Emergency · Cats

My cat has heatstroke: what to do in the first 10 minutes

Heatstroke in cats is much less common than in dogs but no less dangerous when it happens. Cats don't pant or run themselves into heatstroke the way dogs do — most feline cases come from being trapped in a hot space (greenhouse, shed, car, dryer) or in a closed unventilated room on an extreme day.

Persian and Himalayan cats (flat-faced) are at highest risk, along with overweight cats, seniors, and cats with heart or respiratory disease. Indoor-only cats can suffer heatstroke during summer power outages or in conservatories.

If you suspect heatstroke in a cat — visible panting (cats panting is itself abnormal and emergency-grade), drooling, lethargy on a hot day, or finding a cat in a hot space — start cooling and call a vet now.

How to recognise it

  • Open-mouth breathing or panting — abnormal in cats and an emergency sign
  • Bright red or muddy gums
  • Drooling
  • Lethargy, weakness, or collapse
  • Vomiting
  • Disorientation
  • Body temperature above 40°C / 104°F (normal is 38.1–39.2 / 100.5–102.5)
  • Found trapped in a hot space (car, shed, greenhouse, dryer)

First aid — step by step

  1. Move the cat to shade or air-conditioning immediately

    A cool, quiet, well-ventilated room. Floor or tile, not soft carpet.

  2. Dampen the cat with cool (not cold) water

    Use a wet towel, sponge, or spray bottle to wet the coat, focusing on belly, paws, ears, and armpits. A full immersion is usually too stressful for a cat — gentle wetting works.

  3. Use moving air

    A fan or open window. Combined with damp fur, this is the most effective cooling method.

  4. Offer small amounts of cool water if conscious

    Don't force it. Many cats are too distressed to drink during a crisis.

  5. Call the vet immediately

    Cats who present with heatstroke have often been heat-exposed for longer than dogs by the time signs appear. Vet evaluation is essential even after cooling.

  6. Check rectal temperature if available

    Stop active cooling at 39.4°C / 103°F. Cats lose heat fast and are vulnerable to over-cooling.

What NOT to do

  • Do not use ice water or ice packs.
  • Do not fully immerse a stressed cat — handling stress can worsen the situation.
  • Do not force water down an unresponsive cat's throat.
  • Do not assume the cat is fine after cooling — get vet evaluation.
  • Do not wrap in soaked towels and leave; trapped moisture insulates.

Safe transport to the vet

  • Use a carrier lined with a cool damp towel.
  • Air-conditioned car or windows open in shade.
  • Phone the vet en route.
  • Cover the carrier with a light damp cloth to keep ambient temperature down without trapping heat.

How to prevent it next time

  • Never leave a cat in a parked car, even briefly.
  • Provide constant access to shade, water, and a cool indoor space in hot weather.
  • Multiple water bowls in summer; some cats drink more from running water.
  • Air conditioning or fan in homes during extreme heat days — especially for Persian/flat-faced cats and seniors.
  • Keep dryers, sheds, and greenhouses closed and check before shutting — cats hide in warm spaces.
  • Restrict outdoor access in extreme heat.

Frequently asked questions

Can cats actually get heatstroke?

Yes, but less commonly than dogs and usually from being trapped in a hot space rather than from exercise. When it does happen, it is just as dangerous.

Is panting in cats always an emergency?

Almost always. Cats pant only under significant stress, exertion, or distress. A cat panting at rest, in a hot environment, or after mild activity needs immediate evaluation.

Why not use ice?

Same reason as dogs — ice constricts the surface blood vessels and traps core heat. Cool water and a fan dissipate heat faster.

My cat got into the dryer — should I worry even if they seem fine?

Yes. Heat exposure plus mechanical trauma in a dryer is an emergency regardless of how the cat looks afterwards. Internal injuries and delayed heatstroke can both develop.

Which cats are at highest risk?

Persian, Himalayan, and Exotic Shorthair (all brachycephalic), overweight cats, seniors, and any cat with respiratory, cardiac, or kidney disease.