Mary Allen
Even if many cats are sun worshipers and like it warm: On particularly hot summer days, your kitty can get too hot – and that is quite dangerous. Your animal world reveals how you can recognize heat stroke.
As descendants of the African black cats, an inhabitant of the desert, our kitties don’t really have that big a problem with the summer heat. “The comfortable temperature of cats actually only starts at 26 degrees,” says our animal world cat expert Christina Wolf.
In general, say that all cats can cope well with heat, but you can’t. It is therefore important that you watch your cat closely when it is warm. Because: Just like dogs, cats can also get heatstroke.
What is Heatstroke Anyway?
Heatstroke builds up in the body and the organism can no longer cool itself down. “The normal body temperature of cats is between 37.5 and 39 degrees,” says cat expert Jenna Stregowski from “The Spruce Pets”. “An internal body temperature over 39 degrees is considered abnormal. If the increase in body temperature is caused by a hot environment, heat exhaustion can develop – and heatstroke can ensue. ”
Heatstroke can occur if a cat’s body temperature rises above 40 degrees. Then it becomes dangerous. Stregowski: “That causes damage to the organs and cells in the body, which can quickly lead to death.”
Heatstroke in Cats: These are the Symptoms to Watch Out For
Therefore, you should pay close attention to your cat’s body language on hot days. Signs of heatstroke in cats can include:
- Body temperature of 40 degrees or more;
- Rapid breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath;
- Fear or anxiety;
- Lethargy;
- Dizziness;
- Disorientation;
- Dark red gums and tongue, usually light pink to pink in color;
- Accelerated heartbeat;
- Drooling with thick saliva due to dehydration;
- Tremble;
- Seizures;
- Sweaty paws;
- Vomit;
- Diarrhea.
“Unlike dogs, cats usually don’t regulate their body temperature by panting,” explains Christina Wolf. “Cats really only pant in an emergency.” By the way: You also make cats pant when they are excited or panicked – for example at the vet.
What to Do If the Cat Shows Symptoms of Heatstroke
But what to do if your cat shows signs of heatstroke? For example, you can moisten cloths and carefully place them on the cat, advises Christina. “Guide your cat into the coolest room in your house or apartment and calm down and watch it,” says the cat expert. It is also important that you stay calm. “But if you notice that your cat is still not really coming down, then you should definitely call a vet.”
But: Here you should definitely estimate how stressful the trip to the practice is for your cat. “If a cat is already experiencing stress and panic while driving a car or at the vet, even in cooler temperatures, you should first speak to the practice to assess what needs to be done,” says Christina. “It would be fatal if the cat got even more involved in the situation.”