During the summer months when the temperatures are soaring, it may get you wondering, how do cats keep cool? Especially when they have a thick luxurious coat.
Cats actually do a fantastic job of keeping themselves cool, and surprisingly, their coat plays a big role in the cooling process. Although this is the case, cats can
still overheat with dangerous consequences that can cause heatstroke. In this article we are going to look at how a cat keeps cool, how to tell if your cat is too hot,
how to cool down an overheated cat, and how to keep your cat safe in the sun.
How Do Cats Keep Cool?
Here are the ways in which a cat keeps cool in the heat.
1. Sweat:
Cats have a very efficient cooling system even though you never actually see them sweat in the same way that humans do. The difference is, humans have sweat
glands all over their body. Cats only have sweat glands in specific areas that are hairless such as the paws, chin, lips, and anus. A signal is sent to these glands
from the brain when the body temperature gets too high which starts the sweating process. A cooling effect happens on the cats skin when the sweat
evaporates. Sweat can also be triggered when a cat is frightened.
2. Panting:
When a cat gets very hot, they will begin to pant in the form of rapid breathing, similar to a dog’s panting. It cools them down when the saliva from their
tongue evaporates. Panting is a sign that your cat is overheating and may be a sign of heatstroke or heat stress. If your cat isn’t acting normal, or if the panting
continues, you should contact a veterinarian.
3. Find Shade or Cool Surfaces
On a hot summers day, you’ve probably noticed your cat spread out on the kitchen tiles. Cats have the intelligence to know that they can cool down and lower
their temperature by lying on objects that are cooler than they are.
4. Conserving Energy
As well as finding shade and cool surfaces, cats also understand that conserving energy will help keep their temperature down to prevent overheating. So if
you notice your cat becomes more sluggish and hardly moves during hot weather, they are doing this to avoid overexertion.
5. Groom Themselves a Lot More
In the first point we spoke about how cats only sweat in certain hairless parts of their body such as paws, chin, lips, and anus. Cats do not sweat in the same
way us humans do and they do not sweat through their thick fur. They combat this by grooming themselves a lot more on a hot day. This works because the
saliva provides a cooling effect as it evaporates on a cats fur and makes them feel cooler when the air moves against their body.
6. Insulating Fur Coats
This is one that most cat owners probably do not know. As well helping to keep them warm in winter, a cats coat also helps to keep them cool on hot days. It
does this by acting as a thermal regulator which means that it keeps a cats body at a stable temperature no matter how hot or cold it is. The coat also protects
their sensitive skin form the sun, as well as helping to keep them hydrated.
7. They Drink More Water
Cats have a very low thirst drive, so dehydration can be a problem. This is why we always recommend cat water fountains because cats are naturally
attracted to flowing water. They generally will drink more on a hot day, just make sure to place water bowls in multiple locations around the home.
How can I tell if my cat is too hot?
Signs Your Cat is Struggling With The Heat
As a cat owner, it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible to become aware of the signs of heatstroke and overheating.
Here are some common signs of heatstroke and overheating:
- Panting/Rapid breathing
- Agitation
- Glazed eyes
- Dribbling
- Wobbling/Staggering
- Red tongue and mouth
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Skin hot to touch
- Rectal temperature over 40.5C/105F
If your cat is displaying any of these signs and you are worried, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Breeds That Suffer More With Heat
All cats are very different and some will have more tolerance to hot weather than others. Certain breeds seem to struggle more with the heat and require a
little more attention during the summer months. Let’s take a look:
- Flat-faced breeds: Breeds such as British Shorthairs and Persian’s have short noses, and the extra tissues found at the back of their throat can cause breathing difficulties.
- Fluffy Cats: Although a cats coat acts as a thermal regulator, cats with thick or long fur will feel the heat more than short-haired cats.
- Older Cats: Older cats start to get a lot of health issues and can become more sensitive to the heat and will require extra care.
- Overweight Cats: A cats body will have more strain on it if they are carrying some extra weight.
How Do You Cool Down An Overheated Cat?
Ice treats
You can make up some ice treats out of your cats favorite snacks. A great idea for this is to use tuna brine or specially formulated cat milk. You can also use
regular ice cubes and place them on the floor or in your cats drinking bowl. As your cat pats and plays with the ice cube, it will help cool their paws.
Cooling Mats For Cats
Cooling mats are excellent for the summer months and your cat will love them. You can pick these up very cheap on Amazon.
Wet Towel
Alternatively to cat cooling mats, you can simply try using a wet towel. Most cats hate water, but simply grabbing a regular towel and spraying it with cold water
will allow your cat to lye on it to cool down. You can also use the towel to dab over your cats fur.
Regular Grooming
During the summer months, regular grooming with a brush to remove dead hair will offer more comfort to your cat, as excess fur can trap heat.
Create a Cool Room
Not everybody will have the space in the home to do this, but if you can, create a cool room for your cat. To do this find the coolest room in your home, and
place everything that your cat needs in there such as water bowls, cooling mat, and some comfy cat furniture to chill out on.
Popular Questions
Can cats handle hot weather?
Although cats do an excellent job of keeping themselves cool, they are still at risk or dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke. Each individual cat has
a different tolerance to the heat. During a heat wave just keep a close eye on them, and know signs to look out for of overheating.
How do indoor cats keep cool in hot weather?
Indoor cats are already at an advantage because they are away from the direct sunlight. They also have the intelligence to seek out cool area and objects around
the home such as kitchen floor tiles. You’ll also notice that they groom more often, which helps keep them cool when the saliva evaporates. You can also do
your part by providing plenty of clean, fresh water and lots of ice treats.
What temperature can a cat tolerate?
Short-haired cats have an average temperature of 100°F. to 102.5°F, with long-haired breeds slightly higher. If a cats temperature exceeds more than 105°F,
this can become a problem and lead to overheating.
Do cats prefer heat or cold?
Cats naturally have a higher body temperature than humans and prefer the heat. This is why they always seek out the warm cosy spots in the home.
How Do Cats Keep Cool Conclusion
How do cats keep cool? It’s impossible for a cat to tell us how hot they are or how comfortable they feel in the heat, but us cat owners can learn to read their
behavior and look out for signs of overheating. Although cats do a number of things to keep themselves cool such as grooming more and seeking cold objects
and places, you can also do your part by providing fresh water, cooling mats, and ice treats.
