Cats appear to be able to endure the heat in ways that humans do not always. While you rush indoors for air conditioning as well as a cool drink, your kitty is laying plain out on hot asphalt, soaking up the radiation.
There is nothing more relaxing for a cat parent than snuggling up with a fluffy, warm cat. But it’s not just our preference to cuddle with them. They frequently seek us out, trying to pin us down on the chair, a couch, or bed.
Sure, they enjoy being near us. But, if you look up closely, you’ll notice that felines also strive out heat vents, warm blankets or sun puddles, radiators, and other items. Why do cats prefer warm objects?
Sunbeams are so appealing to cats because they help them restrict their body temperature while also conserving energy. Because the sun heats them, they expend less metabolic energy keeping warm and more on refueling from fighting, hunting, and defending territory, among other things.
What Makes Cats Appreciate Hot Weather?
Cats prefer warmer weather overall since they do not feel the heat in the same way humans do.
Young kittens, in specific, crave heat because they haven’t yet evolved the ability to regulate the temperature of the body. As a result, if the mother cat does not keep the kittens warm, they may perish.
However, a few cat breeds are much more heat-tolerant than the others, so don’t assume it was never “too warm” for the cat!
What Is The Normal Body Temperature Of Your Cat?
Your cat’s average body temperature should be between 100.5 and 102.5°F.
Because a human’s average body temperature is approximately 98.6°F, this means that your cat can endure hotter temperatures than you can. Even if your cat can tolerate higher temperatures, you must exercise extreme caution when allowing the temperature in your cat’s surroundings to rise.
Why Do Cats Endure Heat Better Than Humans?
Cats, in particular, tolerate warmth better than humans for a variety of species-specific explanations.
Most cats’ fur provides additional heat protection.
Surprisingly, a cat’s fur can help repel heat, which is particularly important to understand because cats do not sweat through their skin as humans do.
It implies that cats with light jackets, hairless kitties, or cats who have gotten shaved are far more likely to suffer from overheating and heatstroke than cats with fur.
- Cats Use Their Energy Wisely.
During scorching weather, you may realize your cat is “disappearing,” taking longer naps, or being less active. It is because kitties (unlike their canine counterparts) understand that conserving energy instead of exerting it during warm temperatures helps to keep their core body temperature down and prevents overheating.
Cats will rest during the relatively warm parts of the day, ideally in a cool area away from direct sunlight, and will save their actions for the earlier part of the day or late evenings.
- Cats Can Get Exhausted!
Sure, there are plenty of kitties who will gladly sit and chill in a ray of sunlight, but please remember that kitties can overheat. That’s correct: cats may get hyperthermia.
Remember that whenever the cat gets too hot, it can sweat only via its paw pads. Apart from that, if it becomes overheated, it can pant to start regulating the body temperature.
It is serious about being alert for the potential that your cat must get cooled down quickly. Failing to do so can worsen the condition, resulting in severe organ damage, seizures, death, or coma.
Take Precautions To Keep Your Cat From Overheating.
· On a warm day, never end up leaving your cat in a vehicle, as this could quickly become a life-threatening scenario. Otherwise, you don’t have to worry about your kitties if they seek out a suffocating hot area on their own.
· If your cat does spend time outside on hot days, make sure she has always had access to shaded, cool areas and plenty of clean water to drink whenever she wants. Better yet, let her stay in your house so she doesn’t overheat.
· In the same way, by which you would still not leave the cat in a hot car, don’t keep her in a desirable area of your home. Offer her an excellent spot to go when she needs to. If your residence becomes too warm for any purpose, including if your air conditioner cracks, take your little furry friend and the rest of the family to a safe, calm place.
Is It Okay To Let Your Cat Out In The Summer?
Cats, as previously stated, enjoy the heat. However, if it’s hot outside for you, it’ll be warm for your cat. You must limit your cat’s outdoor time on hot days. Hot side streets can be uncomfortable for your cat’s paws. For outdoor activities, a grassy area is preferable.
Also, a friendly reminder to never end up leaving your cat in a parked car. Temperatures within a vehicle can quickly rise. A car with the window panes slightly open on an 85-degree day can attain 102 degrees within 10 minutes.
What Is The Best Method To Tell If The Cat Is Dehydrated?
Your cat might become dehydrated if they do not consume enough fluid via drinking or snacking a wet (canned) diet. It is more likely to occur during the summer months. Regular hydration is essential for cats because it helps maintain a consistent body temperature, removes wastes, and promotes proper circulation.
Look at our top tips for determining if your cat is dehydrated:
• Examine your cat’s gums. If your cat’s gums are tacky or sticky, it could be a sign of dehydration.
• Examine the skin’s elasticity. The skin must instantly snap back into position in a well-hydrated cat. If it does not, it may be dehydrated.
• Examine your cat’s eyes. Severely dead eyes that show up dry can be an indication of severe dehydration.
• Examine your cat’s paws. If they feel cold or cool, it could be an indication of dehydration. Try seeking veterinary guidance if dehydration is suspected.
How To Keep Your Cat Warm Without Endangering It?
A hot pet bed is one option. Because the heating pad within the mattress is pressure-activated, it only heats up when the cat is in it.
Another option is to place their favorite bed, pillow, or blanket near, but not straight on, their heat source, so they are more willing to lie off the at a comfortable distance from it. The reality that cats prefer warm objects does not have to be hazardous to them or you. It doesn’t have to be uncomfortable, and you can provide them with the warmth they crave.
