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How Hot Is Too Hot For Cats Indoors

Bonus Tip: Go For Swim

How Hot is too Hot in the Indoor Garden?

We added this one just for fun. If you read this and thought – WHAT!?!, then you are not alone but dont knock it till you try it. There are cats who dont mind water, especially if they are looking for a way to cool down.;

Can Cats Swim?

Most can actually. They also just choose not to. Most domesticated cats have never had any experience with swimming, so dont be surprised if your cat is not willing to just dive in. It will take time and practice to get your cat comfortable around water, and frankly some cats will never go for it.;

Cats That Like Water

You may not suspect your cat will like a nice cool dip, but some cat breeds are more likely to have an affinity for water. This isnt a guarantee that your cat is ready to cannonball, but it might be worth a try if you have one of these breeds:

All of these breeds are great hunters, so much of their confidence in the water is from tracking down prey, but they also usually just like to play. These 5 breeds will likely be interested in your kitchen sinks, curious about the tub, and if they spend time outside, they may even be comfortable with the hose or sprinkler.;

Why Are Strange Animals And Other Cats Hazardous

Cats that are allowed to roam outside are more likely to have encounters with other cats and wild animals during the summer months. Such encounters increase the risk of bite wounds, scratches, and other injuries related to fighting. Infectious diseases such as rabies and feline AIDS can be transmitted through bite wounds. Additionally, female cats fertility cycles are linked to the length of time they are exposed to daylight. Female cats tend to start going into heat in the spring, and they may go into and out of heat repeatedly for several months. Unwanted pregnancies and litters of kittens increase dramatically in the summer, which contributes to pet overpopulation, the spread of infectious diseases, and other issues.

Protect your cat from these hazards by having him or her spayed or neutered and keeping vaccines up-to-date. Keeping cats indoors not only protects them from a variety of animal encounters, it also prevents them from being injured or killed by cars.

Can Cats Get Too Hot

Yes, they can! Just like humans, cats can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke as well. That said, cats are not as likely as dogs to suffer from heat exhaustion or stroke. Why? Because cats arent often in the cars nor are they often taken out on walks.

Cats are also pretty concerned with their own comfort so they tend to seek ways to stay cool on their own.

However, cats can suffer illness from heat when accidentally caught in a dryer or when an outdoor cat gets trapped inside a shed or when forced to run in mid-summer day heat.

Risk factors for heat illness in cats include breeds with dense fur coats or squishy faces, obesity, poor lung or heart health, and age.

Lets discuss what happens when cats get TOO hot.

Symptoms of Overheating in Cats:
  • Excessive Panting
  • Coma
  • Death

If youre unaware, heatstroke can kill cats as well as people so its very important for cats to not overheat in the summer.

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How To Keep Cats Cool In Summer

During the warmer months, it is important to consider our four-legged family members even when we are out of the home.

  • Ensure the cat has access to cool, fresh water at all times
  • If your cat has access to an outdoor enclosure, provide plenty of places to shelter from the sun using plants or cubbies
  • Provide the cat with a cooling mat, available from pet stores
  • Pour some water into a baking tray and freeze overnight, remove in the morning and leave out for the cat
  • If your cat is indoor/outdoor, keep it inside during the warmer hours of 10 am to 4 pm and make sure there is adequate shade in the garden to escape the sun
  • Keep cats indoors on especially hot days
  • Leave access to rooms with tiles, as cats will often benefit from the cool feel of the tiles on a hot day
  • Do not leave a cat unattended in a car

Behavior Is The Number One Clue

How Hot Is Too Hot For Cats? A Guide for Indoor and ...

Cats cant turn up the thermostat or cuddle under a blanket when theyre experiencing temperature increases or decreases. As a cat owner, its essential to evaluate your cats environment, watch for signs of trouble, and use common sense. Overall, a cats most comfortable temperature is very close to humans, and though they can stand extreme temperatures for a while, they also shouldnt be exposed for too long.;

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Make Sure There Is Plenty Of Shade

Its tempting to open up all the curtains and let as much natural light in as possible on a nice day, but how many shady spots does this leave for your cat to retreat to?

On really hot days I leave my bedroom curtains closed. Not only does it stop the room hitting as high a temperature during the day, but I will almost certainly find one or more of my cats on my bed in the shade.

So, just be mindful that your cat might want some shade thats easy to get to, comfortable, and where they wont be disturbed.

Cool Your Pet Inside And Out

Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY;pupsicles for dogs. And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.

Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest or mat. Soak these products in cool water, and they’ll stay cool for up to three days. If your dog doesn’t find baths stressful, see if they enjoy a cooling soak.

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How Can You Prevent A Cat From Getting Overheated

An easy way to keep a cat from getting too hot is to keep them inside. The average room has a temperature of about 77° F or a little less. Thats a perfectly comfortable temperature for both cats and humans. On a hot day, keep the air conditioner on, even if you arent home. The AC will keep your cat comfortably cool.

Make sure your cat has access to cool and fresh water. Some cats prefer drinking from a faucet, so run a tap if youre worried that she might not be drinking enough from her water dish. You can also buy a water fountain designed for cats.

Make sure your cat can reach cool and shaded areas in your home, especially if youre leaving her by herself. Cats will often retreat to places like closets or bathrooms when they need to cool off. Just makes sure that they dont get trapped in such places.

Keep your cats bed off the ground, so air can flow under and around it and thus cool it off.

Put a damp towel by the window. The combination of a breeze and cool water can make your cat feel a lot cooler.

You can also buy a cooling mat from your local pet store. Resting on it will help lower the cats body temperature.

If your cat likes gravy or similar savory liquids, consider making her popsicles. She will enjoy licking them.

Never leave a cat in a locked car. During the summer, the temperature within the car can soar to 104° F within 15 minutes. In fact, being left in a car is one of the most common causes of hyperthermia.

Should I Use Sun Cream On My Cat

Tips to Keep Your Cats Cool in the Heat!

For cats most at risk, such as white cats or cats with thin or no hair, the answer is yes. Applying sun cream to vulnerable areas will offer protection and help prevent sun damage.

When choosing a sunscreen for your cat, use one specifically for pets and, if in doubt, speak to your vet for a recommendation. When applying, focus on your cats nose, tips of the ears, belly and groin areas as well as anywhere that has thin to no fur.

It is important when choosing a sun cream to avoid ingredients like zinc oxide and a group of chemicals that are referred to as salicylates. Repeated exposure to zinc oxide on the skin could lead to zinc toxicity, which can damage red blood cells, and it could also cause a stomach upset or allergic reaction if ingested. If eaten in large amounts, it could even cause stomach ulcers or liver problems, although this is rare.

Salicylates are products in the same category as aspirin, and cats are particularly susceptible to salicylate toxicity. Dont forget to keep an eye on your own skincare products keep them far out of paws reach!

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Tips For How To Cool Down A Cat In Summer

We love summer, but sometimes its just too hot. Learn how to cool down a cat so that you can keep them safe in the blistering sun. As the weather warms up, you might notice your cats behaviour starting to change a little. Whether your cat is indoor, outdoor, or both, they struggle with hot weather just like you do.

If you are lucky enough to have air conditioning, you can control the temperature of your home, but if you dont or if your cat loves to explore the neighbourhood, then you may need to find other ways to help keep your cat cool.;

Much like dogs, cats have thick coats that keep them insulated, this means that it helps them to retain heat in the cold and can repel external heat in hotter weather, but this has its limitations. High summer temperatures can lead to a number of physical reactions as well as behavioural changes.;

While a good, high-moisture diet can help keep your pet hydrated, sometimes the heat is just too much for your cat to regulate their body temperature safely.;

Keeping Cats Comfortable In Hot Weather

When the weather is warm, many cats will be in their element. Your cat will initially become more active and playful. This can soon turn to lethargy and irritability, though. Cats grow uncomfortable when too hot.

Even a cat that does not experience a health concern will struggle with excess heat. As an owner, it is your responsibility to keep your cat at the right temperature. There are several ways that you can do this. Most of them will not even require you to spend any money.

Managing Sun Exposure

Given half a chance, a cat will gravitate toward the sunshine. This will initially be relaxing but can make a cat uncomfortable in the longer term. Youll need to be mindful of sunburn or worse.

Managing the sun exposure of an indoor cat is simplejust close curtains and drapes when your cat has spent enough time basking by a window. You can always re-open them later when your cat has cooled off a little.

Outdoor cats are more challenging. Cats may travel so they can sunbathe without disturbance. This can be dangerous. If the cat grows overheated, it may become disoriented. It will struggle to find its way home.

Keep your outdoor cat at home during peak temperatures. Let your cat have an early-morning patrol, bringing it inside at around 11 am. The cat should then stay home until early evening when the suns heat is less intense.

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How Will A Vet Treat Hyperthermia

The vets main priorities will be cooling the cat and ensuring she is properly hydrated. For example, they will put the cat on a drip or intravenous fluids to rehydrate them. If necessary, they will also administer medications or supplemental oxygen.

If hyperthermia gets severe enough, it can cause organ damage. The vet will thus perform blood tests to determine how well the cats organs are working.

How Hot Is Too Hot For Your Cat

How Hot Is Too Hot for Cats Indoors?

Cats are heat seeking missiles. Most of us will have seen the pictures of several cats all sleeping in the sliver of sunlight. Or weve watched our own feline friends zone in on the only patch of sunlight there is.

It can be a surprise to find that despite their love of heat and despite the Egyptian origins of our domestic feline friend they can get too hot!

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What To Do If Your Pet Has Heatstroke

If your pet does develop heatstroke, ring the vet immediately and get their advice. You will probably need to bring your pet in to the vet.

According to the PDSA, the vet will probably advise you to try and cool them down before embarking on the journey:

Pour small amounts of cool water on them dont use ice cold water as this can cause shock. For small pets, its better to use a cool, wet towel to dampen their fur as pouring water on them can do more harm than good.

Put them in front of a fan.

You can drape a cold towel over your pet although make sure not to leave this on for more than five minutes, as the towel will start to act as an insulating blanket and make the problem worse.

Let them drink small amounts of cool water.

Let your pets breathing settle and then bring them to the vet, even if they seem perfectly fine.

Keep Pets Safe In The Heat

The summer months can be uncomfortableeven dangerousfor pets and people. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.

We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy while hot.

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Watch For Signs Of Heatstroke

Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness.

Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogslike boxers, pugs, shih tzus and other dogs and cats with short muzzleswill have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

What’s A Safe House Temperature For Cats In The Summer

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The summer months can be scorching, and you want to keep your cat indoors more often. But what’s an ideal house temperature for cats in the summer? Although cats can typically tolerate heat fairly well, you still need to keep the AC running to maintain the safest temperature for cats that are indoors.

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What Should I Know About Toxic Plants

Your cat may encounter toxic houseplants at any time of the year, but plants that flower in warm weather, like daisies, dahlias, lilies, and chrysanthemums, are also toxic and create additional hazards for cats that go outside. Information about poisonous houseplants and outdoor plants and flowers is available at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian.

Keep Your Cat Safe From The Sun

Many cats love soaking up the sunshine, choosing the warmest spots in the garden to enjoy. Make sure you take precautions to avoid your cat getting dehydrated or sunburnt. Overexposure can lead to skin cancer.Provide plenty of shade both inside and out. From sheltered plant pots to cardboard boxes, these items offer makeshift sunshades for outdoor-loving moggies.Think about planting shrubs or using cat hides and boxes in the garden. These help your cat hide away from the suns potentially harmful rays.If your cat has white fur, try keeping them inside between 10am and 3pm, when the sun is at its hottest. Speak to a vet about suitable sunscreen for cats, to ensure they dont suffer from sunburn.

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How Do Cats Sweat

Surprisingly, cats sweat just like humans. However, you wont see water pouring off their brows. Cats actually sweat through their paws. If your cat leaves a trail of wet footprints, they may be too warm. However, paws arent big enough to fully relieve a warm cat, so your pet may find a shady spot to lounge in or spread out on a cool floor to find relief from the heat.

What Is Your Cat’s Normal Body Temperature

Very hot temperature for cat

Your cat’s normal body temperature will typically be between 100.5 to 102.5°F.1;This means your cat can tolerate hotter temperatures than you can since a person’s average body temperature is about 98.6°F. Even though your cat can tolerate warmer temperatures, you should still be very cautious about how high you let the temperature get in your cat’s environment.

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How Hot Is Too Hot For Cats Indoors

When outdoor temperatures drop below 45 , a cat can count on her thick fur and layers of body fat to keep her warm while also avoiding cold-weather conditions like hypothermia or frostbite. But a cats body can handle colder weather far better than it fares in the summer heat and humidity. Overheating in cats can be fatal so how hot is too hot for cats indoors?

Temperatures over 90 are too hot for cats. Heat exposure can raise a cats body temperature above 102.5 and cause heatstroke, and cats with long hair and short snouts struggle even more in the heat. Access to shade, cold water, and airflow can reduce the effects of high heat in cats.

The good news is that setting your indoor thermostat to a cozy 75 in the winter wont suddenly trigger the onset of heatstroke in your cat. To learn more about cats and their tumultuous relationship with heat, read on!

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