Cats are so lovely that sometimes we tend to think nothing affects them, that their feline life is perfect. But of course, there are things that affect them. And one of them is heat.
During winter, it is common to see them resting in full sunlight, sprawled out. Or sleeping on a radiator, in front of the fireplace, near the oven... When it is cold, they seek warmth, naturally. But when it is hot, they may struggle.
Which cats are more prone to heatstroke?
All cats are susceptible to heatstroke. But senior cats, kittens, overweight cats and those with heart disease or respiratory problems are at greater risk. In fact, special care must be taken with brachycephalic cats, meaning flat-faced cats such as Burmese, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair and Persian cats. These animals have smaller, narrower nostrils, and their trachea is abnormally narrow. The generalized narrowing of the airways increases resistance to the entry of air, making oxygenation more difficult.
What can you do to prevent it?
To regulate their body temperature, cats make use of the evaporation of saliva that they spread over their fur during grooming sessions. They sweat through their paw pads and may start panting. However, if it is very hot, we need to make things easier for them.
1. Fresh water 24 hours a day
Leave fresh, clean water available to your cat throughout the day, and regularly check that there is still water in the bowl and that it is not in direct sunlight. One way to keep the water fresh is to put an ice cube in the bowl (without overdoing it, as some cats do not like cold water). To encourage your cat to drink water, you can put out more bowls or use a fountain, such as the ones we have at ARISTOSHOP.
2. Be careful with the sun
It is very important for your cat to have a cool place protected from the sun where it can rest, especially during the hottest hours of the day. This applies both to cats that live indoors and to those that have access to the outdoors.
3. Less activity during peak hours
When it is hot, cats become less active. To protect them from excessive heat, it is recommended that they do not exercise during peak hours. It is better to play with them at dusk or early in the morning.
4. Improvised cooling shelters
Many cats find the coolest places in the house to rest, such as the bathtub, sink or kitchen sink. You can also help them with this. For example, by placing a bag of cool water (even with a few ice cubes) under their bed. Or buy a bed that helps dissipate heat, such as raised beds, like this origami hammocki, or beds made from breathable material.
5. Cool your cat down
On very warm days, you can wipe your cat with a damp towel from the head to the back. As the water evaporates, it will have an effect similar to our sweat, and although most cats do not love contact with water, they usually tolerate a damp towel.
6. Travel in good conditions
If you travel with your ARISTOCAT, be careful about the temperature and ventilation in the car. It is best to travel during the coolest hours of the day, stop from time to time to give your cat some water and make sure it is comfortable
XL Hammock for Scratching Post
What are the symptoms of heatstroke?
If, despite putting all the previous advice into practice, your cat's temperature rises too high and it suffers heatstroke, you will notice these signs: your cat may become restless, start panting, drool excessively, feel hot to the touch, tremble, stagger, vomit, and its gums may appear darker and more intense in color. If this happens, go straight to the veterinarian.
We hope summer passes happily and without mishaps for everyone, with the help of these little tips. If you also have an ARISTODOG in addition to a feline, you can keep reading this other post, where we discuss how to protect dogs from heatstroke.