Thanks to their desert-dwelling ancestors, cats tend to handle heat better than dogs — but that same instinct to hide discomfort often means dehydration and heatstroke go unnoticed until they're more serious.
1. Signs of dehydration
- Gums that feel tacky or look darker than usual
- Gently pinching the skin at the scruff and releasing it — it takes longer than normal to spring back (normally it snaps back instantly)
- Sunken-looking eyes or a noticeable drop in activity
- Noticeably less urine than usual
2. Signs of heatstroke
- Open-mouth panting (this is unusual for cats, which makes it an especially serious warning sign)
- Severe lethargy or slow responses
- Body feels hotter than usual to the touch
- Vomiting
Unlike dogs, cats almost never breathe with an open mouth under normal circumstances — if you see this, move your cat to a cool spot immediately and call your vet.
3. Summer prevention checklist
- Set out water in multiple spots: Cats tend to drink less if the water bowl feels far away or inconvenient. Place fresh water in several locations around the house.
- Try a water fountain: If your cat prefers running water, an automatic fountain can help increase how much they drink.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Even if your cat loves the window spot, block the midday heat with curtains or blinds.
- Ventilation and AC: Keep indoor temperatures in check, especially while you're out.
- Add wet food: Wet food has a much higher water content than dry kibble and naturally supports hydration.
4. What to do in an emergency
- Move your cat to a cool spot immediately.
- Gently dampen the body with a lukewarm, damp towel to lower body temperature gradually (avoid ice water, which can cause a dangerous sudden temperature drop).
- Monitor your cat's condition while calling and heading to the vet right away.
Cats are notoriously good at masking illness. Pay extra attention to small changes in behavior during the summer months.
