| |
 Cat Care Tip - Beating the Heat Protecting your Cat from Extreme Temperatures
Cats are very susceptible to becoming overheated. Think about it for a minute they spend their entire day walking around inside a heavy fur coat, even on very hot days. A cat that is not accustomed to the outdoors is particularly susceptible to becoming overheated. If this happens, the cat runs the risk of having a heatstroke.
A cat that is acclimated to the outdoors is more likely to be able to handle excessive heat. Nonetheless, all cats can have problems if the weather becomes to hot and they dont have a means to cool down.
Signs of Heat Problems
Cats show many different signs of trouble when they become overheated. For example, a cat may begin panting rapidly. Eventually, it may even become unresponsive. In addition, the cats gums may turn bright red when it becomes too hot. If the cat begins to
vomit excessively or have diarrhea, it may be overheated. To test for heat trouble on a cat, the pet owner can gently pinch the scruff of the neck. If the scruff stays in an upright position after being pinched, it is getting dehydrated.
If a cat is experiencing heat stroke, it may also be lethargic and have difficulty getting up and down. In addition, its body temperature may become very high. A cat that is experiencing heat stroke may even have seizures or seem depressed.
Treating an Overheated Cat
The best way to treat an overheated cat is prevention. If, however, it does become overheated and shows any of these discussed symptoms, it should be taken to the vet immediately. While the cat is being transported to the vet, a damp towel should be wrapped around it to help cool it down. In addition, a water bottle with a mixture of water and Bachs rescue remedy is good to have on hand. This mixture should be sprayed on the cat if it begins to have a heat stroke because it will help to lessen the cats stress.
Before taking the cat to the vet, it might be a good idea to bring it inside and give it cool water to drink and a cool bath to initially bring its body temperature down. With true heat stroke, it can be difficult to reverse the physiological effects. In many cases, the cat will require an IV of fluids and intensive monitoring and treatment.
Preventing Overheating
The main way to prevent overheating for outdoor cats is to be sure plenty of fresh water is available and that shaded areas are accessible to the cat. Fresh water is particularly important for cats, as they generally have little trouble finding a shaded area.
For indoor cats, temperatures can still become excessive. Of course, the best option is to have air conditioning in the home in order to keep both the owner and the cat cool. If this isnt a possibility, indoor fans can offer the ventilation necessary to keep the cat cool. Ceiling fans are ideal, as cats can knock down floor fans. In addition, cats can usually easily stick their paws through the screen of floor fans. If a floor fan is the only option, it should be secured in some fashion and placed in an area difficult for the cat to reach, such as being mounted to the wall.
For both indoor and outdoor cats with long hair, it might be a good idea to trim the cats fur in the summer to help keep it cool. In addition, a black cat is at greater risk of overheating than a white cat because the black fur absorbs heat.
In addition to having several dishes of water available for outside cats, it can also be a good idea to place piles of ice cubes or chips outside for the cat to eat. Or, ice cubes or chips can be placed inside the water bowls to help make the water more refreshing and to encourage the cat to drink. A cup of Gatorade added to the bowl of water can also be helpful in keeping the cats electrolytes level high and preventing dehydration.
Indoor cats should have a cool place to relax. It can be helpful to leave a little water inside bathtubs or sinks so the cat can play in the water to cool off. Even though the cat is indoors, it is a good idea to leave more than one water bowl inside for it to drink from in order to cool down. Also, the shades should be kept drawn to prevent outside heat from the sun from coming in.
Easy Tips for Cleaning Up Cat Messes
Cats may be cute, furry, and great companions, but they can also be responsible for making terrible messes. These messes can leave stains and lingering odors if not properly cared for. But, with a few simple tricks, these messes dont have to last...
Five Reasons to Declaw Your Cat And One Good Reason Not To
When you have your cat declawed, you are actually amputating the first joint of each front toe. This is necessary because the nail bed covers almost the entire joint, and leaving a portion of the claw un-amputated can result in some nasty infections...
Tick Tock How to Treat for Ticks around the Clock
Have you ever heard the saying, Blood tells the tale? In the case of ticks, that would definitely be an accurate statement. On your cat, ticks can be fairly easy to spot, especially if your cat has a short fur coat. If the ticks have just newly...
Four Things to Look for When Adopting a Cat from an Animal Shelter
When choosing a cat to adopt from an animal shelter, there are several things that must be considered. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that adopting a cat means the furry friend will most likely be around for a long while. In fact,...
What to Do when Your Cat Gets a Snake Bite
If you are a cat owner, it is always a good idea to be prepared for pet emergencies. A good way to prepare is to have a pet first aid kit on hand to treat your cat. Cats that go outdoors are always getting hurt and into trouble. One emergency to...
|
|
|
|
|
