Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/7-cold-weather-cat-breeds/

As cooler weather begins to arrive, many of us find that the chill in the air is a bit difficult to ignore. While a good many cats are the same way, there are some breeds that are fairly impervious to the cold. While that doesn’t mean they should be outside in chilly temperatures on a regular basis, the following cats may not mind checking out a dusting of snow.

Himalayan Cat

Himalayan cats are known to be gentle, playful, and easygoing. They’re even easygoing about the cold. That’s because they have long, thick double coats that give them so much volume, they could be a shampoo commercial. These handsome cats are very affectionate, too, enjoying a good pet. This also means they’re up for grooming, which is essential with this breed. A daily comb should help keep their fur in check.

Maine Coon

Maine Coons, the sociable gentle giants of the cat world, are pretty fluffy. As a result, it’s not surprising that these bushy-tailed floofs come equipped with tools to keep them warm. In fact, they may even lower the indoor temperature, like this smart Maine Coon who thought it was a bit warm inside. The breed has a semi-longhaired dense coat that is both waterproof and protects from cold. While nature’s engineering is impressive with these cats, and their glorious coat is also lovely to look at, work is required to keep the fluff in check. A regular grooming routine with a comb or brush is recommended to keep them from matting.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Another big softie sure to love on its people is the Norwegian Forest Cat. Much like the Maine Coon, it’s got some fluff that is up to the task of keeping a cat warm. The breed has a thick double coat that repels water on the outside and provides some wooly insulation on the inside. This makes them more comfortable in the cold than many cat breeds. Not surprising, as Norway, their country of origin, can be a bit nippy. Their fur also requires some work, though. Be sure to comb it regularly, especially during shedding seasons.

Russian Blue

While they may not be as fluffy as some of the other felines on this list, the Russian Blue is also pretty well-equipped to face the cold. This intelligent, playful breed has a beautiful coat, marked by its silver-tipped guard hairs. Though their coat is short, it is also dense and double-layered, with an insulating undercoat. The grooming needs aren’t all that high with this breed, and they don’t shed much, but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a good brush from their human.

Scottish Fold

Another cat that doesn’t have quite the fur volume of some of these other felines, but can still manage well in the cold, is the Scottish Fold. It has a dense coat that causes the fur to stand away from the body, providing a fair bit of protection from those chilly temperatures. These smart, sweet, and easygoing cats would also be up for some high-quality grooming time with their favorite human, even if it isn’t as essential as it may be with other cats.

Siberian Cat

Surviving Russian winters has to give a cat some street cred, huh? That’s what the Siberian cat has done historically, with the breed believed to date back at least 1,000 years to the forests of Siberia. These intelligent cats, known for their ability to learn a trick or two, boast a triple coat. That includes an outer coat of coarse guard hairs, a thin and wavy middle layer, and a wooly undercoat that provides insulation. These easygoing cats will also be up for the light grooming that’s needed to keep that hardy coat in tip-top shape. That is, when they’re not demanding food, like this annoyed Siberian.

Turkish Angora

A cat with a deceptively hardy coat is the Turkish Angora, which has long, silky, gorgeous fur. While this fur lacks an undercoat, it kept the breed’s ancestors warm in the mountainous region of Turkey. This playful cat, which loves to remind everyone that it’s the boss of the house, sheds in the summer to keep cool. In the winter, though, its fur grows in thicker and longer, and its tail becomes even fluffier. Despite the protection the fur provides against the cold, though, it is easier to groom due to the lack of undercoat. The breed should still be brushed fairly regularly.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog