Here’s Why Cats Like to Hang Out in the Warmest Areas of Our Homes

Have you noticed how your cat’s body feels warmer than yours? And how they love warm things like basking in the heat of the sun, sleeping next to a radiator, and snuggling in a thick blanket?

We can be sweating profusely due to hot weather, but it’s a wonder that our feline buddies remain cool. They go on with their everyday business, undisturbed by the rising temperatures, and they sleep soundly even though everyone else is experiencing discomfort.

Why do cats enjoy extraordinary warmth?

Hepper Blog offers the following fascinating reasons:

1. Our feline buddies have a higher body temperature than humans. Yes, that’s right. Even though cats are warm-blooded like us, their average body temperature ranges from 38°C – 39.2°C (100.4°F to 102.5°F while our average body temperature ranges from 36.5°C – 37.5°C (97.7°F to 99.5°F).

   It may seem strange that there should be such a difference in body temperature between us and cats, since we are both characterized by warm-bloodedness. Is there a special need for it among cats?

   

   A higher body temperature does help cats to survive, according to 21Cats.org. They explained, “Cats have a faster metabolism than humans, which means their bodies produce more heat per unit of time than humans do. This increased metabolic rate allows cats to maintain their higher body temperatures, even in cold environments.”

   Moreover, With their thick coat of fur acting as an insulator that retains body heat, cats are able to thrive in cold regions or enjoy longer periods outdoors even though the weather is chilly.

2. An inherited and ritualistic behavior. Cats tend to seek warmth because of the way they have been raised by their moms. In their early weeks as kittens, these animals are incapable of regulating their body temperature. Hence, to keep them warm, a mother cat constantly licks her babies with her warm tongue. Growing up, cats instinctively seek warm objects to snuggle, such as the bodies of their human owners, a warm blanket, or sunlight.
3. Problem with health. If your cat keeps looking for warm or hot places more than its usual behavior, it may be a sign of sickness. Lethargy, loss of appetite, and loss of interest in the things or activities your cat usually enjoys are further indication that something is wrong. In a situation like this, it’s best to take your cat to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of whatever ails your pet.
4. A natural instinct passed on by their feline ancestors. The Library of Congress shared an interesting fact about the origin of domesticated cats: “According to a recent study by Claudio Ottoni, cat domestication took place in two strains, but all domestic cats have a common ancestor: the North African/Southwest Asian wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica (Ottoni et al., 2017). By studying ancient cat DNA from all over the world, the researchers found that cat domestication began in the Fertile Crescent (in the Neolithic period) and accelerated later in ancient Egypt (in the Classical period) (Ottoni et al., 2017).”

   These ancient wildcats had managed to survive and thrive in extreme temperatures because of the arid regions where they originated. Today’s domesticated cats, having inherited their ancestors’ penchant for heat, instinctively seek warmth for comfort, like lying on a windowsill to expose their bodies to sunlight or sleeping next to a radiator.



5. As they grow old, cats also seek warmer things. Just like aged people, senior cats become more sensitive to cold temperatures. This is why they will look for places or objects that will make them feel warmer and cozier. You will also observe how an old cat will roll its body into a ball to maintain its body temperature and rest in comfort. But, of course, it loves lying on its owner’s lap more for both warmth and affection.

Want to make life more enjoyable and comfortable for your cat? Here are more tips from Hepper Blog:

• Remove clutter from the area where sunlight shines through your home; this way your cat can fully relish its sleep in this spot.
• You can also put your cat’s pillow, blanket, or a rug in the area where sunlight is most intense.
• Installing a window perch for your cat is another great way to provide your pet with pleasure and comfort throughout the day.
• During cold weather and cold season, let your cat have its own heating pad.



• Keep your cat safe from sleeping so close to a radiator by placing a pillow at a safe distance.
• During cold days and nights, cuddling with your cat more often will help too.
• Prevent draft from reaching the area where your cat sleeps as much as possible.

Now, this adorable and savvy cat from a viral video on Tiktok knows exactly how to get the comfortable warmth he craves.

And that’s from a freshly-laundered and dried bed!

Yes, Milo smartly shows his fur mom how he wants his bed to be cleaned and freshened up in the washing machine and put in the dryer afterward.

Purr, so warm and refreshing. For Milo, life indeed can’t get any better.

@mrmilothechonk When we moved he didn’t know how to tell me he wanted his bed warmed, and it only took me washing/drying it once for him to figure it out 😂 #foryou #foryoupage #lol #comedy #viral #cats #catsoftiktok ♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger