
Cats can and do get heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition that can lead to organ failure and death. Heatstroke occurs when a cat's body temperature rises above 104-105°F. Unlike humans, cats cannot remove layers of clothing or always move to a cooler place to regulate their body temperature. They also cannot sweat to cool down, except via their footpads, and so are less able to prevent overheating. Certain breeds, such as flat-faced cats, are more susceptible to heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include panting, restlessness, increased heart rate, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, you should act immediately and seek veterinary advice.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Body temperature | A cat's normal body temperature is around 101-102.5°F. Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises above 104-105°F. |
Causes | Exposure to excessive heat, lack of shade, trapped in a hot, unventilated space, lack of access to water, strenuous exercise, seizures or tremors, underlying health issues. |
Symptoms | Panting, drooling, sweaty paws, excessive grooming, restless behaviour, increased heart rate, red gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse, seizures, disorientation, change of colour in gums, weakness. |
Treatment | Move the cat to a cool, well-ventilated area, apply cool damp towels or water to the body, offer small amounts of water, seek immediate veterinary attention. |
Prevention | Provide access to shade, plenty of water, restrict exercise on warm days, ensure access to cool areas and ventilation, avoid hot pavements and leaving cats in cars. |
What You'll Learn
Cats get heatstroke when they can't escape the heat
Cats can and do get heatstroke, and it can be life-threatening. Unlike humans, cats cannot remove layers of clothing to cool down, nor do they always have the option to move to a cooler place or out of the sun. Cats are also unable to cool down by sweating—they can only sweat through their paw pads and noses. Therefore, they are less able to regulate their body temperature. If a cat's body temperature rises above 104°F, there is a significant release of inflammation throughout their body, which can lead to organ failure and death.
Cats get heatstroke when they are exposed to excessive ambient heat and are unable to escape the heat. This can happen when cats are left in a hot car, or when outdoor cats do not have access to shade and water. Flat-faced breeds, such as Persians, Himalayans, and Burmese, are more susceptible to heatstroke as they struggle to breathe effectively and often have difficulty panting, preventing them from cooling down. Senior cats, kittens, cats with underlying health issues, and overweight cats are also more at risk.
To prevent heatstroke in cats, it is important to ensure they always have access to shade and fresh water. On hot days, it is best to keep cats indoors with air conditioning. If your cat spends most of their time indoors, make sure they are in a climate-controlled, well-ventilated location. It is also important to help your cat avoid hot pavement, which can cause them to overheat and burn their paws.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, get them to a cool, well-ventilated area and call your veterinarian immediately. To help cool your cat down, you can apply cool, damp towels and water to their ears, paws, and belly. You can also offer them small amounts of water to drink. It is important to act quickly, as heatstroke can be life-threatening.
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Cats cool themselves by sweating through their paws and noses
Cats do not have sweat glands covering their bodies like humans do. Instead, they have eccrine glands in specific hairless areas, such as their paws, lips, chins, noses, and the skin surrounding the anus. These eccrine glands are responsible for producing sweat, which evaporates to create a cooling effect on the skin. Additionally, cats have apocrine sweat glands in their skin, which secrete an oily substance that functions as a pheromone.
The primary sites of sweating in cats are the pads of their paws and their noses. When a cat's body temperature rises, they begin to sweat from these areas, and the evaporation of sweat provides a cooling sensation, helping to lower their body temperature. However, due to the limited surface area of the paw pads, this mechanism only provides a small amount of cooling. As a result, cats employ other strategies to regulate their body heat.
One such strategy is grooming. Cats lick themselves, allowing the moisture from their saliva to evaporate and provide a cooling effect. This is particularly noticeable during the summer months when cats may be battling the heat. Additionally, cats may seek out cooler locations, such as crawling into cool dirt under a shady bush outdoors or retreating to cold basement floor tiles or air-conditioned rooms if they live indoors.
It's important to monitor your cat for signs of heatstroke, especially during warmer periods. Some early indicators of heatstroke in cats include excessive grooming, reduced urine production, panting (open-mouth breathing), and restless behaviour as they seek cooler places. As heatstroke progresses, symptoms can become more severe, including increased heart rate, change in gum colour, weakness, disorientation, muscle tremors, and seizures. If you suspect your cat is experiencing heatstroke, immediate veterinary care is required.
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Heat exhaustion is an early stage of heatstroke
It is important to recognise these early signs of heat exhaustion and act quickly to prevent heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. Heatstroke occurs when a cat's body temperature reaches 104-105°F or above. At this point, tissue damage begins to occur, and the cat develops more severe symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and collapse.
If you suspect your cat is experiencing heat exhaustion, immediately move them to a cool, air-conditioned area and offer them cool water to drink. You can also place a slightly cool, damp towel on their back and, if they allow it, under their belly.
If your cat's symptoms do not improve within 15 minutes or their condition worsens, seek immediate veterinary attention. Heatstroke can progress rapidly and lead to serious health complications, including organ failure and death.
To prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke in your cat, ensure they always have access to a cool, shaded area and plenty of fresh water. Restrict exercise on warm days, and never leave your cat in a car or a hot room without proper ventilation.
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Heatstroke can lead to organ failure and death
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that can lead to organ failure and death in cats. When a cat's body temperature rises above 104°F, there is a significant release of inflammation throughout their body. This inflammation triggers a cascade of reactions that affect all major body systems, causing the breakdown of essential proteins and enzymes. As a result, cats are at risk of organ failure and death.
Organ failure in cats with heatstroke can occur due to the breakdown of the lining of the blood vessels, which increases the risk of bleeding. Cats experiencing heatstroke may also develop cerebral edema, or brain swelling, which can be treated with a diuretic IV medication such as mannitol. Additionally, cats with heatstroke are more susceptible to sepsis, a severe whole-body infection, and antibiotics are often administered to combat this.
One of the most common causes of heatstroke in cats is being accidentally trapped in a hot, poorly ventilated space, such as a car, shed, or conservatory. Outdoor cats without adequate shade and access to water are also at high risk. Other factors that increase susceptibility to heatstroke include obesity, long hair, old age, youth, and flat-faced breeds such as Persians.
The signs of heatstroke in cats can be subtle, but they may include excessive grooming in an effort to cool themselves, reduced urine production, panting, restless behaviour, increased heart rate, change of colour in gums, weakness, disorientation, muscle tremors, and seizures. If you suspect your cat is experiencing heatstroke, it is crucial to act quickly and seek veterinary care. Move your cat to a cool area, gradually lower their body temperature, and provide frequent water.
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How to prevent heatstroke in cats
Heatstroke is a serious condition that can be life-threatening for cats. It occurs when a cat's body temperature rises above normal due to exposure to excessive heat. While cats are considered desert animals, they are just as susceptible to heatstroke as other animals and humans. Here are some tips to prevent heatstroke in cats:
Provide Access to Cool, Shady Areas: Ensure your cat has access to cool, shaded areas, both indoors and outdoors. If your cat spends most of its time indoors, make sure the area is well-ventilated and climate-controlled. Place their bed or toys in the shade if they enjoy spending time outside.
Maintain Proper Hydration: Always provide your cat with plenty of fresh, cool water to help them stay hydrated. You can also add ice cubes to their water bowl or offer them tuna water or low-sodium chicken broth to encourage hydration.
Restrict Exercise on Warm Days: Avoid strenuous exercise or outdoor activities during hot weather. If you do take your cat for walks, do so early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Grooming and Trimming: Regular grooming is essential to help your cat stay cool. Brushing their fur can remove excess hair and help them regulate their body temperature. If your cat has long fur, consider clipping it to aid in cooling. However, consult your veterinarian first, especially for cats with white or light-coloured fur, as their skin may be more susceptible to sunburn.
Wet Food and Treats: Offer your cat wet food or add water to their dry food to increase their fluid intake. You can also make frozen treats by freezing juice from their favourite meat or low-sodium broth with water and treats in an ice cube tray or muffin tin.
Avoid Hot Surfaces: Keep your cat away from hot pavements or surfaces, as they can burn their paws. Test the surface temperature by holding your hand on it; if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your cat's paws.
Never Leave Cats in Cars: Never leave your cat unattended in a parked car, even on mild days. The interior of a car can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, putting your cat at risk of heatstroke.
Monitor High-Risk Cats: Some cats are more susceptible to heatstroke than others. Senior cats, kittens, flat-faced breeds (brachycephalic), obese or overweight cats, and those with underlying health issues are at higher risk. Keep a close eye on these cats during warm weather.
Use Cooling Methods: If your cat shows signs of overheating, such as panting or restless behaviour, you can help cool them down by applying damp towels or cloths soaked in cool water to their body, avoiding their face. You can also try the evaporation method by wetting their fur with water and combining it with airflow from a fan or air conditioning.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Consult your veterinarian for advice specific to your cat's breed and health status. They can provide guidance on maintaining your cat's health during warm weather and preventing heatstroke.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cats can get heatstroke. It is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Heatstroke in cats is caused by exposure to excessive heat. This can include extremely hot outdoor temperatures, lack of access to shade or water, being trapped in a hot, unventilated space, or exercising strenuously on hot days.
Signs of heatstroke in cats can include panting, restless behaviour, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, collapse, and seizures. Some unique early signs of heatstroke in cats can be excessive grooming and reduced urine production.
If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool, well-ventilated area and apply cool, damp towels to their body. Offer them small amounts of water to drink and contact your veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic immediately.
To prevent heatstroke in your cat, ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water, shade, and cool, ventilated areas. Avoid leaving them in hot, unventilated spaces, such as cars, and be cautious when allowing them outdoors on hot days.