In this article
Can cats overheat? Ways cats keep cool tips to help your cat cool
See 2 More +
Less –
Due to their desert resident ancestors, cats are often not assumed to be affected by hot weather. While their normal body temperature is higher than our own – 101.0 ° F to 102.5 ° F – Cats are not better at dealing with too hot weather than humans are. Cats also risk overheating or developing heat flow, especially if they do not have a way to cool down.
We put together this guide to teach you how to recognize the signs of overheating in cats. On hot days, keep an eye on your cat and give lots of cool areas in which they can shelter.
Can cats overheat?
Cats can be incredibly self -sufficient. They stay clean, find the hottest place to stay comfortable and even stay cool in the summer. However, their self -sufficiency has a disadvantage. It makes it easy for us to think that cats are not bothered by the heat at all.
While less likely to jump in a cold swimming pool to cool off, cats have their own ways of staying comfortable.
Unfortunately, overheating cats can and can. Despite their higher body temperature, they are just as bad at dealing with long, hot summers as we are. There are also times when they can overestimate how well they can handle the heat or even how long they have used outside.
Overheating is as dangerous for cats as it is for us, and you will need to pay attention to the following signs to know when you need to help your cat cool down:
- Dark-red gums
- Elevated temperature
- Settlement
- Breathing
- Quick heart beat
- Restlessness
- Vocalization
If you notice these signs, you may need to call or visit a veterinarian to make sure your cat is not suffering from dehydration or severe hetic stroke.
If you need to talk to a veterinarian but can’t get to one, go over to Pangovet. It’s an online service where you can Talk to a veterinarian online And get the advice you need for your pet – all at an affordable price!
The 4 ways cats keep cool
Cats have the ability to look after themselves, and this includes knowing how to stay cool. They may need help from you every now and then, but here are a few ways that cats regulate their temperature.
1. Grooming
Cleaning their fur is not the only reason why cats always care for themselves. In the summer, you may notice that your cat is careful much more often. Although not proven to be the case, some have suggested that it may be a way for them to stay cool as the saliva they spread on their fur can help with thermoregulation.
2. Breathing
Cats will pant, just like dogs do to cool down, but it’s not one of the first solutions they try. Usually, when you notice your cat is breathing, it’s because they’re already too hot. While dogs will always trousers to cool down, it is often a bad sign when cats do. If you see your cat panting, help them cool down.
3. Sleeping more
One of the ways that cats self -regulate their temperature is by limiting movement or braking on days of extreme weather. For example, if your cat is cold, they find somewhere hot – like your lap – and curls together in a small ball to preserve heat.
Similarly, in the summer, cats have strategies to stay cool. While they are much less likely to seek out you as a cool place – the boxes are just too hot! – Your cat will find a nice shady place and stretch out for a nap. You will probably find your cat to sleep through the hottest hours of the day and then wake up and get up to their usual evil in the evening when it is cooler.
4th sweat
Unlike humans, cats do not sweat all over their bodies. They only have sweat glands in their paws. Although cats can sweat over excess heat through their paws, they do not release enough moisture to cool down as we do.
The 5 tips to help your cat cool
Regulating their body temperature is something that all cats can do and they are usually pretty good at it. If they get too hot, they move to a shady place or drink water. However, there are times when they need help to cool down properly, or they risk developing hersecosts.
Here are a few tips for hot summer days to help your cat stay cool.
1. Keep the house cool
We all like to take advantage of AC when it’s hot and your cat can also take advantage of the cool air. You don’t have to make the house colder than you normally would; The temperature that is comfortable for you is typically perfect for cats. As long as your home is cooler than outside, your cat does not risk overheating.
If you do not have air conditioning or in the event of a power outage, you can cool the house a little by closing the curtains or blinds on windows facing the sun. It will not be as effective as AC, but you prevent the sunlight from heating the inside of your home.
2. Keep them indoors
As a rule of thumb, if it’s too hot for you outside, it’s probably too hot for your cat too. If you have an outdoor cat or go your cat on a leash, keep them in for the hottest part of the day. This way you keep them away from the worst of the weather.
Your outdoor cat will probably retreat indoors if they get too hot outside, but it’s far more safe to only let them out when cooled. This can also save their paws from burning on hot asphalt or concrete if you live in an industrialized area.
3. Supplies clean drinking water
Free access to clean drinking water is important throughout the year, but it is even more important in hot summers. Cats often drink more when they are hot to cool down and they are likely to go through the contents of their water bowl faster than usual.
Keep an eye on that And top it up when it gets low to make sure your cat always has access to Clean water. There are also outdoor bowls designed to keep the water cool for hours if you want to give a refreshing drink to any of the stray cats in your neighborhood.
Our favorite cat water fountain
Make sure your cat drinks enough water can require some creativity and the right fountain choice! A nicely manufactured product such as Hepper’s cat water fountain with stainless steel will encourage your cat to remain hydrated by providing fresh, liquid water. We especially like this model because it is easy to clean and offer excellent triple filtration, multiple flow modes and a large capacity.
Cheering stainless steel cat water fountain
- Premium 304 -Class Stainless Steel – This Metal Kattal Water Fountain is hygienic, with superior …
- Seren & Healthy Cat Drinking Fountain Experience – With Whisper -quiet Pumping & An Advanced …
- Say goodbye to dehydration – give your cat a constant source of liquid water with this …
At Catster we have been admiring cheer for many years and decided to take a controlling stake so we could take advantage of the excellent design of this cool cat company!
4. Supplies shady areas
Your cat is not the only one who is likely to suffer in the heat; The stray cats in your neighborhood will too. While your pet can run indoors when they get too hot, it is more likely that stray cats will keep themselves. Along with leaving a water bowl outside, you can also ensure that there are shady areas in your garden. These will give wild cats – or even your neighbor wandering cats – a place to sit to recover from the heat before continuing on the way.
5. Use a cool damp towel
If you live in an area that gets extremely hot in the summer and your cat was out of too long, or a power outage means you don’t have AC, try using cool, wet towels. However, be careful with this idea. You will need cool water as ice -cold water can have the opposite effect and slow down how quickly your cat is cooled.
While your cat may not like this tip very much, you can place the cool towels on your cat’s neck, chest and groin to cool them down.
Conclusion
Sunbating on a summer day is something that both people and cats enjoy doing. However, that is not the only thing we have in common. Cats are also prone to overheat if they are out in the sun for too long.
Keep an eye on signs like breathing to know when your cat is too hot. You can cool them by keeping them indoors with AC, delivering lots of cool drinking water and putting cool, damp towels on their body.
Highlighted Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
The post can a cat overheat? Vet approved signs and how to help them by the Catster Editorial Team first appeared at Catster. Copying over entire articles violates copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for so that they are not considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued to share just the first paragraph of an article and then link to the rest of the play at Catster.com.