Heatstroke

Although not very common in cats, heatstroke is a very serious (even fatal) condition to watch out for in the coming warm months. Watch for:

• Panting
• Anxiety
• Increased heartbeat
• Hyperventilation
• Dark red gums
• Lethargy
• High Temperature
  (a normal temp in cats is
  between 100.5F and 101.5F)

Cats often bask in warm sunlight from their indoor spots, but too much heat is actually dangerous to a cat during hot summer months.

Tips to prevent heatstroke

• Keep cats indoors in a cool room
• Make sure there is plenty of cold water available. Place an ice cube in each bowl to keep the water cool and entice your kitty to drink.
• Place a frozen bag of peas under your kitty’s favorite napping place.
• Dampen a towel with cold water and rub your kitty down with it.
• Place their paws in shallow cool water, or rub ice cubes over the paw pads.

If your kitty shows any of the above signs of heatstroke, wet a towel with cold water and wrap it around your kitty. Then call City Cats or a local emergency hospital and have them seen IMMEDIATELY!