Last Updated: 24/08/2026
Heatstroke in Cats: Signs, First Aid and Prevention
Cats hide heatstroke well. Spot the subtle signs, know the risk factors, and learn what to do if your cat overheats, straight from our vets.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
When a dog overheats, they pant, drool and pace, and most pet parents clock it straight away. Cats don't play by the same rules. They hide the signs so well that heatstroke often gets missed until it's a full blown emergency, and knowing what vets actually look for can make all the difference.
Why is heatstroke in cats often missed?
Because cats show heatstroke through behaviours that can look normal, not the obvious signs we associate with dogs overheating.
A cat in trouble will often just seek out a cool tile floor, groom themselves more than usual (they're trying to cool down through evaporation, the same trick as sweating), or hide away somewhere quiet. These are the signs of heat stress, the stage before heatstroke, where your cat is struggling to cool down but hasn't yet reached a medical emergency. The trouble is heat stress looks a lot like a cat having a lazy afternoon, so it's easily missed, and if your cat can't cool down it can tip into heatstroke, which is far more serious and always needs a vet.
What vets notice: In clinic, the cats we see most often with heatstroke aren't the ones who've been racing around outside. They're usually flat-faced breeds, cats carrying extra weight, or cats who've spent time somewhere they couldn't escape the heat, a laundry, a parked car, or a closed sunroom.
If your cat seems unusually flat, grooming more or is hiding more than usual on a hot day, it's worth checking on them properly rather than assuming they're just resting.
Which cats are most at risk of heatstroke?
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds and indoor cats suddenly exposed to heat are most at risk, even on days that only feel warm rather than scorching.
Breeds like Persians, Himalayans and exotic shorthairs have shorter airways, which makes it harder for them to cool down efficiently. This means they can overheat on milder days, not just during a heatwave.
Indoor cats are also more vulnerable than you'd think. A cat who spends most of their life in an air conditioned home hasn't acclimated to heat, so a sudden hot spell on a balcony or an unshaded courtyard can catch them out fast. Senior cats, overweight cats and cats with existing heart or lung conditions are at higher risk too.
A hazard that's specific to cats: clothes dryers. Cats love climbing into warm, dark, enclosed spaces, and a dryer left open is an obvious invitation. A 2021 case study in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care documented three cats treated for heatstroke after being shut inside a running dryer (Cudney et al., 2021). It's a genuine risk for cats, so always check inside before you turn one on.
For a side by side on how this differs from dogs, see our guide to heatstroke in dogs.
What are the signs of heatstroke in cats?
The early signs, heat stress, are subtle and easy to put down to normal cat behaviour, which is exactly the problem. Heatstroke, the more advanced stage, is where things become a genuine emergency.
Signs of heat stress (the early stage):
- Seeking out cool tiles, floors or bathtubs
- Over-grooming
- Hiding or unusual quietness
- Restlessness or agitation
- Drooling
- Open-mouth breathing or panting (unusual for cats, and worth taking seriously even at this stage)
Signs of heatstroke (the emergency stage):
- Red or pale gums
- A faster than normal breathing rate
- Vomiting
- Wobbliness or disorientation
- Weakness, collapse or seizures
There's overlap between the two, and every cat is different, so treat this as a guide rather than a strict line. If your cat is showing heat stress signs, cool them down and keep a close eye on them. If you see any heatstroke signs, it's a vet emergency, not a wait and see situation.
What should I do if my cat has heatstroke?
Move your cat to a cool, shaded, well ventilated spot straight away and call your vet, because heatstroke in cats can turn fatal quickly and needs professional care even if your cat seems to bounce back.
While you're getting ready to head to the vet:
- Use cool water to continuously mist or soak your cat
- Place them in front of a fan or in cool air conditioning
- Offer water but do not force them to drink
- Never leave wet towels on your cat - they can absorb and trap the heat from your cat's body
Always follow up with a vet visit, even if your cat seems fine within a few minutes. Heatstroke can cause damage that doesn't show up straight away.
How can I prevent heatstroke in my cat?
Keep your cat cool, hydrated and gradually adjusted to warm weather, and take extra care with flat-faced, senior or overweight cats even on mild days.
A few habits that help:
- Fresh water available at all times, in more than one spot. Water fountains help to encourage cats to drink more and stay hydrated
- Shaded, well ventilated areas your cat can retreat to
- Never leave your cat in a car, closed sunroom or laundry, even briefly
- Check dryers and washing machines before every use
- Let indoor cats build up heat tolerance gradually rather than long stretches outside on a hot day
- Extra vigilance for brachycephalic breeds, seniors and overweight cats, since they're at risk even on warm rather than extreme days
For more ways to keep your cat comfortable this season, our spring and summer activities for cats guide has some good low heat options, and our summer ready hub covers the rest of the season's hazards.
FAQs
Cats don't announce heatstroke the way dogs do. They go quiet, seek out cool surfaces, or over-groom instead of panting and pacing, and these heat stress signs are exactly why heatstroke gets missed until it's an emergency. Knowing the subtle signs, watching brachycephalic and indoor cats closely, and checking hazards like dryers before you switch them on can catch heat stress before it tips into heatstroke. If in doubt, call your vet.
References
Royal Veterinary College. Heatstroke in dogs and cats: prevention, symptoms and first aid tips for pet owners. Accessed 24 August 2026. https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/teaching-and-research/fact-files/heatstroke-in-dogs-and-cats
Animal Emergency Service. Heat Stroke in Cats: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention. Accessed 24 August 2026. https://animalemergencyservice.com.au/blog/heat-stroke-in-cats/
Cudney SE, et al. Clothes dryer-induced heat stroke in three cats. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2021. DOI: 10.1111/vec.13131. Accessed 24 August 2026.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon 24 Aug 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
