How to help a cat in a hot apartment

Knowing how to help your cat during a hot apartment can help prevent heatstroke, dehydration, and other health problems. Pets suffer just as much from high temperatures (above 25˚C) as humans, but with a little effort, you can create comfortable conditions for them even during hot periods.

You can tell if your cat is hot by several signs:

• low activity, the animal sleeps a lot;
• looking for a cool place in the house;
• drinks a lot of water;
• lack of appetite.

If you have an air conditioner in your home, use it to maintain a comfortable temperature even when you're away. Alternatively, try the tips below.

Cats don't sweat like humans and cool themselves primarily through breathing and limited areas of the body (paw pads). At high temperatures, this isn't enough, and the body begins to overheat. Your pet may exhibit the following symptoms:

• rapid breathing and heartbeat

• thirst and profuse salivation

• loss of appetite

• anxiety or, conversely, inhibition

• redness of the mucous membranes

In severe cases, overheating can lead to convulsions and even loss of consciousness.

The correct regime in the apartment

To make the heat easier to bear, owners should reconsider their living conditions. It's difficult to completely cool a room without an air conditioner, but even simple measures can reduce the risk of overheating:

• cover windows with thick curtains or blinds to reduce sunlight

• ventilate the apartment in the morning and evening hours

• leaving bowls of water in different rooms

Table: Temperature zones for cats at home

Cool conditions

Cats don't sweat, so it's harder for them to maintain an optimal body temperature without overheating. Owners should ensure their apartment is cool. This can be done in several ways.

If you don't have an air conditioner, fans can help keep the room cool. Ideally, place them in all corners so that the airflow converges in the center of the room. Use low-profile fans, but make sure they're pet-safe (the blades are protected by a mesh screen). If you only have one, place it near an open window to ensure fresh air. Leave the doors to the room open so your pet can get out if needed. During peak sun exposure, hang wet sheets on the windows to prevent the room from becoming too hot.

To help your cat cope with the heat in your apartment, let her choose a cool spot. Many animals hide in bathrooms because the tiles there remain cool even on the hottest days. If your cat is feeling hot, you can do the following:

1. Place the pet's bed away from direct sunlight. Place ice packs nearby. If you don't have any, fill plastic bottles with water and freeze them, then place them around the area.
2. Wet an old terry towel or a clean, large rag in cold water and place it on the floor. Your pet will naturally lie down on it if it gets hot.
3. Fill a basin or other container with a small amount of water. Your pet will dip its paws in the water to cool down.

If your pet falls asleep in the sun, be sure to move them to the shade to avoid heatstroke. Allowing your pet to sleep under the draft of an air conditioner or fan is also not recommended, as this increases the risk of developing a cold.

How to reduce body temperature?

The best way to lower a cat's body temperature is with water. While it's possible to wet a cat in hot weather, most animals dislike bathing. They struggle and scratch, which can be inconvenient for their owners. For this reason, it's best to choose less drastic methods.

You can cool your cat down in hot weather in the following ways:

1. Wet a terry towel in cool water and wrap your pet in it. Avoid using ice-cold water, as the sudden temperature change will cause discomfort.
2. Wet the paw pads and earlobes periodically.
3. Using a spray bottle, spray the animal on all sides. If the cat is comfortable with the procedure, start with the paws and gradually move to the belly and other areas.
4. Apply a damp cloth or washcloth between your ears.

Brush your pet daily, as excess hair disrupts normal thermoregulation. It's best to do this in the morning, when it's cool. During the hottest hours, your pet may be unhappy and run away.

Some owners decide to shave their pet's hair during the summer heat, but this is a grave mistake. This makes the pet even more vulnerable, increasing the risk of sunburn. Long-haired breeds can have their hair trimmed, but not completely shaved.

Read on our website about Why do cats like to look out the window? - this is educational!

Nutrition and drinking regimen

To help your cat cope with the heat, it's important to provide them with free access to water. A special pet fountain is recommended. You can buy one at a store or make one yourself. If you don't have one, fill the water in a wide container. Change it regularly or add clean, cool water. You can add ice cubes to the container to keep the water cool for longer. Make sure your pet drinks enough fluids. Otherwise, dehydration can occur, which can lead to organ failure if not treated promptly.

A decrease in appetite is normal for cats in hot weather. Some animals may refuse food for up to a day. During the summer heat, it's important to adjust your cat's diet and follow these simple guidelines:

1. Feed dry food whenever possible. If your pet eats wet food or natural food, give preference to lighter foods.
2. If appetite is poor, feeding can be reduced to once a day.
3. It's best to feed your pet in the morning. If there's anything left in the bowl, remove it. Don't leave food out, as it spoils quickly, which can cause serious food poisoning.

If you notice your cat is hot, feed her some homemade, sugar-free ice cream. Give the cold treat in small, melted portions, using a teaspoon.

Pet cooling products

You can help your cat survive the heat with the help of simple devices.

Table: Cooling methods

Special attention to risk groups

Some categories of cats are more vulnerable to overheating.

These include:

• kittens up to 6 months

• elderly cats

• pregnant and lactating cats

• animals with chronic heart and respiratory diseases

• breeds with a shortened muzzle (Persians, British Shorthairs, Exotics)

For these pets, heat can be life-threatening. Providing them with a cool place to rest is especially important.

What to do in case of heat stroke?

Every owner should know how to protect a cat from the heat and what to do if heatstroke occurs. Heatstroke can be identified by the following signs:

• elevated body temperature and hot nose;
• lethargy, apathy;
• rapid breathing With protruding language (doggy style);
• increased salivation;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• trembling of the limbs;
• convulsions;
• fainting.

If you notice any of these symptoms, act immediately; delay can have serious consequences. First, wrap your pet in a damp towel to lower its body temperature. You can also cool your pet with a fan, but don't use a wet towel in combination with this. Otherwise, you increase the risk of catching a cold.

Be sure to offer your cat clean, cool water. If your pet can't drink on its own, soak a cloth in the water and wipe its gums with it. Call a veterinarian or go to the clinic. The doctor will administer a blood thinning injection and prescribe other medications depending on your pet's condition. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

When to seek veterinary help

Home remedies don't always help. If your cat exhibits the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

• loss of consciousness

• severe difficulty breathing

• high body temperature (over 40 °C)

• lack of response to the owner

Your veterinarian may prescribe IV fluid replacement, oxygen therapy, and medications to restore your body's function.

Prevention for the future

To make the heat less of an issue for your pet, you can prepare your apartment in advance:

• buy an air conditioner or a humidifier

• Provide the cat with a comfortable place in the shade with access to water

• Plan grooming in advance - excess thick fur interferes with cooling in the summer

Such measures will help the owner to be calmer, and the cat to feel better even in the hottest weather.

Cats have a hard time coping with heat in apartments, especially if the air temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius. Take care of your cat to prevent it from suffering.

Read also:

• How to take a cat's temperature at home
• What is considered a normal body temperature for a cat?
• The most unpretentious cats for an apartment