When a cat is exposed to extreme cold or heat without protection, it's not just its comfort that's affected: its entire body enters a state of life-threatening emergency . This phenomenon, called heat stress , triggers a violent biological reaction that can lead to exhaustion, illness… and even death.
Here, in simple and accessible terms, is what really happens inside the body of a stray cat when exposed to heat stress – and how a Miawi shelter can interrupt this fatal process.
1. The cat's body struggles to maintain 38 to 39 °C, its vital temperature.
The cat is a homeothermic animal: its body must remain within a precise temperature range to function.
When it's too cold or too hot:
- His nervous system sends an alert message
- His heart races to compensate
- His metabolism burns more energy
Without shelter, this constant energy expenditure quickly depletes its reserves.
According to the 30 Million Friends Foundation, a cat exposed to extreme temperatures can lose up to 20% of its body mass in a week.
2. In cold weather, the metabolism skyrockets
To produce heat:
- The body burns fat
- Then draws on the muscles
- The vital organs (liver, kidneys, heart) are under extreme strain.
Consequences :
- Rapid weight loss
- Hypothermia
- Risk of cardiac arrest
An insulated shelter reduces natural heat loss by nearly 40%, allowing the cat to maintain its temperature without depleting its reserves.
3. In the presence of heat, the body overheats
Unlike humans, cats hardly sweat . They dissipate heat:
- Panting
- By its pads
- By licking themselves to create evaporative cooling
But if the temperature exceeds 32°C:
- The heart races
- The kidneys begin to dehydrate.
- The brain is overheating
Heatstroke can kill a cat in less than an hour without shaded shelter.
4. Heat stress weakens the immune system
When the body expends all its energy regulating its temperature, it no longer has enough to:
- Fighting infections
- Repel parasites
- Defending against viruses
Result :
- Coryza
- Skin parasites
- Lung infections
Miawi shelters are not just for warmth: they offer stable thermal protection all year round.
5. Shelter drastically reduces heat stress and increases life expectancy
By providing an isolated refuge:
- The cat's body is no longer in critical condition.
- His heart rate stabilizes
- Its diet serves for its long-term survival (and not to compensate for cold or heat)
According to a veterinary behavioral study, a cat benefiting from stable shelter can double its life expectancy, going from 3 to more than 7 years.
Conclusion: Protecting from heat stress means protecting life.
Heat stress is an invisible but devastating enemy. It silently exhausts the bodies of stray cats until they collapse.
With Miawi, we are working to offer a simple, concrete and vital solution to this problem: shelters designed to maintain a comfortable temperature, winter and summer.
A shelter is not an accessory.
It is a scientific tool for protecting life.
