About Outdoor Cat Hyperthermia

  

Yesterday on my Facebook page there was a discussion and apparently, some people think that during the winter season, snow will keep cats hydrated.  I let them know that snow is toxic to cats and that ingesting snow when the temperature outdoors is below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) puts cats at risk of hyperthermia.

 

It's not safe for your cat to eat snow because of the waste chemicals in the snow.  The other reason is that when a cat eats snow, that snow will lower the cat's core temperature making the cat feel colder and putting the cat at risk of hyperthermia.

When the temperature is below freezing and the cat has no outdoor shelter they are at risk for hyperthermia.

 Hyperthermia is a serious health condition that can become life-threatening if your cat cannot restore its core body temperature this occurs in cold climates, where the outdoor temperature is bitterly cold and temperature is not warming up.  Hyperthermia occurs when your cat's core temperature remains below normal for an extended period.

If you suspect a cat is suffering hypothermia; symptoms to watch for are cold skin, shivering, slow heartbeat, no motion, or pale gums. Many times a cat just sitting in the snow on a bitter cold day is a sign that the cat is suffering hyperthermia and you must take that cat to the veterinarian immediately.