CLIMATE CHANGE – believe in it or not, this summer is a hottie. And cats are especially vulnerable to heat stroke
and dehydration as they age. Your cat loses as much water through their saliva as they do through their urine
during the summer, because they lick themselves to cool off. Cats can only sweat through their footpads, and, to an
extent, through panting. However, by the time your cat is panting on a hot day, it is close to heat stroke.
Your cat’s kidneys are amazing at concentrating and conserving water, and when all her organs are working well
and sending the correct messages to the brain, then, as long as fresh water is available, she will drink enough
to prevent dehydration. HOWEVER, as cats get older (and this means from as young as 8 years old),their
internal messaging systems can become inefficient. This means that your cat may not detect that their
licking themselves to cool off is losing extra water and so they do not drink more. This puts extra strain
on their kidneys, which can precipitate kidney failure. Tragic, and we do see it a couple of times each
summer.
Air-conditioning is a problem as it dehydrates imperceptibly as well – the dehumidifying effect is the same problem – losing water from
the mouth and nose. Old people have similar problems. WHAT TO DO – because Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure.
Awareness
If your cat already has ‘renal insufficiency’ –
detected by a simple urine test which shows
the kidneys have lost their reserve so that the
concentration of the urine is reduced – then
most of these tips will apply. If in doubt –
BOOK A URINE TEST NOW – any cat over 8
should have their urine tested annually at
least. Phone Dr Kim Cat Vet on 0400 756
331. Information is ALWAYS worth
having.
Increase Water Intake
Not with salt or additives but straight water – WET
YOUR CAT if she is lying in the sun. Cats are solarpowered,
of course, but if they fall asleep and
overheat or dehydrate, they can wake up in trouble.
Once they feel sick, they stop drinking and eating and
the vicious cycle spins quickly out of control. The next
stage is vomiting (particularly fluidy foam rather than
bile), and medical attention is required urgently. So –
put a wet cloth over your cat, or make their legs wet –
they will think you are mad the first time, but as they
lick the (extra) water off, they feel better and actually
quite enjoy it then. The water is doing three things
– cooling the cat, saving their saliva and increasing
their intake. You can also offer water in a Water
Fountain – the running water is attractive to many
cats, and rehumidifies the air. Frozen Treats – at the
zoo they freeze little fish and even kangaroo treats in
ice blocks. Licking them cools the cat, while they wait
for it to melt so they can eat the treat! Even freezing
stock – flavoured with ‘roo, chicken or tuna – into ice
cubes and putting them into water is a tasty, watery
diversion.
Kool your Cat
Fans are better than air-conditioning, but blow them
over a bowl of water if possible. Do not blow a fan onto
a wet cat directly – you can make them cold too quickly.
Chatswood Cat Central has some interesting mats
called ‘Cool Necessities’ – a crystal-filled mat that holds
water and cools by evapouration for 5 days.
‘Cool Necessities’ really work – even on people! Also,
put your cat’s favourite bed in the shade so they sleep
there not in the sun.
Be inventive and TELL US!
