August is approaching, and the hottest time of the year is finally here!

The editor found that friends around me who had cats all shaved their cats in unison because they were worried that the cats would get hot.

Looking at the shaved kitten, the editor couldn’t help but think: Are cats afraid of heat? After consulting a lot of information and combining the experience of senior cat poop scrapers, the editor finally found the answer Let’s read the answer with the editor!

01

Cats’ ancestors first lived in the Sahara Desert, so cats are born with a higher body temperature than humans (normal cat body temperature ranges from 38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius). Therefore, cats are more heat-resistant than everyone thinks.

Generally speaking, cats will not feel uncomfortable until the temperature exceeds 52 degrees. According to foreign research, cats can even tolerate temperatures of 133°F (56°C) in the presence of water.

But this does not mean that cats will not suffer from heat stroke at around 30 degrees Celsius! In the hot season, poop scrapers still need to always pay attention to the health of cats and help cats create a more comfortable living environment.

02

Will shaving help cats cool down??

Many cat owners will fall into the wrong understanding. In fact, thick cat hair will not directly cause the cat’s body temperature to rise.

In fact, there is a structure between cat hair and skin called an air layer, which can effectively regulate body temperature and buffer direct sunlight and ultraviolet damage. After shaving a cat, it not only destroys the structure of the air layer, but also It makes the skin more susceptible to bacterial infection and does not have a cooling effect.

The correct approach is: be a diligent shoveler and comb the hair more often. Long-haired cats can be trimmed appropriately, but they cannot be shaved clean or the foot hair is trimmed, because the cat’s sweat glands are mainly distributed in the flesh. Near the pads and around the mouth, these places can effectively dissipate heat.

　03

Symptoms of heatstroke in cats

The body temperature rises and exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, listless, fatigued, lethargic and panting, and may stick out the tongue or breathe violently; is the cat afraid of heat (are cats afraid of heat in summer)

Summer

Is a cat afraid of heat? (Are cats afraid of heat in summer?) The tongue may appear bright red, but usually the cat’s tongue is pink; the gumsIt becomes unusually red or pale; the eyes and oral mucosa become congested, and the saliva may become thicker and thicker; is the cat afraid of heat (are cats afraid of heat in summer?) You can clearly feel that the cat's mood becomes anxious, and it may lick itself bald ; Walking may become wobbly, making it difficult to walk, which is a sign of dizziness; Is the cat afraid of heat (Are cats afraid of heat in summer) Is the cat afraid of heat (Are cats afraid of heat in summer) Muscle tremors in cats are due to lack of General spasm caused by oxygen; vomiting and diarrhea. This kind of vomiting and diarrhea is more serious and may be bloody; when the situation worsens, the cat's blood pressure will drop, and the tongue and mucous membranes in the mouth may turn purple;

　04

What should I do if my cat has heatstroke?

　(1) Reduce the cat’s temperature

When a cat shows symptoms of mild heat stroke, the cat should be moved to a cool place immediately. The cat's hair can be appropriately brushed aside, and the cat's skin surface can be gently wetted with water spray to lower its surface temperature.

(2) Ice pack cold compress

If the cat suffers from moderate heat stroke, walks slightly wobbly and is dizzy, you can let the cat lie down to rest, then soak the towel and cover it;

Are cats afraid of heat (Are cats afraid of heat in summer)

In more serious cases, you can use a towel to wrap an ice pack for wet compress, which can be applied to the top of the head, armpits, thighs, etc., but be careful not to keep it too long.

(3) Give light salt water

If the cat is awake and able to swallow, you can use a syringe or small spoon to feed the cat some light salt water to ensure sufficient body fluids and prevent dehydration.

04

If your body temperature is too high, you should be sent to the hospital in time

If the cat has a high body temperature, is unconscious, or even has convulsions and coma, it must not be left alone and should be sent to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.

​05

Correct operations to help cats cool down and escape the heat

(1) Turn on the fan or air conditioner

Compared to air conditioners, more cats actually prefer electric fans in rooms with good ventilation. Because it is a bit too cold for the cat compared to the temperature that the dog owner likes. At the same time, cats also like the feeling of electric fans blowing up the fluff on their bodies to cool them down.

(2) Arrange mats/ice mats

Summer mats and ice pads are essential cat-raising equipment for families. CatsSleeping on a mat or ice pad can achieve a physical cooling effect. Compared with air conditioners, ice pads are not harmful to cats.

(3) Add more water

In summer, cats also need to add a lot of water. Cats can speed up circulation in the body by drinking water, and can also discharge the heat in the body through urine to achieve a cooling effect.

In summary, although cats are naturally heat-resistant, they are also at risk of heatstroke in hot summers. Poop scrapers must not take it lightly and act quickly to help cats live happily and healthily. Spend the hot summer!