While cats may appear to be cold animals due to their attitude and their merciless and highly skilled hunting instincts, they are in fact naturally thermally warm creatures, having even a higher body temperature than our own and loving the heat, fleeing the cold as much as possible.
A cat with hot ears is therefore totally normal, but can be indicative of certain health problems if they are really very hot. If your cat has abnormally warm ears, there are several possible causes. Stay well with me to understand everything and above all to act well.
My Cat Has Warm Ears: Understanding Body Temperature
Cats are warm-blooded creatures that have a higher core body temperature than ours. While the ideal body temperature for us is around 37°C, that of cats is more like 39°C , regardless of the breed of cat.
Touching her ears can trick you into thinking your cat has a fever when it’s just her normal temperature.
How do you know if this heat is normal?
Unlike most of your cat’s body, her ear area is thin and usually exposed because it’s not protected by fur or body fat. In other words, your cat’s ear temperature may differ depending on the environment. The same goes for the nose, whose level of heat will change depending on the outside temperature.
Blood flow to his ears is necessary for him to control his body temperature. The thin surface of the skin in the ears is filled with small veins which contract or expand as needed.
It follows that in hot weather the veins will vasodilate to increase blood flow to the ears, helping to release excess body heat. In winter or cold weather, the reverse is also true, as the veins contract to help prevent heat loss and conserve the cat’s body temperature to keep them warm.
If your cat is a sun lover, who tends to heat up when the sun is high, the heat in their ears will also be different, especially when they bask in them for many hours.
When he comes back inside, his ears will return to normal temperature. The same temporary increase in the warmth of the cat’s ears can occur if he likes to spend a lot of time curled up near a heater or fire.
Know your cat’s temperature
To know if the temperature of his ears is normal, it is vital to put him in a warm environment and take his temperature.
A rectal thermometer is the best solution for getting your cat’s temperature in your home, as these models are more accurate than ear thermometers. An electronic thermometer will also give you a much faster reading, which simplifies the procedure for you and your cat who won’t like it at all. When evaluating the reading, keep in mind that your cat’s normal body temperature ranges from 38°C to 39°C.
My cat has abnormally hot ears: The causes
If after making sure that his ears are way too hot compared to normal, the causes can be many:
He has a fever
Temperature is probably the first thing to consider when judging a potential temperature rise in your feline’s ears. Your cat may have a mild fever, which is around 40 degrees and shouldn’t be cause for concern.
A small increase in body temperature is an indication that your cat’s immune system is working to deal with any illnesses it may have contracted. With a mild fever, the signs should go away quickly, and your cat may even do its own healing interventions, such as moving to a cooler spot in the room. In such situations, watch your cat and also make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water and food.
It is simply a classic disease that we can also suffer from. Moreover, we often touch our forehead to judge a possible fever, in cats, it is the ears that will allow a diagnosis.
If your cat’s body temperature is above 40 degrees, you’re likely to see different indicators of fever, such as lethargy and lack of appetite. If the situation does not improve quickly, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
What to do ?
In case of mild fever, do not worry, everything will quickly return to normal and warm ears are a sign that the immune system is acting. For a fever of 40 degrees, it will naturally do the healing work.
In case of high fever, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary. While waiting for the visit, make your cat’s life easier by giving him warmer water than usual and give him an easy-to-eat food and mash his food if he has trouble eating.
If he doesn’t drink, put some tuna oil in the water to whet his appetite.
An allergy
Allergies can cause warm ears, especially if accompanied by inflammation. In humans, allergies often manifest as respiratory disease as part of the leading indicators, but in dogs and cats they can manifest in other ways.
A common indication that your cat may have an allergy is a reaction in their ears as well as their skin. Hot ears from hot can be caused by a multitude.
A cat that suffers from an allergy will tend to constantly scratch because the allergens will often itch the skin.
What to do ?
It is necessary to check what causes this allergy, food, fleas or pollution. If necessary, go to the veterinarian who can observe the problem precisely to give you an appropriate solution.
Acarians
Another possible cause may be dust mites. These tiny parasites can infiltrate your cat’s ear canals, feeding on their skin as well as other debris inside the ear.
Your cat’s inner ears can be extremely itchy, causing the cat to scratch excessively to find some relief. This scratching can later lead to inflammation in the ears, making them warm to the touch.
If you suspect mites, take a look at your cat’s ears and you’ll likely notice a buildup of debris and small brown particles. If no treatment is put in place, your cat will eventually lose his hearing.
What to do ?
The veterinary case is essential and it will provide you with what to treat it and will probably deworm it to avoid a relapse in the future.
Hyperthyroidism
One particular health condition that can cause your cat’s ear temperature to rise is hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland . Among the most common conditions to influence senior cats, hyperthyroidism triggers an increase in their own metabolism.
In addition to weight loss, increased appetite and restlessness, this pathology can also cause heartbeats to be higher than normal, thus increasing your cat’s body balance, especially if he is older.
What to do ?
Make an appointment with your veterinarian so that a formal diagnosis can be made. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to high blood pressure and heart failure, so it’s essential that your cat be checked out if you suspect this condition.
Other causes
Your cat’s ears are delicate organs and can also be vulnerable to disease, both in the inner and outer ear.
Wax, foreign bodies, bacteria, untreated allergens, dust mites, or poor hygiene can lead to an infection in your cat’s ear which, if left untreated, can lead to more extensive damage, such as a definitive impact on his hearing.
Like hot flashes, other indications that your cat may have an ear infection include excessive scratching, head shaking, redness, and inflammation.
What to do ?
It is essential that the veterinarian examines your cat to avoid any illnesses that could lead to permanent damage. If your cat has symptoms along with too hot ears, then the appointment should be made as soon as possible.
My cat with warm ears: The final word
To find out if your cat has abnormally warm ears, it is vital to take the temperature and check for any accompanying symptoms. If in doubt, a visit to the veterinarian will allow you to obtain an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate solution in the event of a problem.