Indoor Cats: When Does Comfort Become Overheating?

Cats are known to enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures, but it is important to be aware of how hot is too hot for our feline friends, especially indoor cats. Cats have a higher body temperature than humans, ranging from 100.5 to 102.5°F, so they can tolerate warmer climes better than we can. However, this does not mean they are immune to overheating, and it is crucial to keep them cool and comfortable during hot weather.

Cats' body temperature

Cats have a higher body temperature than humans. While the normal human body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C), a cat's normal body temperature is typically between 100.5 to 102.5°F (38.3 to 39.2°C). This means that cats can tolerate warmer temperatures better than humans. However, it is important to note that cats can still overheat and are at risk of heat-related health issues as they cannot sweat and regulate their body temperature like humans.

Cats are most vulnerable when the temperature rises above 80°F, as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sunburn are all possible complications. If you find your cat in a warmer environment that exceeds 80°F, monitor them for symptoms of heat exhaustion or other forms of heat injury. If your cat shows any signs of heat injury, such as difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, or a temperature of 104°F or above, take them to the vet immediately.

To prevent heat-related issues, it is recommended to maintain a comfortable house temperature for indoor cats between 60° and 70°F. Even though cats can tolerate higher temperatures, it is important to provide them with a cool and comfortable environment. Keep the air conditioning running or use fans to maintain a moderate temperature. Ensure your cat has access to plenty of fresh water and create dark and cool places away from direct sunlight where they can retreat to cool down.

On the other hand, it is important to prevent your cat from getting too cold, as hypothermia can be a serious health concern for cats, especially those with short hair or no hair, during the winter months. If your cat's body temperature drops below 99°F (37.2°C), seek veterinary attention. Use blankets, heating pads, and heated water bottles to warm your cat, but avoid using a hair dryer as it can be unsafe.

Heatstroke symptoms

Cats can typically tolerate heat fairly well, but they still need to be kept cool during hot weather. Cats have a higher body temperature than humans—a cat's normal body temperature is between 100.5 to 102.5 °F, while a human's is around 98.6 °F. However, if a cat's body temperature rises above 104 °F, this is considered heatstroke, which can be life-threatening.

Heatstroke is a serious condition and symptoms should always be treated as an emergency. If your cat is displaying signs of heatstroke, take them to the vet straight away or go to the nearest animal emergency hospital. While transporting your cat to the vet, keep the vehicle's windows open or air conditioning on full to help cool your cat down.

Some symptoms of heatstroke in cats include:

• Uncoordinated movement
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea, which may contain blood
• Pinpoint spots of bleeding on the skin, whites of the eyes, gums, inside of the ears, and belly
• Labored breathing, panting, and wheezing
• Collapse, inability to walk or stand up
• Rectal temperature greater than 104 °F
• Increased heart and respiratory rate
• A temperature of 104 °F or above
• Difficulty breathing

If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, you can take some steps to help cool them down while you transport them to the vet:

• Move your cat to a cool, air-conditioned area.
• Place a slightly cool, damp towel on your cat's back and, if they allow it, under their belly.
• Rub cool water on their paw pads and ears.
• Offer your cat cool water to drink, with some ice cubes if possible.

Keeping indoor cats cool

Cats generally enjoy temperatures between 75-80°F (23.8-26.6°C). Their bodies are warmer than humans, with a typical body temperature of 100.5-102.5°F (38-39.1°C). While cats can tolerate warmer temperatures than us, it's important to keep them cool when the weather is hot.

Use Air Conditioning

Veterinarians recommend setting your air conditioning to a moderate but comfortable temperature, such as 75-78°F (23.8-25.6°C). Leaving a fan on is not enough to cool down your cat, as fans work by evaporating sweat, which cats do not produce in the same way as humans. However, a fan can be useful in conjunction with other cooling methods.

Provide Dark and Cool Spaces

Even though cats enjoy sunbathing, ensure they have access to dark and cool places away from direct sunlight. Close curtains or blinds to keep the heat out, especially if your home is already warm.

Offer Plenty of Water

Provide multiple water sources in different locations, and consider adding ice cubes to the water bowl to keep the water cool. You can also purchase special water bowls, such as the Coolin' Bowl, which can keep water cool for several hours.

Use Cooling Beds and Mats

Consider purchasing a cooling bed or mat for your cat, such as the Cool Bed III, which doesn't require electricity. Just add water and keep it in a shady place with good airflow. Remember to trim your cat's nails to prevent puncturing the bed.

Groom Excess Fur

Grooming your cat's excess fur can help keep them cool. Cats also naturally groom themselves to spread skin oils and cool down through evaporation.

Wipe with a Wet Cloth

Gently wiping your cat with a damp cloth can help cool them down. You can also provide damp towels for them to lie on.

Apply Pet-Safe Sunscreen

White cats and those with thin or no hair, such as Bengal, Abyssinian, and Sphynx breeds, may need sunscreen to protect their skin from sun damage. Ensure you use a sunscreen that does not contain zinc oxide, as this can be toxic to cats if ingested.

Monitor for Signs of Overheating

Watch for signs that your cat may be too hot, such as panting, drooling, or drinking more water than usual. Older cats and those with pre-existing medical conditions, heart disease, or lung conditions are more susceptible to heat-related issues. If you notice any symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, such as difficulty breathing or a temperature above 104°F (40°C), seek veterinary help immediately.

How cats cool off

Cats have a range of ways to cool themselves down when the weather gets too hot. Firstly, they are meticulous groomers, and their saliva acts as a natural coolant. As they lick their fur, the saliva evaporates, taking heat away from their body. This is similar to the way humans sweat to cool down.

Cats also have sweat glands in their paw pads, which they use to cool themselves down. Their brains send a message to their paw pads to start sweating when their body temperature rises.

Cats also cool down by seeking out cool surfaces, such as sprawling on tile floors, napping in shady spots, or curling up near air vents. They also have a higher body temperature than humans, so they can tolerate slightly warmer temperatures.

However, cats can be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and injuries, especially when the temperature rises above 80°F. In these conditions, they are at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sunburn. If you notice your cat panting heavily, drooling, vomiting, or showing signs of lethargy, it may be suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and you should seek immediate veterinary advice.

To help your cat cool off, you can:

• Provide plenty of fresh water.
• Create cool retreats, such as cardboard boxes lined with towels, cat beds placed near cool floors, or shady spots in your yard.
• Limit sun exposure by keeping your cat indoors during the hottest parts of the day and closing curtains or blinds.
• Use air conditioning or electric fans to keep the air moving.
• Brush your cat's coat regularly to prevent loose fur from trapping heat.
• Provide cooling mats or vests for additional relief on very hot days.
• Use a damp washcloth to gently wipe down your cat's fur, being careful to avoid its head.
• Offer your cat icy treats, such as frozen tuna brine or chicken broth.

Ideal indoor temperatures

Cats tend to tolerate hot weather better than dogs. They are smart about cooling off in hot weather and will often seek out cold surfaces like tiled floors to lie on. However, they can still suffer from hyperthermia or heat stroke if they spend too much time in the sun.

A cat's normal body temperature is between 100.5 to 102.5°F, which is higher than the average human body temperature of 98.6°F. This means that cats can tolerate warmer temperatures than humans. However, it is important to be cautious about how high the temperature gets in their environment.

Veterinarians recommend leaving the air conditioning on if you are not at home, set so that the temperature does not exceed 78 to 80°F. Running a fan is not enough to keep cats cool, as fans work by evaporating sweat, which cats do not produce in the same way as humans.

If your cat goes outdoors, be mindful of how hot it is outside. Even if your cat loves the warmth, some days will be too hot for them. Take them outside for short periods during cooler times of the day, such as the early morning or evening.

If you have feral cats that cannot come inside, provide them with shady spaces, raised beds, and access to a covered, ventilated space like an air-conditioned patio. Leave out a cooling bowl to keep their drinking water cool.

Signs that your cat may be too hot include panting, drooling, and drinking more water than usual. If you notice these symptoms, take steps to cool them down, such as providing them with ice water or wiping them with a wet cloth. If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, take them to the vet immediately.

Frequently asked questions