Beating the Heat – Protecting your Cat from Extreme Temperatures

The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage--at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you need to know more about it, here's your opportunity.

Cats are very susceptible to becoming overheated.  Think about it for a minute – they spend their entire day walking around inside a heavy fur coat, even on very hot days.  A cat that is not accustomed to the outdoors is particularly susceptible to becoming overheated.  If this happens, the cat runs the risk of having a heatstroke.

A cat that is acclimated to the outdoors is more likely to be able to handle excessive heat.  Nonetheless, all cats can have problems if the weather becomes to hot and they don’t have a means to cool down.

Signs of Heat Problems

Cats show many different signs of trouble when they become overheated.  For example, a cat may begin panting rapidly.  Eventually, it may even become unresponsive.  In addition, the cat’s gums may turn bright red when it becomes too hot.  If the cat begins to vomit excessively or have diarrhea, it may be overheated.  To test for heat trouble on a cat, the pet owner can gently pinch the scruff of the neck.  If the scruff stays in an upright position after being pinched, it is getting dehydrated.

If a cat is experiencing heat stroke, it may also be lethargic and have difficulty getting up and down.  In addition, its body temperature may become very high.  A cat that is experiencing heat stroke may even have seizures or seem depressed.

Treating an Overheated Cat

The best way to treat an overheated cat is prevention.  If, however, it does become overheated and shows any of these discussed symptoms, it should be taken to the vet immediately.  While the cat is being transported to the vet, a damp towel should be wrapped around it to help cool it down.  In addition, a water bottle with a mixture of water and Bach’s rescue remedy is good to have on hand.  This mixture should be sprayed on the cat if it begins to have a heat stroke because it will help to lessen the cat’s stress.

If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

Before taking the cat to the vet, it might be a good idea to bring it inside and give it cool water to drink and a cool bath to initially bring its body temperature down.  With true heat stroke, it can be difficult to reverse the physiological effects.  In many cases, the cat will require an IV of fluids and intensive monitoring and treatment.

Preventing Overheating

The main way to prevent overheating for outdoor cats is to be sure plenty of fresh water is available and that shaded areas are accessible to the cat.  Fresh water is particularly important for cats, as they generally have little trouble finding a shaded area.

For indoor cats, temperatures can still become excessive.  Of course, the best option is to have air conditioning in the home in order to keep both the owner and the cat cool.  If this isn’t a possibility, indoor fans can offer the ventilation necessary to keep the cat cool.  Ceiling fans are ideal, as cats can knock down floor fans.  In addition, cats can usually easily stick their paws through the screen of floor fans.  If a floor fan is the only option, it should be secured in some fashion and placed in an area difficult for the cat to reach, such as being mounted to the wall.

For both indoor and outdoor cats with long hair, it might be a good idea to trim the cat’s fur in the summer to help keep it cool.  In addition, a black cat is at greater risk of overheating than a white cat because the black fur absorbs heat. 

In addition to having several dishes of water available for outside cats, it can also be a good idea to place piles of ice cubes or chips outside for the cat to eat.  Or, ice cubes or chips can be placed inside the water bowls to help make the water more refreshing and to encourage the cat to drink.  A cup of Gatorade added to the bowl of water can also be helpful in keeping the cat’s electrolytes level high and preventing dehydration.

Indoor cats should have a cool place to relax.  It can be helpful to leave a little water inside bathtubs or sinks so the cat can play in the water to cool off.  Even though the cat is indoors, it is a good idea to leave more than one water bowl inside for it to drink from in order to cool down.  Also, the shades should be kept drawn to prevent outside heat from the sun from coming in.

Knowing enough about cat care to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about cat care, you should have nothing to worry about.

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