrition
We mentioned above that nutritional deficiencies are one potential reason why your cat’s ears are cold. Feeding your pet a complete and balanced diet helps ensure they get all the nutrients they need to be healthy. Experts advise giving cats both wet and dry food, because they each have their own advantages for wellbeing. In addition, our feline friends are obligate carnivores. This means they require certain nutrients that they can only obtain from meat – including taurine.
For extra peace of mind, you have the option of adding wholesome toppings to your pet’s grub. For instance, that could be cooked fish, unseasoned boiled eggs, fresh blueberries, or steamed broccoli. And here at Boosie, we offer functional foods specifically designed to support animal wellbeing. These include Jerusalem artichoke powder for gut health and sea buckthorn oil to care for their fur and skin. Alternatively, you could try ashwagandha powder to help tackle inflammation and reduce the negative effects of stress.(2)
If your cat’s ears are cold, should you heat up their food? You can, but it isn’t necessary. Our feline companions normally prefer to eat their dinner at room temperature or body temperature. Research suggests that older moggies with decreased food intake find warm meals more appetising.(3) This is probably because it improves the aroma and flavour profile. So if your kitty is chilly, you could try adding a splash of warm (not hot) water to their bowl.
How to judge your cat’s mood by their ears
Temperature isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to when it comes to your cat’s ears! The movement and position of those fuzzy little triangles also have some important information to convey. Here’s a quick primer:
-
If your kitty’s ears are upright and facing forward in a relaxed way, it indicates that they’re happy or playful. A more alert version of this position suggests curiosity.
-
When your moggy’s ears are rotated to the side or backwards, it may imply that they’re feeling stressed.
-
A cat with their ears pinned far back is probably scared or aggressive. The further back and flatter their ears are, the more frightened they are likely to be.
-
When kitties are unwell, they sometimes hold their ears low or rotate them to the side.
-
Cats also turn their ears to pinpoint the location of a sound. So, if you see your moggy’s ears moving, they may be gathering information about a noise in their environment. Conversely, if your kitty’s ears are twitching in their sleep, they’re probably dreaming!
Of course, ear movement and position are only one aspect of a cat’s body language. To really understand how your fluffy friend is feeling, you need to look at what their eyes, tail, and whiskers are doing too, as well as the sounds they’re making. That way, you’ll get a complete picture of your pet’s mood!
So… what should I do if my cat’s ears are cold?
In most cases, there’s no cause for alarm if your cat’s ears are cold. It’s usually a chilly environment that makes cat ears cold, so start by warming your pet up. If their ears stay frosty, check for other symptoms of illness and behavioural changes. Cold ears may be a sign of more serious conditions such as hypothermia, heart disease, shock, and poor circulation. As such, it’s best to take your moggy to the vet if you have any concerns. You can also implement preventative measures, like feeding your cat a healthy diet to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Ensuring they get plenty of mental and physical exercise helps too, as does limiting their exposure to low temperatures. Plus, of course, lots of love and cuddles!
