This One Simple Thing Will Keep Your Cat Safe From Heatstroke
As temperatures hit record highs, it’s important to keep your animal companions safe from the heat. Serious conditions like heatstroke and heat exhaustion can occur in cats and all other animals. The best thing you can do to protect your cat is to always keep them indoors with the rest of the family, where they can stay out of the heat, humidity, and sun.
Here’s what you should know about heatstroke in cats and how you can prevent it.
What Is Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a serious condition that occurs when a cat’s body temperature exceeds about 104 degrees, which can occur any time they’re exposed to high temperatures. Heat exhaustion, when the body is unable to cool itself effectively, occurs before heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and immediate action is necessary if you believe that your cat is overheated.
Causes of Heatstroke in Cats
Once the temperature hits 80 degrees outside, cats can be at risk for heatstroke. Though heatstroke is most often seen in cats left inside hot cars or outdoors in hot temperatures, it can also occur in cats who live indoors if there’s no power or air conditioning in the home on a hot day.
How to Prevent Heatstroke in Cats
Heatstroke is entirely preventable. Keeping your cats indoors at a comfortable temperature is a surefire way to prevent your cat from being exposed to excessive heat. However, you should never leave your cats unattended indoors when you go on trips. If your power or air conditioning goes out on a hot day, your cat could suffer from heatstroke while inside your home. Ask a trusted friend to watch them or hire a reputable cat sitter who can keep a close eye on the temperature, provide them with fresh food and water, and scoop the litterbox at least twice a day.
Some cats may enjoy spending supervised time outside with a harness and leash or in a “catio,” but it’s unsafe for them to be outside on hot days. Avoid taking them outside or letting them use the catio if the temperature is above 80 degrees. If you’re hot, your cat is even hotter. Avoid hot pavement, which may be dangerous for their sensitive paws, and keep them in the shade or on grassy areas.
Treating Heatstroke in Cats
Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. If you suspect that your cat is experiencing it, seek immediate veterinary care. The following symptoms can indicate that a cat is suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
- A body temperature of 104 degrees or higher
- Panting, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Lethargy, collapse, and an inability to walk or stand up
- Disorientation
- Darkened gums and tongue
- A rapid heartbeat
- Sweaty paws
- Drooling, with thick saliva
- Tremors or seizures
You can start the cooling process while you make your way to the vet by bringing your cat into a cool, air-conditioned area and applying a cool (not ice-cold), damp towel to their back, under their stomach, and on their paw pads and ears. Offer them water to drink.
Never Let Your Cat Roam Alone: Keep Them Inside or Supervise Them When Outside
Keeping your cats indoors protects them from heatstroke and ensures that they stay safe from other dangers outside, including cars, other animals, cruel people, and diseases. It also helps keep wildlife safe from “outdoor cats,” who kill birds and other animals in massive numbers.
Check out our tips on keeping cats enriched inside and allowing them to explore the outdoors with your supervision in a secure enclosure or with a leash and harness.
