Factors That Determine Your Pet’s Ideal Temperature

Beyond daily feeding and grooming, pet owners should be aware that having a pet comes with unforeseen responsibilities, such as maintaining the quality of indoor air and adjusting the thermostat. It is important to note that there isn’t one perfect temperature setting for all pets in all seasons. Each pet will require different temperatures to be comfortable. However, several factors help determine whether your cat or dog will do better in cooler or warmer temperatures.Coat type
If your pet has a thick, long coat, they will likely be more cold-tolerant, and often overheat quickly. If your pet has short, thin fur, though, it won’t be able to retain body heat as well and will need warmer temperatures.

Size
Smaller pets struggle to maintain heat, while larger pets maintain heat better but can overheat very quickly.

Weight
Overweight pets have a thicker insulating layer to protect against the cold. However, don’t let this fact justify owning obese pets!

Age and health
Very young and older pets will require warmer temps, as will animals with acute illnesses or chronic joint issues.Now that you know what affects the ideal temperature for pets, you are probably asking, what is the ideal temperature for pets?

In general, you should set the thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees F when you’re at home in the summer. If you have a large, long-haired dog, such as a Husky or Samoyed, around 75 degrees may be best.

Since a cat’s body temperature is only slightly higher than a human’s, it follows to reason that, if you’re comfortable with the temperature of your home, your cat likely is as well. Ideally, aim for a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F, with 70 degrees F being the goal.