Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Do cats sweat? How to tell if your cat is overheated

Here's how cats cool off when they are too warm

By

Between their love for sleeping in sunbeams and their penchant for naps in front of the fire, cats gravitate toward warmth. Given their ability to withstand temperatures that leave us sweaty and miserable, it stands to reason that staying cool isn’t a problem for cats. As it turns out, that’s not the case at all. Just like humans, cats need to regulate their body temperature, especially during the hot months. However, unlike humans, cats take a slightly different approach to staying cool.

Here’s how cats stay cool — and the signs you need to look out for that could mean they’re in trouble and require treatment for heat-related conditions.

Orange cat lying in a sunny window
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do cats sweat?

Technically, cats do sweat, but not the same way that humans do. As humans, we sweat all over our bodies, but cats have much more limited sweating capabilities. Humans have sweat glands located just about everywhere, but cats have sweat glands only in a few areas that lack hair. These areas include your cat’s paws and chin, so your cat can sweat only in those particular areas. (This is true also for dogs.)

Recommended Videos

As your cat sweats, air that moves over the sweat helps cool his body. Because sweating capabilities are so limited for cats, sweating is a secondary cooling system. Your cat has other ways to help regulate his temperature and cool off.

Orange and white cat grooming his paw

How do cats cool down?

Rather than relying on sweating to help cool down, cats get rid of body heat by grooming. Evaporating saliva works just like evaporating sweat to cool the skin. So, you might see your cat groom himself more often when it’s warm out, particularly when he’s lying in a hot, sunny spot.

Speaking of lying around in the heat, cats take naps during the hot days to avoid some of the heat. By limiting their activity during the daylight hours when it’s hot out, they can stay cooler. As the temperatures drop in the late afternoon and evening, cats become more active with hunting, eating, and playing.

Cats instinctively know to seek out cooler spots when things heat up during the day. You might notice that your cat heads to the basement or lies on the cool tile floor during hotter days. It’s just one of the ways that he’s regulating his temperature and staying cool.

Cat sleeping on a rug in the sun
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Signs your cat is overheating

These are the signs your cat might be overheated:

  • Panting: If your cat’s other methods of temperature regulation aren’t enough, he may start to pant. Cats don’t typically pant, and this is a sign that your cat may be stressed or overheating.
  • Heat stress: If the problem progresses, your cat may experience heat stress. Common signs of heat stress include drooling, excessive grooming, and sweaty paws. Your cat may act aggravated or restless as he looks for a cooler area.
  • Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion can occur if your cat can’t lower his body temperature. Signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, a red tongue and mouth, stumbling or uncoordinated movements, lethargy, and vomiting. Heat exhaustion is a life-threatening emergency that needs to receive appropriate treatment immediately.

If you notice signs of heat stress, move your cat to a cool area and call your vet. And if you think your cat is experiencing heat exhaustion, then put cool water over his body and call your vet immediately. If you can’t reach your vet, take your cat right to the nearest emergency clinic. A vet will probably administer cool fluids and monitor your cat’s body temperature. Heat exhaustion can lead to organ failure, so professional treatment is essential.

In most situations, your cat can regulate his own body temperature just fine. Cats instinctively know how to keep themselves cool, and most won’t expose themselves to extreme temperatures that could lead to heat stress or exhaustion. However, it’s still possible for these medical emergencies to occur, especially in cats who are exposed to extreme temperatures or suffering from other medical issues. Being aware of the signs of heat stress and heat exhaustion can help you quickly identify these conditions if they occur. Knowing the right steps to take to promptly get your cat medical help can help save his life in these situations.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Why do cats like being pet? (and where you should pet them)
This is the right way to pet a cat
A woman lies in bed petting her cat

Every cat owner has gone to pet their fur baby, only to get swatted in the face by their kitty. Sometimes, it can seem like cats don't enjoy affection at all. But while these finicky animals might prefer you pet them only on their terms, most cats do want pats from time to time, in the right places, of course. So why do cats like being pet? We'll walk you through where, how, and why to pet your four-legged feline friend.
Why do cats like being pet?

Like so many things, you need to understand their basic nature to have a better sense of why they yearn for your attention. Even in the wild, you might see cats groom and snuggle together, which has evolved into head scratches and belly rubs. Why else do kitties want you to stroke them? Here are four reasons.
It feels good
You may also spy your cat rolling on the carpet, lying in the sun, or licking their paws. While these actions can have practical reasons, for the most part, our beasties engage in the behaviors because they feel good. Cats can also be satisfied by a petting session from their human, and so they will look for you to fulfill this need.
They like you
It can be tricky to build trust with your pet, but once that's established, your cat will love to act affectionately toward you. You'll find them start to approach you more, perhaps rubbing against your legs or wanting to sit on or near you. Eventually, you'll graduate to outright petting and then they'll be asking for pats all the time.
You should smell like them
Many animals feel that their humans need to smell like them, which is a form of ownership to your mouser. Once you are scented just like your kitty, everyone will know that you're part of their group and belong to them. Cats also rub their bodies, and therefore pheromones, on things in your household, like your bed or your clothes, for the same reasons.
They want attention
We all crave attention sometimes — even our elusive cats. When they want you to notice them, it could be as a result of boredom or anxiety, but they also might just want you to dote on them, as they deserve. You'll soon pick up on your sweet pet's personal preferences and get a good feeling for when they want some love.
Why don't some cats like petting?

Read more
Decoding cat tail language: Why cats shake their tails
What your cat is trying to tell you by shaking their tail
A light-colored cat tail against a dark, carapeted floor

The idea that a cat's tail can tell a tale isn't just a fun play on words. Kitties speak to us through vocalizations (like purrs and growls) and body language. A cat's tail can let us know they're happy or even stressed to the max.

A wagging tail is often a sign of happiness in the dog world. Cats are a different animal, though. Don't speak cat tail language? You may be concerned or curious about why your cat's tail is shaking. The truth? A quivering tail is only one piece of the puzzle in decoding your cat's mood and health. These insights will take you through common reasons a cat's tail shakes and other clues to help you pinpoint which one applies to your pet.
Learn cat tail language: Why do cats shake their tails?

Read more
Why do cats like earwax? This curious habit explained
Find out about this curious feline behavior
A woman and cat lying on a bed

Cats are curious creatures. Sometimes, you may wonder, "Is this the end for me?" as your kitty saunters toward you. Yet, you find out your cat very much would like to keep you around — and use you for your earwax. You may have heard cats adore going ham on holiday trees and go bananas for tuna. A love of earwax? That one probably was missing from your bingo card. Yet, here we are.

Plot twist: Many cats have a thing for earwax, but why? What gives? Why do cats like earwax? Also, some items like indoor plants are toxic to cats. Is earwax? These questions are all good ones. We dug up some answers, including why cats like earwax and when to be concerned.
Why do cats like earwax?

Read more