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Being that record heat is now being reported all over, I thought putting a sticky up regarding the danger signs to overheating and ways to prevent it, might be a good idea.
Your black cats will be most at risk for overheating if outdoors. Make sure that if you do let kitty out, they have ample shade and several bowls of water set in shaded areas at their disposal. If you have long-haired cats, a lion shave would be advisable to help them ward off the heat.
Put out piles of ice cubes or ice chips for the cat to munch on as well, or float some in the waterbowls to encourage them to drink. During the hottest part of the day, add about a cup of gatorade to a bowl of water to help the kitty replace electrolytes she might be losing.
Indoors, make sure the cat has cool places to lay down. Leave a little bit of water in the bathtubs or sinks so the kitty can play if getting overheated. Again, leave more than one bowl of water for the cat.
If the cat likes to lay on the bed, cover the bed with a large sheet, so when the cat lays down, she will lay on a cool surface and not a hot wad of blankets. Keep the shades drawn and air circulating.
Watch for these warning signs and IF you see any of these signs happening call your vet Immediately! While transporting cat to the vet, wrap the cat up in a damp towel and also have on hand a water bottle with a mixture of bach's rescue remedy and water. Should the cat start into heat stroke, spritzing her down with this mixture will help to destress her.
*Panting, the cat is having rapid panting and is starting to get unresponsive*
*Gently pinching the scruff of the neck resorts to the neck staying in the upright pinched position means your cat is getting dehydrated*
*The gums turn bright red*
*The cat begins to vomit more than a usual hairball*
*Diarrhea occurs*
Remember with these record temps and cat can overheat quickly and internal damage can occur if left untreated or unnoticed. Be sure you give your cat all that is within your means to do to help her pass the summertime in relative comfort.
Your black cats will be most at risk for overheating if outdoors. Make sure that if you do let kitty out, they have ample shade and several bowls of water set in shaded areas at their disposal. If you have long-haired cats, a lion shave would be advisable to help them ward off the heat.
Put out piles of ice cubes or ice chips for the cat to munch on as well, or float some in the waterbowls to encourage them to drink. During the hottest part of the day, add about a cup of gatorade to a bowl of water to help the kitty replace electrolytes she might be losing.
Indoors, make sure the cat has cool places to lay down. Leave a little bit of water in the bathtubs or sinks so the kitty can play if getting overheated. Again, leave more than one bowl of water for the cat.
If the cat likes to lay on the bed, cover the bed with a large sheet, so when the cat lays down, she will lay on a cool surface and not a hot wad of blankets. Keep the shades drawn and air circulating.
Watch for these warning signs and IF you see any of these signs happening call your vet Immediately! While transporting cat to the vet, wrap the cat up in a damp towel and also have on hand a water bottle with a mixture of bach's rescue remedy and water. Should the cat start into heat stroke, spritzing her down with this mixture will help to destress her.
*Panting, the cat is having rapid panting and is starting to get unresponsive*
*Gently pinching the scruff of the neck resorts to the neck staying in the upright pinched position means your cat is getting dehydrated*
*The gums turn bright red*
*The cat begins to vomit more than a usual hairball*
*Diarrhea occurs*
Remember with these record temps and cat can overheat quickly and internal damage can occur if left untreated or unnoticed. Be sure you give your cat all that is within your means to do to help her pass the summertime in relative comfort.
