What You Need to Know About the Summer Heat and Your Cat

Is your cat ready for the summer? Before the warm and humid weather is in full swing, take a look at these top summertime cat safety questions.

How Does Heat Affect Cats?

Like yourself, your child, or your dog, your cat can overheat in the summer. Heatstroke is serious in any animal - and requires immediate emergency veterinary attention.

Even though humans sweat to cool themselves in the summer heat, your cat's body isn't as efficient. Felines pant to cool themselves and sweat minimally (through their paw pads). Exposure to the summertime heat can cause heat exhaustion that can rapidly progress into heatstroke.

Symptoms such as unexplained restless behavior, excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, lethargy, staggered gait, red tongue or mouth, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, and high rectal temperature (over 105 degrees Fahrenheit ) can indicate heat-related feline illness. If left untreated, heatstroke can cause seizures or a coma or prove fatal to your cat.

How Can You Keep You Cat Safe in the Summer?

You can reduce the risk of heat-related summertime feline illnesses. While you can't do anything about the temperature or high humidity, you can help your cat to stay cool.

One of the easiest ways to minimize the risks to your pet is to keep them out of the heat. Never leave your cat in a hot car - even if the weather doesn't seem warm enough to do serious damage to your pet. According to the ASPCA, a car can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit on a 70-degree day. The temperature can rise to 102 degrees within minutes on an 85-degree day and 120 degrees in as little as half an hour.

The car isn't the only potential summertime danger zone for your cat. A lack of air conditioning in an indoor environment can also contribute to heat-related illnesses. A closed interior space with no air circulation or cooling can cause your pet's temperature to rise.

When possible, use your home's air conditioner during all hot days and nights. If you don't have AC, you can still cool your home. Open the windows and use fans to circulate the air. Use screens in all open windows to reduce the risks of a mid-summer feline escape.

Along with air conditioning, open windows, and fans, make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water to drink. Dehydration is another heat-related issue you want to avoid. Signs of dehydration in cats include dry or tacky gums, low energy or listlessness, skin tenting, refusal to eat, or sudden behavior changes.

What Should You Do If Your Cat Overheats?

What happens if the temperature gets too high and despite your best efforts, your cat still overheats? If you suspect heat-related illness (such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke) or dehydration:

Even though cooling your cat can ease some of the immediate summer heat symptoms, it isn't a replacement for a vet office visit. Always seek professional care for an overheated or dehydrated animal.

Does your cat need a new veterinarian? Contact the Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach for more information.