Summer Heat: How Hot Can Cats Handle?
Ever find yourself pondering the same mystery: In such scorching weather, even going shirtless feels like a sauna. But what about our feline friends, who wear 'down jackets' all year round? Don't they get hot? Do they not sweat? Do they not need a lifesustaining dose of watermelon, milk tea, or ice cream?
Curious to uncover the truth, I spent several sleepless nights pondering, even as my韩式半永久黑圆圈 was still in progress. The answer, I can assure you with confidence: Cats do get hot, they do sweat, but they don't require watermelon, milk tea, or ice cream!
First, let's delve into the physiological capabilities of our feline companions. They originated in desert regions, where you can only imagine the intense heat. They are more heattolerant than we might think, only feeling uncomfortable at 52°C, and their heat tolerance limit is between 56°C and 56.6°C with access to water.
While cats are heattolerant, they can't withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures, just like humans can suffer from heatstroke. Symptoms range from heavy breathing and loss of appetite to vomiting, and in severe cases, dehydration and foulsmelling breath. Therefore, it's crucial to take artificial cooling measures, but always with scientific and proper methods. Don't apply human cooling techniques to cats; it can only lead to more harm than good!
Cats lack sweat glands on their bodies, and their skin has poor heat dissipation capabilities. The only sweat glands are on their paws, specifically the pink pads. Yes, those adorable little 'sweat pads.' So, please put away the ice balls; they can cause discomfort to cats with delicate stomachs!
Cats cannot consume milk, coffee, or chocolate due to lactose intolerance. Theobromine in cocoa powder can be fatal to them. Do you really want your cat to meet an early demise?
Also, shaving a cat's fur to cool them down is not advisable. Fur is a cat's protective layer, shielding their skin from bacteria, viruses, UV rays, and insects. Shaving increases the risk of skin diseases. And just to clarify: cats don't have melanin in their skin, so exposing them to sunlight can lead to sunburn.
To cool down cats scientifically, we must understand their own cooling mechanisms. Cats have three ways to cool down: their paw pads, respiration, and licking. Expose their paw pads, use saliva to evaporate excess body heat, and breathe in fresh air while exhaling hot air.
How can we help cats cool down in the summer?
Ensure good air circulation indoors, move your cat's sleeping pad or box to a cooler spot, and consider switching to a breathable mat.
Sweat glands are on the paw pads! Sweat glands are on the paw pads! It's essential to understand this! Don't ask me why I mentioned trimming the fur; for longhaired cats, a little trimming is appropriate.
Encourage your cat to drink more water; it should be at room temperature, not hot or scalding. To get your cat to drink more, provide multiple water bowls in different locations around the house!
In summary: To keep cats cool during the summer, avoid shaving their fur, feeding them ice cream, or giving them ice balls to lick. Instead, ensure good ventilation, trim their paw pads, and encourage them to drink plenty of water.
