Do Cats Sweat? How Cats Stay Cool Through Indian Summers

In this guide

With Indian summers regularly pushing past forty degrees in many regions, cat owners often wonder how their pets cope with the heat, given that we rarely see a cat looking sweaty the way a person does after exercise.

Cats do sweat, just barely

Cats do have sweat glands, but only in their paw pads, so the amount of cooling this provides is minimal. You may notice slightly damp paw prints on a hot floor or during a stressful vet visit, but this is not their main way of managing heat.

How cats really cool down

• Grooming, since saliva evaporating off the fur has a cooling effect similar to sweat
• Seeking out cool surfaces, such as bathroom tiles or marble floors
• Stretching out to increase the body surface exposed to air
• Panting, which is uncommon in cats and usually a sign of significant heat stress or another medical issue rather than a normal cooling method

Cats at higher risk in the heat

Flat faced breeds such as Persians, along with senior cats, overweight cats and kittens, struggle more in extreme heat and need extra care during Indian summers.

Signs of heat stress

• Open mouthed panting or rapid breathing
• Drooling, lethargy or wobbliness
• Bright red gums or tongue

If you notice these signs, move your cat to a cool, shaded area immediately, offer fresh water, and place a towel dampened with cool, not ice cold, water against the body while you arrange to see a vet, since heat stroke can become life threatening quickly. Avoid giving human oral rehydration solutions unless your vet specifically advises it, since the sugar and electrolyte balance is formulated for people, not cats.

Keeping your cat comfortable

• Provide shaded, well ventilated resting spots away from direct sun, especially on balconies
• Keep fresh water available in multiple spots around the home
• Avoid leaving a cat in a closed room without airflow during peak afternoon heat
• Never leave a cat inside a parked car, even briefly, since temperatures inside can climb to dangerous levels within minutes
• Brush long haired cats regularly to reduce excess coat during summer

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.