Cats are only able to lose heat by sweating from their nose and paws and panting. They are therefore highly susceptible to overheating. You should watch out for signs of heat exhaustion particularly if your cat is panting heavily and appears distressed on a hot day or after exercise. Short nosed cats, older and overweight cats are particularly susceptible to getting over heated and out of breath when exercising.
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion:
- Rapid, heavy panting
- Salivating
- Fast breathing, fast weak pulse, raised body temperature
Heat exhaustion occurs when their temperature rises over 39.3 and heat stroke over 41 degrees C.
Prevention
- Make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times. Carry water and a bowl with you on walks.
- Remember to have fresh water accessible on the beach too as drinking sea water will make them ill.
- On hot days, walk your cat during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening
- Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy and if necessary, stop, find a shady spot and give your cat water.
- Never leave your cat (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open.
Treatment
- Get urgent Veterinary advice.
- Apply copious amounts of tepid water gently all over the cat and if available position near a fan to aid cooling.
- Ensure they have easy access to drinking water.
- Transport the cat to the Vet with car windows open and/or put the air conditioning on.
- NEVER immerse the cat in icy water as you may put them into shock.
Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke is a very serious condition when the body’s temperature control mechanism fails and their temperature keeps rising to dangerously high levels – beyond 40C!
Signs and symptoms
- A very high temperature> 41degrees
- Panting and heavy laboured breathing
- Salivating, drawing back gums to expose more mucosal membrane
- Deep red sticky gums
- Have diarrhoea and vomiting
- Confused, restless and could start fitting.
- Fast breathing, fast weak pulse, raised body temperature
- Collapse
Cats can suffer fatal heat stroke within minutes as unlike humans, cats can’t sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat by sweating through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool.
HEAT STROKE IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS – GET VETERINARY HELP FAST
If you imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer’s day, and you’ll understand why cats succumb to heat stroke so easily.
NEVER muzzle a cat experiencing heat stroke as they will need to be able to pant.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.