Do cats grow thicker coats during a really severe winter?

Don’t a lot of cat breeds have summer and winter coats? I imagine he’s just fluffing up because you keep throwing him out in the snow. :)

See questions on the right for proof everyone.——>

EDIT: After some quick double-checking, yes, all cats apparently have a winter coat. :)

@gailcalled hmmm, are you sure there haven’t been a few more snacks recently? Actually, I don’t know a thing about cats, but dogs do, so maybe cats do to.

Definitely not just Milo. One of our cats (the “hunter” who spends the most of his time outside but is also inside to nap and eat) weighs about 15–18lbs in the summer, but an amazing 30–32 in the winter – partly a little extra weight around the middle, but mostly fur. It doesn’t help that he’s part Maine Coon.

@dlm812: Are you sure that there is still a cat somewhere inside that 32 lbs?

@All: Milo handles his very rare snacks like a bulemic. At least he heaves where I can find it.

@As: At 0˚ I am not throwing even myself outside.

Sometimes I’m not really sure… especially when I walk up on him napping somewhere. Pretty much just looks like a big black blob. I’ve been known to accidently step on him too, when he’s curled up in a spot where he blends in a bit.

@gailcalled: It’s 8˚ here, I’m with you lady. :)

Hi Gail. I have a Norwegian Forest Cat and once had Maine Coon. Very good characters; huge armorings of fur in winter, even in relatively mild temperatures. Seasonal fur growth/shedding may be cued to darkness/light changes.

When spring comes, let’s talk about shedding.

@susanc ; Fluve for the use of the word “armorings!” I never hear of fur referred to like that.

Susanc: I saw a Maine Coon at the vet’s. He was in his carrying case with the top open. Every time we made eye contact, several seriously fluffy fluff balls floated off the cat’s back and into the ether.

“If winter’s here, can spring be far behind”? NO!.

I have read that winter coat growth (and shedding) is triggered by the length of day – shorter days leading into winter triggers coat growth. I believe it is possible that the severity of weather they are exposed to can play a role as well (I remember our barn cats having much heavier coats than my current house cats), but even indoor cats put on a heavier coat in winter than in summer.

Here’s a brief article that talks about the same thing with horses.

@gailcalled: the Maine Coon is actually not an aggressive shedder in midwinter.
You apparently set off the famous Maine Coon Lurve Response, which LOOKS like shedding but is more akin to the ultimate orgasmic response of all male mammals.
Girl. You have The Power.

True, since it was in October. (Cold enough for you?)