Cats love to curl up somewhere warm for a nap. But if your cat likes to laze about in the sunshine, can it become too much for them? As the temperature hots up, so do our cats and along with this comes the risk they could suffer from heatstroke - a dangerous and often fatal condition.

Our in-house Vet Dr Anna Foreman, with the help of her cat Spud, have created a video on the top tips to keep your cat cool in hot weather. Plus, our expert pals at Vetstream have put together all the information you need on keeping your cat cool, what to do if they overheat and spotting the signs of heatstroke.

How Will I Know if My Cat's Overheating or Dehydrated?

Cats are not very good at losing heat through sweating. They have to rely on regular grooming and putting saliva on their coats as a way of regulating their body temperature. Panting is usually a late-stage sign that a cat has overheated. So, make sure you watch out for the tell-tale signs that they’re suffering in the heat and need to cool down:

• Dry mouth and nose
• Rapid breathing
• Disorientation 
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Gum discolouration (bright red or blue in colour).

These signs can all indicate your cat is dehydrated and needs fresh, cool water to rehydrate. If a cat’s core body temperature becomes too high in the hot weather, this could result in heatstroke. Thankfully, heatstroke is much less common in cats than in dogs who can suffer from heatstroke in as little as 20 minutes if they’re locked in a hot car.

Very old or young cats, long haired cats and obese cats are more prone to overheating. Cats that are brachycephalic (flat-faced) such as Persians are also more at risk.

If you spot any of the signs of overheating in your cat, it’s time to take action to lower their body temperature and prevent cat heatstroke. The first thing to do is to move them from their hot spot to a cool place and give them water to drink. Cool, wet towels can be placed under or around them but never put damp towels on their back as this can reduce heat loss.

Cool water can be applied to their paws and ears but don’t use ice-cold water, ice cubes or ice packs as these can constrict the blood vessels in the skin preventing heat loss.

A cat’s body temperature is normally around 38.1 to 39.2°C (100.5 to 102.5°F) but if it goes above 40°C (104°F), and their core body temperature is elevated for an extended period, this can be dangerous.

What are the Signs of Heatstroke in Cats?

If your cat has heatstroke, in addition to signs of dehydration, you may notice changes in their behaviour or balance. They may be lethargic, or restless and agitated. They may be unsteady on their feet, and in severe cases may collapse, have seizures or even become unconscious.

Multiple body organs may be affected, including their heart, liver and kidneys. Sadly, even immediate cooling may not be enough to reverse any damage that has already been done.

If your cat is showing signs of heatstroke, it’s important to take your cat to see your vet straight away. Phone the practice ahead to let them know you're on your way so they can get everything ready to treat your cat. This will give your cat their best chance of survival and a full recovery.

How to Treat Heatstroke in Cats

If you suspect your cat has heatstroke, take them to your local vet immediately. Your vet will use cooling baths, cooling mats and fans, and give your cat intravenous fluids.

After your cat’s body temperature has been reduced and they’ve been rehydrated, your vet will do some blood and urine tests to check if any damage has been done to your cat’s vital organs. In severe cases, your cat may need to stay in intensive care where their condition can be closely monitored.

Once stable, your vet may be happy for you to take your cat home, but you’ll still need to closely monitor them for the next few days just in case their condition deteriorates. Your vet will probably want to see your cat for a check-up in the days following to make sure your cat is recovering well.

If treated quickly, your cat should make a good recovery. But, if left overheated for a long time without treatment, organ damage can result, and your furry friend could die. Heatstroke in cats is a very serious condition that needs urgent emergency care.

How Can I Keep My Cat Cool in Summer?

If you have outdoor cats, make sure there are lots of shady spots for them to relax in. Check sheds, garages and greenhouses so they don’t become trapped in them.

Make sure they have water bowls with fresh, cool water and encourage them to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Water fountains that provide fresh running water can help keep your cat hydrated and to drink more. It may also be a good idea to give them wet food instead of dry food when the weather is hot – especially if your cat is less keen on drinking.

Indoor cats can have the luxury of a fan or air conditioning to circulate cool air and keep their body temperature down on hot days. Even so, they should always have fresh water available - place an ice-cube in the water and place the bowl out of the sun.

It's important to keep your cat in a room that's well ventilated, open windows can help, and has some shady spots. A conservatory can become very hot during summer months if it’s in direct sun during the hottest part of the day. So keep the blinds down to help keep the area at a comfortable temperature.

To prevent your cat from overheating and getting heatstroke, it’s important to make sure your cat always has access to cool water, plenty of shaded areas and watch out for any heatstroke symptoms.

Never leave them in a hot, poorly ventilated room, conservatory or car and check sheds, garages and greenhouses before locking them. If you suspect your cat has heatstroke, time is of the essence so contact your vet immediately.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.