How to Keep Your Cat Cool in an Australian Summer (and Spot Heatstroke Early)

Cats are famous for loving warm spots. They'll stretch out in a patch of sunshine for hours, and many people assume that means they cope well with heat. But an Australian summer is a different story. Long runs of hot days, humid nights and heatwaves can push cats past what their bodies can handle.

RSPCA Australia warns that heatstroke is a very serious condition that can lead to multiple organ failure, and that animals can die quickly if not treated. The good news is that heatstroke is largely preventable, and quick action can save a cat's life.

This guide explains how cats cope with heat, which cats are most at risk, the signs of heatstroke, exactly what to do in an emergency, and practical ways to keep your cat cool and comfortable all summer. It also covers a risk many owners don't know about: sunburn and skin cancer in pale cats.

How cats cool down

Cats don't sweat the way people do. They only have sweat glands in their paw pads, which isn't much help in a heatwave. Instead, cats rely mainly on:

• Resting in cool places, such as tiled floors, shady spots and under furniture
• Grooming, because saliva evaporating from their fur has a cooling effect
• Stretching out to lose heat through their body

Panting is not normal for cats in the way it is for dogs. A cat that pants is often struggling, and in hot weather it can be an early warning sign of overheating.

Which cats are most at risk?

RSPCA Australia says all animals are at risk of heatstroke, but some cats are more vulnerable than others. According to RSPCA Australia and the UK veterinary charity PDSA, higher-risk cats include:

• Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, such as Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs. Their short noses make it harder to release heat. PDSA notes they can be at risk even on days that don't seem especially hot.
• Overweight cats
• Cats with long or thick coats
• Very young kittens and elderly cats, which are less able to control their body temperature
• Cats with heart, lung or breathing problems
• Cats that are dehydrated

If your cat falls into any of these groups, take extra care on warm days.

How cats get heatstroke

Heatstroke in cats is often caused by being stuck somewhere hot, rather than by exercise. PDSA says the most common cause is a cat being accidentally trapped in a hot, poorly ventilated space. Common examples include:

• Garden sheds and garages
• Sunrooms and enclosed verandahs
• Cars
• Laundries, cupboards and spare rooms closed up on a hot day
• Clothes dryers (always check before you start one)

Cats also love to hide in boxes, bags and cupboards. On hot days, a curious cat can climb into a space and get shut in without anyone noticing.

Never leave a cat in a car

RSPCA Australia is clear: never leave your pet in a car or vehicle. PDSA adds that this applies even for a short time and even with the windows open. Cars heat up very quickly in Australian sun. If you need to travel with your cat in summer, keep the air conditioning on and never leave it alone in the car.

Signs of heatstroke in cats

RSPCA Australia and PDSA list these signs. Early signs can progress quickly, so act at the first ones.

Early signs

• Panting or fast breathing
• Drooling
• Restlessness or agitation
• Gums that are very red or pale, or a bright red tongue
• A fast heart rate
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Weakness

Severe signs

• Confusion, dizziness or staggering
• Muscle tremors
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Little or no urine
• Unconsciousness or coma

PDSA warns that once a cat's temperature rises above 40°C, heatstroke can cause severe dehydration, seizures, blood clotting problems, organ damage, coma and death.

What to do if you think your cat has heatstroke

Heatstroke is an emergency. RSPCA Australia advises contacting your vet immediately if you suspect your pet has heatstroke. PDSA recommends these first aid steps while you arrange to get your cat to a vet:

1. Move your cat somewhere cool. Take it out of the heat into a cool room, shade or air conditioning.
2. Cool your cat gradually. Wet its fur with cool tap water, keeping water away from its nose and mouth. Use a fan or open windows to create a breeze, which helps the water evaporate.
3. Use a wrapped cold pack carefully. PDSA suggests wrapping an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a tea towel and placing it between your cat's legs. Never put ice directly on the skin.
4. Offer water, but don't force it. Let your cat drink if it wants to. Forcing water can cause it to inhale it.
5. Call your vet and go straight away. Travel with the air conditioning on or windows open, and if possible have someone keep cooling your cat on the way.

What not to do

PDSA advises against:

• Wrapping your cat in a wet towel, which can trap heat and make it hotter
• Cuddling your cat close while it's overheating, for the same reason
• Forcing your cat to drink

Even if your cat seems to recover after cooling, it still needs to see a vet. Heatstroke can damage internal organs, and problems may not show straight away.

How vets treat heatstroke

According to PDSA, vets cool cats safely using water, fans, cold packs and sometimes a fluid drip. Severe cases may need oxygen, medication or anaesthesia. Blood and urine tests are used to check for kidney damage and clotting problems, and serious cases may need several days in hospital.

PDSA notes that the quicker a cat with heatstroke is cooled and taken to a vet, the better its chances of a full recovery. Mild cases treated quickly usually recover well, while long periods of overheating or delays in treatment can lead to organ damage or death.

How to keep your cat cool at home

Water, water everywhere

RSPCA Australia recommends plenty of fresh water, with spare water in case a bowl is knocked over. Tips:

• Put out several water bowls in different rooms, especially cool ones.
• Use heavy, wide bowls that are hard to tip over.
• Add a few ice cubes on very hot days.
• Try a cat water fountain. Many cats prefer moving water and drink more from it.
• Wet food can also add moisture to your cat's diet.

Create cool spots

• Keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day.
• Leave interior doors open so your cat can move to the coolest room.
• Let your cat lie on tiles, in the bathtub or on a cool floor.
• Freeze a water bottle, wrap it in a towel and leave it where your cat likes to rest.
• Try a cooling mat designed for pets. Check it's safe if chewed.
• Use a fan to move air around the house, but make sure cords and blades are out of reach.

Bring outdoor cats inside

RSPCA Australia suggests bringing pets indoors if your house is cooler than outside. If your cat uses an outdoor enclosure, make sure it has full shade all day, good airflow and plenty of water, and bring your cat inside during heatwaves. Our guide to cat enclosures and catios covers shade and ventilation.

Check before you close doors

Make a habit of checking sheds, garages, cupboards, wardrobes, laundries and the clothes dryer before you close them, especially on hot days.

Grooming

Regular brushing removes loose undercoat, which helps air move through your cat's fur. This is especially helpful for long-haired breeds. Ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice before clipping a cat's coat, since fur also helps protect the skin from the sun.

Keep play gentle

Save play sessions for the cooler early morning and evening. Avoid encouraging your cat to run around in the heat of the day.

Keep your cat at a healthy weight

PDSA notes that overweight cats are at higher risk of heatstroke. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight helps all year round.

Plan for power outages and heatwaves

Australian heatwaves can bring power cuts. Have a plan: know which room in your home stays coolest, keep frozen water bottles in the freezer, and know where you could take your cat if your home becomes too hot.

Leaving your cat home alone on a hot day

If you'll be out during a heatwave, set your home up before you leave. Close blinds on the sunny side of the house, leave the coolest rooms open, put out extra water in more than one place, and leave a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel. If your home gets very hot and you have air conditioning, consider leaving it on a moderate setting. Ask a neighbour or friend to check on your cat if a heatwave lasts several days.

Sunburn and skin cancer in cats

Australia's strong UV affects cats too. The Cat Protection Society of NSW warns that white cats are the most likely to get skin cancer, because of their light fur and pale skin. Cats with light-coloured fur on the nose or ears are also prone to sunburn, and repeated sunburn can lead to skin cancer.

Early signs to watch for

The Cat Protection Society lists these signs on the ears, nose and around the eyes:

• Red skin
• Flaky skin
• Sores that may look like a scratch
• Hair loss
• Over-grooming or scratching the area
• Black discolouration around the ear tips, especially in white cats

See your vet as soon as possible if you notice any of these. Caught early, skin cancer can sometimes be treated by removing the affected area, according to the Cat Protection Society.

Protecting pale cats from the sun

The Cat Protection Society recommends:

• Keep white cats and cats with pale ears, noses or eyelids indoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11am to 4pm.
• Use a pet-safe sunscreen or zinc on the ears and nose if your cat goes outside, and reapply it as directed.
• Never use human sunscreen on cats. The Cat Protection Society warns it is toxic to cats.
• Remember windows. Cats can get sunburnt through some types of glass, so even indoor cats that lie in sunny windows may need protection.

Ask your vet which sun protection products are safe for your cat.

Other summer hazards for cats

Summer brings more than heat. Watch out for:

• Snakes, which are more active in warm weather. See our guide to snake bites in cats.
• Paralysis ticks on the east coast. Read our guide to paralysis ticks in cats.
• Christmas lilies in festive bouquets, which can cause fatal kidney failure. Read why lilies are deadly to cats.

Summer safety checklist for cat owners

• [ ] Several bowls of fresh water around the house, plus a spare.
• [ ] Blinds closed and cool rooms open on hot days.
• [ ] Outdoor cats brought inside during heatwaves.
• [ ] Sheds, garages, cupboards and the dryer checked before closing.
• [ ] Never leave your cat in a car.
• [ ] Pale-eared cats kept inside from 11am to 4pm, with pet-safe sun protection.
• [ ] Your 24-hour emergency vet's number saved in your phone.
• [ ] If you see panting, drooling or weakness in the heat: cool your cat and call a vet.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for a cat to pant in hot weather?

Not really. Occasional brief panting after play can happen, but panting in hot weather is a warning sign that your cat may be overheating. Move it somewhere cool and call your vet if it doesn't stop quickly or if your cat shows other signs.

Should I shave my cat for summer?

Talk to your vet or a professional groomer first. Regular brushing to remove loose undercoat is usually the safer option. A cat's coat also protects its skin from sunburn.

Can I use ice to cool my cat?

PDSA suggests a wrapped ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables placed between your cat's legs, alongside cool tap water and a breeze. Never put ice directly on your cat's skin, and always get your cat to a vet.

Can indoor cats get heatstroke?

Yes. Homes without air conditioning can become very hot during heatwaves, and cats can get shut in hot rooms, cupboards or garages. Keep cool areas open and water available.

Can I put sunscreen on my cat?

Only use a sunscreen or zinc made for pets. The Cat Protection Society of NSW warns that human sunscreen is toxic to cats.

What temperature is too hot for cats?

There's no single safe number, because humidity, airflow, shade and your cat's health all matter. Flat-faced, overweight, very young and elderly cats can struggle even on moderately warm days. Watch your cat, not just the thermometer.

Sources

• RSPCA Australia, Warm weather worries: protect your pets from heatstroke
• PDSA, Heatstroke in cats
• Cat Protection Society of NSW, Factsheet: skin cancer in cats

This guide is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your vet. If you think your cat has heatstroke, cool it and contact a vet immediately.