Can cats sweat?

SillyTilly · 03-07-2006, 10:07 PM

Just wondering if keeping a fan on will help keep the kittens cool?

If not what top tips do you have to keep cats cool in this hot weather.

Cheers

Olivia

Hreow · 03-07-2006, 10:36 PM

A fan will help keep them cool, if they can handle the draft. (So don't aim it directly at them.) Cold-packs - fill a hot-water bottle with cold water, or wind a towel around an ice-pack.
Cat's only sweat through their paws, as far as I know.

Fran · 03-07-2006, 10:41 PM

Cats are surprisingly good at finding a cool and shaded spot

As far as I know they sweat through the pads on their paws..

dandysmom · 03-07-2006, 10:57 PM

I've also always been told they sweat only through their paw pads. But they're good at fiding the coolest spot in the house.

Kim · 03-07-2006, 10:58 PM

Unlike dogs who pant when they're hot, cats sweat through their paws I believe. We have a fan on and it helps keep us all cool - cats & dog included!

Snoof · 03-07-2006, 11:56 PM

Cats do sweat through their pawpads - they can also pant, but usually manage to find a cool spot. Another thing is that catfur is awesome for trapping cool or warm air, which is why it's excellent for keeping cool in summer or warm in winter.

I actually encountered someone on a different forum a few days ago who has just shaved her cats "to help them cool down" and had to explain to her that she's basically shot them in the foot a bit as far as that goes...

dandysmom · 04-07-2006, 02:19 AM

Snoof, that's incredible!! Shaved her cats to help them keep cool...??? The world is certainly full of awfully misinformed people, isn't it? Poor babies...and I personally cannot imagine trying to shave a cat (Leia wouldn't stand for it

)...I wonder if she lathered them up first (snicker)

CathyW · 04-07-2006, 10:47 AM

mine are all hanging out in the bedroom, coolest room in the hse
i went back to bed this morning and i had ronnie *shouting* at me cause i was in HIS spot

yola · 04-07-2006, 11:42 AM

I understand the 'lion cut' is quite popular in the US and other hot countries, especially for long-haired cats and that it does go some way to keeping them cool.

I seriously considered it for Fifi back in 2003 as she's got a VERY thick coat and suffers in the heat. Vet said the stress it would cause wasn't worth it.

One word of warning, unlike a dog - if a cat starts panting it's usually a danger sign that the animal is becoming potentially dehydrated and overheated and you should take remedial action.

Poor Fifi just lays all day by the front door. It's in shade and there's a draught that blows from under the door so I suppose she like it there. The boys mope around and wail a lot - I really do think they don't like this weather very much at all

CJK · 04-07-2006, 11:47 AM

can you imagine princess with a lion cut? She looks miserable enough as it is lol.

My lot just find a corner each and sleep, alisha fits behind the sofa and seems to like it there. MD likes it near the PC towers as we ahve three fans blowing cool air out of it.

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