Summer is officially here, bringing longer days, beautiful sunshine, and that relaxed summer holiday atmosphere that we all look forward to. But while you’re busy enjoying the warmth, your cat may be dealing with a different experience. Unlike humans, cats aren’t efficient at regulating their body temperature, making them highly susceptible to overheating, even in temperatures that you may consider comfortable. As cat parents, it’s absolutely crucial that we understand the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, learn to recognize the subtle warning signs, and be prepared to react appropriately. In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how hot is too hot for cats, provide you with the information necessary to keep your cat safe, and share some practical tips for keeping them cool on even the hottest summer days. After all, we want them to enjoy their summer vacation, too! Understanding How Heat Affects Your Cat The first step in keeping your cat safe is understanding how their body responds to and interacts with heat, especially extreme heat, and why they are so vulnerable to overheating. When the temperatures climb, humans sweat to cool down. Our cats, however, have a harder time regulating their body temperature and staying comfortable. What is Considered Normal Cat Body Temperature? A healthy cat’s normal body temperature ranges between 100.4∘F and 102.5∘F (38∘C and 39.2∘C). This may seem a bit higher than expected because it’s higher than what is considered normal, but their bodies do generally run warmer. If your cat’s temperature rises beyond this range, their body has to work harder to cool it back down. If they are unable to get back to a healthy temperature quickly enough, they could face severe health conditions, such as heat exhaustion and ultimately, heat stroke. How Cats Regulate Temperature (And Why It’s Limited)While cats don’t sweat like people, there are a few natural ways they may try to cool themselves off. However, it’s essential that we recognize these methods of cooling and regulating body temperature are significantly less efficient, leaving them vulnerable to overheating. Panting: Dogs are known to pant heavily when they need to cool down. With cats, panting isn’t as common and usually means a more serious situation – they are highly stressed, in pain, or significantly overheating. If you see your cat panting, it’s a red flag. Sweating: Previously, I said that cats don’t sweat like humans, but they do have a few (very few) sweat glands. These are primarily found on their paw pads. You may occasionally see damp paw prints on a cool surface if your cat is hot, and they can help a tiny bit, but they aren’t effective as a major cooling strategy for the entire body. Grooming/Saliva Evaporation: Cats often groom themselves when they’re feeling overheated. As the saliva evaporates from their fur, it offers an evaporative cooling effect, similar to how sweat evaporating off our skin cools us. Seeking Shade/Cool Surfaces: The most common way a cat will try to cool down is by seeking out a shaded, cool environment. For example, they may try stretching out on a cool tile or hardwood floor. While this helps, it’s often not enough in truly hot temperatures. So, How Hot is Too Hot for Cats? There isn’t a single “magic number” that makes an environment too hot for every cat. Instead, there are many different individual factors that will play a role. However, a general rule of thumb is that temperatures of 80°F (26.7°C) and higher are considered risky for most cats. This is especially true if combined with these risk factors: High Humidity: This makes it harder for evaporative cooling methods (such as panting and saliva evaporation) to work effectively, trapping heat in the body. A 70°F day with high humidity can be more dangerous than an 80°F day with low humidity.Enclosed Spaces: When discussing this topic, we typically refer to the life-threatening risk of leaving a cat in a parked car. Even for “just a minute” with the windows cracked, the temperatures inside can rise quickly turning the vehicle into an oven. But this also applies to unventilated rooms, sunrooms, or carriers left in direct sunlight. Individual Sensitivity: Just like people, some cats are going to be more susceptible to heat than others. This is why it’s so important for cat parent to get to know their cats, their usual behaviors, and their comfort levels. Is Your Cat at High Risk for Heat Exhaustion?While any cat can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, there are some that are at a significantly higher risk of overheating. Consider whether your cat fits into any of the following high-risk groups: Age: Very young kittens and senior cats are less efficient at regulating their body temperatures, making them more susceptible to extreme temperatures. Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Breeds: Cat breeds with flatter faces, like Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs, are particularly susceptible to overheating. Their facial structure means they have shortened airways, making it more difficult for them to breathe efficiently, which in turn makes it harder for them to cool themselves through panting. Coat Types: A dense coat can offer some insulation against heat. However, long-haired or dense-coated cats can struggle more in high temperatures, especially if their undercoat isn’t regularly groomed out. Activity Level: Overly active or playful cats are at risk of pushing themselves too hard in a hot environment, which can cause their internal temperature to rise. Health Conditions: Cats with underlying health issues, such as heart disease, respiratory problems (like asthma), obesity, or arthritis (which limits their ability to move to cooler spots), are at an increased risk. If your cat falls into any one (or multiple) of these high-risk categories, knowledge is power. Recognizing that they are more vulnerable to overheating is the first step in taking the steps necessary to keep them safe and healthy.
