What to do if your cat gets heatstroke

1. Transfer the cat to a cool place

After your cat gets heatstroke, the first thing you need to do is reduce the temperature of the space it is in. If the cat is outdoors, promptly move it to a cool and well-ventilated area. If the cat is indoors, immediately open the windows for ventilation or turn on the air conditioning.

2. Wipe the cat's paws with alcohol

Cats have different physiological functions than humans, and they can only dissipate heat through their paws and breathing. Therefore, when discovering that your cat has heatstroke, you can wipe its paws with alcohol to quickly and effectively lower its temperature.

3. Cool the cat's body with ice packs or wet towels

If the cat's temperature rises and you can feel the heat when touching it, it is recommended to wrap the cat's body with wet towels or wrap ice packs in towels and place them on the cat's neck, armpits, and inner thighs to help the cat's temperature drop below 39°C. Note that you should monitor the cat's temperature during the cooling process, otherwise, rapid cooling may cause hypothermia. Take the cat's rectal temperature as the main reference.

4. Encourage the cat to drink more water

High body temperature can gradually reduce the water content in the cat's body, so water supplement is crucial. Always provide your cat with ample and clean water, allowing it to drink whenever and wherever it wants. If your cat doesn't like to drink water, you can soak its food in water before feeding it, which can also increase its water intake.

5. Take the cat to the vet promptly

After emergency treatment and when the cat's condition improves, it is recommended to take it to the vet for a checkup. Especially when the cat shows symptoms of dehydration, it's best to go to the vet promptly for fluid replacement. If the cat has severe heatstroke, it is advisable to go to the vet immediately.