Cats and heat: the signs to watch
Cats handle warmth better than dogs, but they can still overheat. The ones at risk are flat-faced breeds, kittens, seniors, overweight or long-haired cats, and any cat with heart or airway disease. Early signs are restlessness, drooling, sweaty paw pads and a cat that stretches out on cool floors. Panting is never normal in a resting cat, and together with bright red gums, vomiting, staggering or collapse it is an emergency. Move the cat somewhere cool, wet the paws, ears and belly with cool but not icy water, put a fan nearby, offer water and call the vet. Never leave a cat in a parked car, a closed sunroom or on a sun-baked balcony.
Keeping cool at home
Shade and air movement do most of the work. Close curtains on the sunny side during the day, open windows with secure screens, and run a fan at floor level where the cat lies. Put out several water bowls in different rooms, add a fountain if your cat likes running water, and serve wet food, which carries a lot of moisture. A cool tile floor, a cooling mat or a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel gives the cat a place to choose. Brush out the undercoat daily, but never shave a cat to the skin: the coat insulates against heat and protects against sunburn. Pale ears and noses burn easily, so keep sun-worshippers indoors at midday or use a pet-safe sunscreen. Move play to the morning and evening.
Cats and cold
A healthy adult with a full coat copes well with a cool home, but kittens, seniors, thin or hairless cats, sick cats and anyone who goes outdoors need help. Shivering, cold ears and paws, lethargy and slow breathing mean the cat is getting too cold. Frostbite shows first on the ear tips, paw pads and tail as pale, cold or later dark skin. An outdoor cat needs an insulated shelter raised off the ground, bedded with straw rather than blankets, which hold moisture, and water that is checked so it has not frozen. Bang on the bonnet before starting the car, because cats climb into warm engine bays. Antifreeze tastes sweet and a teaspoon can be fatal, so store it safely and wipe paws after walks on treated roads. Road salt irritates paw pads too.
Winter indoors and the seasonal checklist
Indoor winters bring their own problems. Dry air means more dandruff and hairballs, so groom more and consider a humidifier. Cats hunt for heat: use radiator guards, a fireplace screen, and only heated pads with a cover and a thermostat. Candles and hot stoves are burn risks. Less activity plus the same food means winter weight gain, so measure meals and keep two short play sessions a day. Older cats with arthritis stiffen in the cold and benefit from warm beds, ramps and a check-up. Make a short checklist for each season: water, shade or warmth, grooming, the hazards of that season, and a vet visit for the cats in the risk groups. Kittens cannot regulate their own temperature in their first weeks, so a breeder's nursery follows its own rules.