Things Are Heating Up!

Welcome to Tuesday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll discuss the risks of heatstroke in cats and talk about how to keep your cat cool as summer starts to heat up.

Learn more on Cats.com:

It’s Getting Hot In Here.

When I moved back home after college, I found myself shopping around for a new veterinarian.

One warm summer day I had my two cats, Bagel and Munchkin, loaded up in the car to check out the vet clinic near my house. It wasn’t a long drive, but at some point Bagel started panting, and I grew concerned. 

I pulled the car over to check her out and realized that she’d been sick in her carrier. Worried about heatstroke, I pulled her out of the carrier and cranked up the AC. A few minutes later she was acting fine, so we proceeded to the clinic.

It turns out Bagel just had a touch of car sickness but, ever since, I’ve been vigilant during the summer to make sure my cats aren’t overheating.

Let’s talk about heatstroke and how to spot the signs.

Recognizing The Signs of Heatstroke.

Cats love to soak up the sun with the best of them but they never seem to break a sweat.

You may be surprised to learn that cats actually do sweat a little, but it isn’t the primary way their bodies keep cool. They only have sweat glands on the hairless parts of their bodies—the paw pads, chin, and lips.

When your cat’s body isn’t able to sufficiently cool itself down, heatstroke develops. Also known as hyperthermia, heatstroke is defined by a core body temperature above 105℉.

Any cat can develop heatstroke, but certain cats have a higher risk. Overweight cats, breeds with flat faces, cats with respiratory or heart conditions, and cats with thick or heavy coats are more prone to heatstroke. So are very young, very old, and sick cats.

In the early stages of heatstroke, a cat might start to pant, become restless or agitated, or begin drooling. If the heatstroke worsens, the cat might vomit, have diarrhea, become lethargic, or collapse. In severe cases, the cat could have a seizure or go into a coma.

If you suspect heatstroke in your cat, get to a vet as soon as possible. Be aware of the signs, and when the weather warms up take steps to keep your cat cool and comfortable.

5 Ways To Keep Your Cat Cool.

We don’t all have the luxury of air conditioning but even if you do, it’s important to keep an eye on your cat as things heat up this summer. Heatstroke can develop quickly, and you don’t want to find yourself sweating it out in an emergency clinic with your cat.

Here are some simple ways to help your cat stay cool: 

1. Set your thermostat no higher than 78℉ if you have AC. If not, close your curtains during the hottest part of the day and open the windows at night to let the cool air in. 

2. Use fans for air circulation, especially if you don’t have AC. Buy a small fan to set up near your cat’s favorite sleeping spot. 

3. Make sure your cat has unlimited access to fresh water throughout the house (pet fountains are great for this). Drop in some ice cubes if the water gets too warm.

4. Brush your cat frequently to remove loose hair from their coat that could prevent their body from cooling itself naturally.

5. Buy your cat a cooling mat to lie on—this is particularly helpful if your home doesn’t have cool floor surfaces like tile. 

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A sneak peek at Friday's Newsletter.

If you’re tired of finding cat litter all over your house, you won’t want to miss Friday’s mailer. In it, we discuss the qualities that make certain cat litter products low-tracking. You’ll even see our top recommendations for the best low-tracking litters.