Why are cats more afraid of the cold than dogs?

Many cats are afraid of the cold, but why are cats more afraid of it than dogs?

A friend gave me a cat by chance.

This is my first time getting a cat, and it's freezing cold. They say cats love warmth, but even though they have thick fur, I'm still a little worried about the sudden change in temperature causing them discomfort.

Whether it's a chubby breed like Garfield or a Chinese native cat like the Tabby, they all are very cold-shy.

I'm curious, why are cats and dogs so different on this issue?

Meow: I feel like I've grown a layer of fake fur. Sometimes, even in winter, I still feel cold...

Wang: Haha, maybe I'm just cold-resistant, making winter even more intense! A dog's size and the thickness of its fur determine its cold tolerance.

This factor is largely dependent on region.

In the cold north, dogs are generally large and have thick fur, such as Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, and Tibetan Mastiffs, which are guaranteed to survive. Dogs in the south are mostly small and have short fur, because the warm and humid climate allows for easy heat dissipation and reduces the risk of rheumatism.

But what about cats?

Cats in the north and south have very little physical difference in appearance. With the exception of a few specialized breeds that live in colder regions, the length of fur of nearly all cats is similar.

A cat's coat is primarily composed of a single outer hair and several secondary hairs within each follicle. In simple terms, this means that a cat's coat has too few layers and poor insulation, resulting in a low winter tolerance, leading to a "9 out of 10 cats feel the cold" situation.

For domestic cats, ensuring a safe winter is crucial.

Fellow cat owners, find ways to keep your cat warm!