Call a vet now
Cat overheating or heatstroke: how to cool them safely
Cats overheat fastest when shut somewhere they were not meant to be — a car, a greenhouse, a conservatory. Cooling helps, but only done gently; the usual mistakes are ice water and a wet towel, both of which trap heat.
Signs that this is what you are seeing
- Panting, drooling, bright red gums
- Wobbly or unresponsive after being shut in a car, greenhouse or conservatory
- Vomiting with a very hot body
What to do now
- 1Call a vet immediately while you begin cooling, and leave for the clinic as directed.
- 2Move to shade or an air-conditioned room immediately.
- 3Wet the fur with cool — not cold — water, especially the belly, armpits and paws.
- 4Offer small amounts of water if they are fully alert, and head to a clinic.
Never do this
- Never use ice or ice water.
- Do not wrap them in a wet towel — it traps heat.
- Do not force water into the mouth of a drowsy cat.
Find a vet clinic near you
Open the Felper emergency toolkit to search for nearby clinics and check their opening-hours information before you travel.
Other cat emergencies
- Straining in the litter boxA male cat that cannot pass urine is a life-threatening emergency within hours.
- Ate or licked something toxicLilies, antifreeze, paracetamol and flea products made for dogs are all lethal to cats.
- Trouble breathingCats almost never pant. Open-mouth breathing is an emergency until proven otherwise.
- Fall, road accident or crush injuryCats hide internal injuries well — a cat that walks away can still be bleeding internally.