"Sleep in the sun and in front of the stove because cats like warmth". Do you think so? Maybe they can withstand the temperature that makes us sweat and pain. But it turns out that this is not the case. Just like humans, cats need to regulate their body temperature, especially during hot months. However, unlike humans, it is the way they stay cool.
Here is how cats stay cool, you need to be aware of, there are some signs that may mean they are in trouble and need to be treated for heat-related diseases.
Will cats sweat?
In fact, cats sweat, but unlike humans. As humans, we sweat all over our body, but cats have much limited ability to sweat. Human sweat glands are almost everywhere, but cat sweat glands are only found in a few areas without hair. These areas include the cat's paws and chin, so the cat can only sweat in these specific areas. (This also works for dogs.)
The air that passes through the sweat helps cool his body when your cat is sweating. Because cats have very limited sweating ability, sweating is an auxiliary cooling system. There are other ways your cat can help regulate body temperature and cool down.
How does cats cool down?
Cats do not rely on sweating to help cool down, but eliminate body heat by combing their hair. Evaporate saliva works like evaporating sweat to cool the skin. Therefore, you may see your cat combing his hair more frequently when the weather is warm, especially when he is lying in a hot, sunny place.
Speaking of lying in hot weather, cats will nap on hot days to avoid some calories. During the hot days, limit their activities so they can stay cool. As temperatures drop in late afternoon and evening, cats become more active in hunting, eating and playing with .
When the weather gets hot during the day, the cat instinctively knows to look for a cool place. You may notice that your cat will head to the basement or lie on the cool tile floor on hot days. This is one of his ways to regulate body temperature and keep it cool.
editpictures
Signs that your cat is overheated
These are signs that your cat may be overheated:
- Gasp: If your cat's other temperature regulation methods are not enough, he may start gasping. Cats usually don’t breathe, which indicates that your cat may be over-stressed or over-heated.
- Heat stress: If the problem continues to develop, your cat may experience heat stress. Common signs of heat stress include drooling , overcombing hair and sweating paws. Your cat may behave worse or uneasy when looking for cooler areas.
- Hot exhaustion : If your cat cannot lower the body temperature, heat exhaustion will occur. Signs of heat exhaustion include shortness of breath, redness in the tongue and mouth, stuttering or incoordinated movements, lethargy and vomiting. Heat exhaustion is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate and appropriate treatment.
If you notice signs of heat stress, move your cat to a cool place or consult a veterinarian. If you think your cat is experiencing heat exhaustion, put cold water on his body and contact pet hospital . If you cannot reach, take your cat directly to the nearest emergency room. The veterinarian may give cool fluids and monitor the cat's temperature. Heat stroke can lead to organ failure, so professional treatment is essential.
In most cases, your cat can regulate his body temperature well. Cats instinctively know how to keep themselves cool, and most cats don't expose themselves to extreme temperatures that can cause heat stress or fatigue. However, these medical emergencies are still possible, especially in cats exposed to extreme temperatures or have other medical problems. Understanding the signs of heat stress and heat exhaustion can help you quickly identify these conditions when they occur.In these cases, knowing to take the right steps to provide your cat with medical help in time can help save his life.
