Keeping your cat Cool in Summer

When the temperature starts to rise, how do you keep your cat cool? How do you prevent heat stroke from occurring, and if it does occur, what do you do about it?

Due to the their desert origins, cats are relatively resistant to heatstroke (also known as hyperthermia). Heat stroke is a life threatening medical condition in which the body's internal organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, heart & brain) begin to shut down as a result of elevated body temperature caused by high temperatures & humidity.

Humans are able to reduce their body temperature by releasing sweat at the surface of the skin. Cats protect themselves against high temperatures by panting & licking the fur. Cats can become overheated very easily, more so than humans as panting isn't a particularly efficient way to cool down the animal.
 

Unlike dogs, cats do not sweat by panting. They instead sweat through their paws. On a hot summer's day, you may notice your cat has taken to groom himself more than usual. This is how they cool down. By licking themselves, and leaving the saliva on their fur, when the saliva finally evaporates off the fur, the cat's temperature goes down.

Cats will seek cool places to lie down in when they get to hot. Common areas are; sinks, bathtubs, litter trays, potted houseplants, shady tile floors or parked in front of the fan, air conditioner or open window.

If your home reaches 32 degrees Celsius, your cat will begin panting. This is your cat's way of exchanging heat inside his body with the cooler air outside. Cats will also pant when they are frightened or scared.

Your cat's temperature should be 37.5 - 39.5 degrees Celsius. The only accurate way to determine if your cat is running a fever is to take his temperature using a rectal thermometer, or one of the newer ear thermometers. If the body temperature is higher than 39.5 degrees Celsius take the cat to the vet immediately. If possible, have somebody else drive, while you attempt to bring down the temperature on the way.

You need to wrap your cat in a cool, wet towel to help bring your cats body temperature down to a safe level. Do not keep wrapped for a prolonged period of time, because if you reduce to body temperature below 37.5 degrees Celsius, you are at risk of hypothermia.

How to avoid heat stroke in cats:

• Never leave your cat in a parked car, even in the cooler months, this is especially important in hot weather. If you are traveling with your cat in the car, provide adequate ventilation.
• If your cat has access to the outdoors make sure they have access to a shaded area where they can escape from the sun & heat.
• If your cat is indoors only, give it access to a cool area. It is especially important not to confine the cat to any room where temperatures are especially high, such as a sunroom.
• Always ensure your cat has an adequate supply of fresh, cool, clean water, indoors & outdoors.
• Avoid strenuous activity in high temperatures.
• Limit exposure to the outdoors in the hotter months between 11.00am & 3.00pm.
• Keep your cat indoors during hot days, and if possible with the air conditioning or a fan turned on.       

*This information was gathered from http://www.thecatsite.com/a/keeping-cats-cool and http://www.cat-world.com.au/heat-stroke-in-cats