Pip, 3 months, is a male polydactyl kitten who came in with two sisters. He was raised in a home with dogs.
Pip, 3 months, is a male polydactyl kitten who came in with two sisters. He was raised in a home with dogs. (Photo courtesy of CVAS)

Q: Even in these hot days, I come home to find my cat asleep in a ray of sun and her fur seems hot. Should I be worried? I don't want her to get overheated.

A: In researching this question, I discovered some really cool facts. First of all, cats come to us from the desert, so they are used to really hot temperatures and maintaining their body heat. This depends, though, on the type of cat we're talking about.

Short-haired cats tolerate heat far better than their long-haired counterparts. Both dogs and cats naturally run a little hotter than we do (99.5 to 102.5 degrees), so if your cat feels warm, it's not necessarily cause for alarm.

In the wild, a cat needs a lot of energy for the hunt and will try to conserve as much energy as possible by using solar power to help keep warm. It seems counter-intuitive to sleep in a ray of sun when it's hot but for a cat, that's preserving his energy. I think it's this same need for energy conservation that allows a cat to exist under blankets for an extended period of time as well.

The only caution I would give is that, unlike dogs, cats shouldn't pant. If your cat is excessively panting -- tongue hanging out and panting like a dog -- you may want to call your veterinarian because that can be a sign of something going on.



A: Don't ever give your animals any kind of medication without the consent of your vet.

From what I understand about a cat's metabolism, the liver never stops processing substances that come into the body. For that reason, they will and can metabolize anything, even the smallest dosage.

In addition, they can metabolize it differently from both dogs and humans. Even the smallest amount can cause serious problems. Do not try to take matters into your own hands where cats are concerned. If you think your cat is in pain, get him to the vet, don't try to medicate him at home.

Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. Send questions to Jennifer Vanderau, director of communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org or 263-5791.