With the weather getting warmer, it it’s important to consider our furry friends and their health and safety. Although relatively self sufficient, cats can still run the risk of dehydration and heat illness such as heat stroke. Since they can’t talk to us, it’s important that we learn to understand their behavior in order to identify when things are off.
How Do Cats Cool Themselves?
Cats dispel heat through sweat glands located on their paws and nose. They also groom themselves to wet their fur and decrease their body temperature through evaporative cooling. If they are unable to decrease their body temperature effectively or efficiently, they can develop heat illnesses like heat stroke. Heat stroke in cats (just like humans) is life threatening and, if left untreated, can lead to death. It is important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and take quick action.
Cats Most at Risk for Heat Stroke
Some cats run a higher risk of developing heat illness than other cats. These include:
- Senior cats
- Kittens
- Flat-faced cats (known as brachycephalic cats) such as Persians, Himalayans, and Scottish Folds
- Cats with preexisting health conditions
- Obese and overweight cats
- Female cats who are pregnant or nursing
Early Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke
According to the Animal Emergency Services, there are early warning signs of heat stroke in cats:
- Excessive grooming
- Reduced urine output
- Open mouth panting (unlike dogs, panting is not a normal behavior for cats)
- Restlessness
If these signs are ignored and their internal body temperature continues to rise, the can exhibit more severe signs and symptoms:
- rapid breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Change in gum color
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Collapse
- Vomiting
- Muscle tremors and seizures
Heat Stroke Treatment
If you think your cat is experiencing heat stroke, it is crucial that you take immediate action. Contact your vet immediately, as early intervention significantly increase their chances of survival. Further treatment include:
- Move your cat to a cooler location
- Gradually lower their temperature but wetting their bodies (staying away from the face). A fan could also help.
- Don’t use ice or cool them too quickly this could cause rapid vasoconstriction (closing of the blood vessels) and they could go into shock
- Encourage them to drink water. You could try adding some tuna water or low-sodium chicken stock to entice them to drink more.
Heat Stroke Prevention
You will be happy to know that heat stroke is 100% preventable. There are many options you can take to keep your cat safe and cool. If you would like some more depth info on some preventative measures you can take, you can read further here. To start:
- Make sure your cat has plenty of water. Additionally, consider giving them more wet food to increase their moisture intake
- Provide your cat with plenty of shady spots both inside and outside so they can escape the heat. Lighter colored cats have paler skin and could be more prone to sunburn
- Brush your cat frequently to prevent heat from being trapped under dead fur and skin cells
- Take them for routine check ups to make sure they do not develop conditions that could make them more at risk for heat illness.
If you think your cat could be showing signs of heat illness, please consult your vet for further evaluation.