Veterinarians warn cat owners about heat risks and senior‑friendly breed choices

Veterinarians report a sharp rise in heat‑related cat emergencies as temperatures exceed 35 °C, noting a 27 % increase in suspected heat‑stroke cases in July 2025. They advise owners to provide cool zones, ample water, wet towels, and to limit activity during the hottest parts of the day to protect cats from dangerous body temperatures above 39.5 °C.

In parallel, French veterinarians caution seniors about adopting large or highly active cat breeds. They highlight five breeds – Maine Coon, Bengal, Savannah, Abyssinian and Siberian – as potentially problematic for owners over 60 due to their size, energy levels and grooming needs, estimating an annual care cost of €500‑€900 and a daily play requirement of 30‑45 minutes.