Signs Your Cat May Be Suffering From Heat Stroke

This summer is turning out to be a scorcher, and there have been multiple heat advisories advising children, elderly people, and even your dogs to stay inside and drink plenty of fluids. Dogs can suffer from heat stroke just like people, but so can your cats! As a matter of fact, on those extra hot days, your cat is probably more prone to becoming sick from the heat than your dogs because of their hot furs and the fact that they can only sweat via the pads on their paws.

Obviously the cats most likely to come down with heat stroke are the indoor/outdoor felines. Although it is rare, there are some precautionary measures that you can take to ensure that your pet doesn’t become sick from the hot summer heat. If it’s too hot outside for you, then it is probably too hot outside for your pet, try to limit their trips outdoors. Also, always make sure that they have a full dish of water to keep them hydrated.

Here is a list of signs that your pet may be suffering from heat stroke:

1. Lethargic (more so than usual believe it or not)
2. Disoriented – your pet may stumble around, or appear off balance
3. Panting – when cats are overheated, they pant just like a dog
4. Temperature – if you have a pet thermometer, monitor your cat, their regular temperature should be between 98 – 101, if it’s higher they may be suffering from heat stroke
5. No Appetite – if your cat is not eating, this may also be a sign they are sick

If your cat matches any of those symptoms after being outside, you will want to cool them down ASAP. They will probably hate you for a little while, but submerge them in cool water to bring down their body temperature. If your cat absolutely is not allowing it, you can try to wrap them in towels soaked in cold water or even cover their bodies with an ice pack. If the cat is still acting sick, and their temperature is not dropping, it is time to take them to the vet.

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