How to keep your cat warm this winter

Autumn is well underway, and if you're in Melbourne like I am, it honestly already feels like winter. The extra blankets are coming out. It's cosy season.

Cats have their own built-in coat, which helps, but they still feel the cold. Most of them are pretty good at seeking out warmth on their own (if yours has already claimed your spot on the couch, you know what I mean), but there's still a bit you can do to make their winter more comfortable.

Here's what I've found actually makes a difference.

Get them off the floor

Cold air sinks. Floors, especially tiles or floorboards, are the coldest part of most rooms. If your cat is sleeping on the floor in winter, they're basically lying in the coldest spot in the house.

Most cats will find their way up somewhere on their own anyway, but giving them a dedicated bed somewhere elevated means they have a warm, comfortable spot that's actually theirs.

On the couch, a spare chair, a low bench or footstool, a window sill. Anything that gets them up off the ground.

Find the warmest spot in your home

A warm bed in a draughty spot is still a cold spot.

A sunny window on a winter afternoon is one of the best positions going. Cats know this already (yours has probably already found the warmest patch of sun in the house), but positioning their bed there makes it official. A sheltered corner that catches the afternoon light, away from gaps under doors or windows, is another good option.

Because the Solace Aura bed is soft rather than rigid, it tucks into most spots easily. Worth trying a few positions to see where your cat actually gravitates.

Natural materials make a real difference

The more I actually understood what "temperature regulation" meant (that the fibres trap warmth when it's cold but breathe and release it when it's warm), the cooler it became. It's just one of the reasons I choose to work with merino wool.

Merino keeps warmth in during winter, but it also breathes in summer so your cat isn't roasting in it once the weather heats back up. Don't let its soft and fluffy looks deceive you. As much as it's a great winter purchase, they'll love it year round.

When in doubt, just let them sit on you

If your cat is cold and you're wondering what you can do, the answer is probably just: be there. Cats are excellent at finding the warmest spot in the room, and very often that spot is you. Most cats will seek out body warmth on their own when the temperature drops.

You're both warmer for it. 🤍

Handmade from 100% merino wool in Melbourne, the Solace Aura cat bed is designed to keep your cat warm in winter and cool in summer. If you're looking for a bed that does more than just look good, shop here.