Cats Show Heat Stress Signs: What to Look Out For
Part 1: Signs of a Cat Overheating
1. Laying on the Ground with Belly Exposed: On hot days, cats may not feel like moving around much. Instead, they'll stretch out, lie on the ground, and expose their bellies to the cool air or press their bellies against a cold floor to dissipate heat.
2. Licking Their Tongues: When a cat is not overheated, its tongue remains inside. However, if it's too hot, the cat will frequently stick out its delicate pink tongue to cool down.
3. Increased Thirst: Some cats aren't big on drinking water, but when they feel excessively hot, they'll want to drink more to replenish the fluids lost due to heat. If you notice your cat drinking water frequently, it might be a sign that the temperature has risen beyond what your cat can handle.
4. Loss of Appetite: Just like humans, cats may lose their appetite and become irritable or moody during hot weather. If you find your cat suddenly has no appetite or is irritable, it could be due to overheating.
Part 2: What to Do When a Cat is Overheated
1. Maintain Air Circulation: Some pet owners believe that keeping cats in airconditioned rooms during summer is the best solution, but this can easily lead to "air conditioning disease." Instead, simply ensure good air circulation in the room or use a fan blowing against the wall to keep the space cool.
2. Trim the Cat's Fur: You can also trim your cat's fur, but be careful not to shave it completely. Thinning the fur can help, and make sure to thoroughly trim the fur on the cat's paws, as cats' sweat glands are mostly located there. This will aid in better heat dissipation.
3. Provide Adequate Water: Have several water bowls placed in areas where your cat frequently moves, so it can drink water immediately when it feels too hot and needs to replenish fluids, preventing dehydration.
Warm Reminder: The hot summer months are a peak time for cats to suffer from heatstroke or "air conditioning disease." Therefore, it's essential for pet owners to take preventive measures for their cats. For more information, click on "Summer Cat Heat Prevention Guide."
