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By Leonie Helm
Life Reporter
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Everyone with a cat knows the habit they have of demanding you open the back door to go out, only to stand just inside with no intention of going through the door, but you have to keep it open.
This classic behavior paradigm fell by the wayside recently, however, when a cat's owner opened the door to zero degrees and snow.
In a video posted to TikTok, black and white cat Jack Spicer, "named after the poet of the same name," according to his profile, can be seen approaching the door, all dressed up in a coat and scarf.
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As his owner opens the door and reveals the snowy conditions, Jack pokes his head out, only to think better of it and return to the warm inside.
"He wanted to go outside so bad. I got him all dressed up so he could at least check it out. It's too cold for Kitty adventures though," reads the text.
Denver has been in the grip of a "strong winter storm," according to Denver 7, with over 90 hours of below freezing temperatures, dropping to a near record low of -19 degrees Fahrenheit.
"The weather in Denver, CO is frigid today. It is currently zero degrees out. He found out the hard way," reads the caption on the video.
If your cat comes and goes as they please it can be difficult to keep them warm and safe at all times when the weather gets snowy.
As a general rule, any temperature under 44 degrees Fahrenheit is considered quite cold for cats, according to Purina.
"If the temperature drops below freezing, then you should make a conscious effort to keep your cat indoors," it says. "Allowing your cat to remain outside for long periods of time in such temperatures could be detrimental to their health.
"Outdoor cats should be encouraged to keep spending time outdoors to get used to the changing weather," Hill's Pet Nutrition says. "The dropping temperature will encourage your cat's body to adapt by growing a thicker coat and building up winter immunities."
If you have an older cat, or if your pet has arthritis, the cold can may make their joints stiff and uncomfortable.
"Jumping may be difficult, so you'll need to help your cat find ways of getting to their favorite sleeping places, especially if they're high up," Hill's Pet Nutrition adds. "Consider moving a chair or other piece of furniture to make a 'ladder' so they won't have to jump as high."
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Users on TikTok shared their experiences.
"My cat wants out on the deck in -19 degrees and then gets mad at ME that it's so cold out," commented one user.
"Please make sure to let him know winter is temporary he'll be back in biz soon," said another user.
"Aww that was nice of you to at least let him see it and agree instead of wondering why not," wrote a third user.
Newsweek has reached out to @spicerjack via TikTok for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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