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:
- Assess
your cat's symptoms.
Does your cat have symptoms of heat-related
illness or dehydration? Your cat may not have all the signs of heat
exhaustion, heatstroke, or dehydration. One or more of the symptoms may
point to a problem.
- Contact
the vet.
Call the veterinarian's office as soon as you notice any
signs of heat-related illness or dehydration. The sooner your cat gets
professional medical help, the better. Your cat may need intravenous
fluids or another treatment to combat the symptoms.
- Cool
your cat.
Keep your cat as cool and comfortable as possible. Turn the
air conditioning on in the car on the way to the vet's office, offer your
pet water, or use a wet towel to cool your cat.
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.
