Without a doubt, one of the most attractive things about cats, in addition to their independent personality, is the beauty of fur and the multiple color combinations, which make each feline unique thanks to each spot or stripe.
When you see them propped up against the sun, or during hot seasons, it’s normal to wonder how they can withstand high weather temperatures with all this fur, and more, you may also want to know where you sweat.
- That’s why on this occasion in Animal Expert we are explaining how the mechanism works in your animal.
- Because we know that more than once.
- Given the high temperatures that make human beings suffer.
- You have wondered.
- Where do you sweat?Cats?.
First, make it clear that cats sweat, albeit to a lesser extent than humans.You may be surprised to know because at no point have you seen your cat covered in anything that looks like sweat, let alone with a fur blanket.
The cat’s sweat glands are rare and are concentrated only at specific points in your body, unlike humans, which we have all over the surface of the skin.As we know, the body generates sweat to release the heat it feels and at the same time to refresh the skin.
In cats, the mechanism works the same way, but only through some very specific areas: the pads of the legs, chin, anus and lips. Here’s the answer to the question: where do cats sweat?But keep reading and be impressed by the fantastic mechanism of this animal.
The coat of the feline can withstand temperatures of up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit without being damaged, although this does not mean that the animal does not feel the heat, it simply has other mechanisms to relieve the sensation.
Likewise, it is important to keep in mind that the cat not only sweats when temperatures rise, but also how it reacts to certain situations that cause stress, fear and nervousness, in these cases the cat leaves a trace of sweat from its cushions, which gives off a sweet smell that humans are able to perceive.
Despite the sweat glands already mentioned, these are generally not enough to cool the animal in a very hot climate, especially considering that the fur does not contribute much to keeping it cool.
The cat has developed other mechanisms to release heat and maintain a stable temperature in summer.Therefore, it is very common on dry days to observe them doing the following:
First, increase the frequency of hygiene. The cat licks the whole body and the saliva left in its fur evaporates, which helps the body cool down.
In addition, on hot days you will avoid unnecessary efforts, so you will be much more inactive than on other occasions, that is, it is normal to find it napping with the body lying in an aerated and shaded place.
Similarly, you will drink more water and want to play less to keep cool. You can add an ice cube to your feeder to keep the water cooler for longer.
Another way to refresh your body is to gasp, although you should know that this mechanism is more common in dogs because they perform greater physical activity.
How does gasping work? When the cat gasps, the inside of the chest, the warmest part of the body, expels heat through the moisture produced in the mucous membranes of the throat, tongue and mouth, so the cat can exhale this air that expels from its body.take advantage of the steam to cool off.
However, the shortness of breath method is not common in cats, so if yours does it, it means that you feel excessively hot and that you should help yourself in the following way:
Why should I follow these steps? If after following the steps described above your cat continues to gasp, you should speak with your veterinarian, as it is very likely that the cat will suffer a heat stroke caused by the high temperatures, a condition that could kill it if it does not act quickly…
Why does the heatstroke happen? In the face of high temperatures, the brain tells the cat’s body to release body heat, so it begins a process of perspiration, during which the blood vessels of the skin expand to allow the expulsion of heat.
However, when this process fails, or if this or any of the other mechanisms on which the cat depends is sufficient, then the body overheats and may suffer a heat stroke, the consequences of which can be fatal.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Curiosities section of the animal world.