Hot summer days can be tough for your furry feline friends. Since cats cannot sweat like human beings, they are more prone to overheating when temperatures rise beyond normal levels. That’s why knowing how to keep cats cool in summer is essential for their health and comfort. As outside temperatures soar under the blazing sun, small changes to their routine can make a big difference. Adjusting their diet is a great place to start—canned wet food contains more moisture than dry biscuits, or you can add water to their dry kibble to boost hydration. Water plays a crucial role in regulating your cat’s body temperature, helping indoor kitties stay cool and comfortable during the warmer months.
There are several simple and effective ways to help your cat beat the summer heat. Providing plenty of fresh water, using fans or air conditioning, giving cats ice to play with, and keeping them indoors on extremely hot days can all support temperature regulation. Creating shaded areas, grooming regularly to reduce excess fur, and even placing cooling mats in their favourite lounging spots are additional steps that go a long way. In this blog, we’ll share 10 practical tips to help you keep your cat safe, hydrated, and happy throughout the summer season.
10 Tips to Keep Your Cats Cool in Summer
As summer temperatures rise, keeping our feline friends comfortable becomes a top priority for responsible cat owners. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), from the recent article “Companion Animals Are Dying in Hot Weather“, extreme heat poses serious risks to pets, including cats. In 2024 alone, 111 cats and other companion animals have died from heat exposure, reminding us to take proactive measures to help our pets stay safe and hydrated during these hot summer months.
Cats can quickly overheat and develop dangerous heat stroke when the mercury runs too high. Their limited ability to sweat makes indoor cats especially vulnerable to the summer heat. Fortunately, there are simple tips you can implement to create a refreshing oasis at home for your furry friend. Here are some tried and tested ways to keep your cat cool in the summer. Let’s take a look at the tips to keep your feline friend cool in summer.
Provide Fresh and Cooling Water
Cats need constant access to fresh water to stay hydrated, especially in hot weather. Keep your cat’s water bowl filled with fresh, cool water and place multiple bowls around the house to encourage frequent drinking, especially during hot weather. Fresh water sources will help keep your cat cool in hot weather. A study from İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ showed that providing cooled fresh drinking water can encourage cats to drink more water, potentially reducing health risks associated with chronic dehydration.
Utilise Fans and Air Conditioning
Another idea to keep cats cool in summer is to use fans and air conditioning. Many pet owners wonder, ‘Do cats like fans?’ While it varies by individual, most cats appreciate the cool air flow, especially during hot weather. Place fans in your cat’s favourite lounging spots to create cooling airflow, and open a window to let in fresh, cool air. This will help your feline friend avoid overheating and help to relax them if they get too warm. If using air conditioning, ensure the temperature is set comfortably for your furry friend.
Play with Ice Cubes
One of the best ways to keep cats cool in summer is to scatter some ice cubes on the floor and watch your playful kitty swat them all over. This activity will cool down your cat’s paws and keep your cat cool in the hot summer weather. They also cheer indoors when it’s too hot to go outside. Ice Cubes can be perfect to pop into their bed or their favourite lounging spots and provide a much-needed cooling effect in the summer heat. You might even spot little wet paw prints as they wander around after playing.
Provide Shady Spots
Most cats love sunny weather, but when it gets too hot, they need a shady escape. Make sure your cat has access to shady and cool places inside and outside your home during hot weather. You can lounge them on cool tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, as these surfaces stay nice and cool. Adding some cosy blankets or hiding places in shady corners can also help your cat cool down and stay cosy all summer long.
Grooming
Cats groom themselves in the summer months to shed their fur in order to stay cool. Excess fur on your cat will trap heat. Gently grooming your cat daily helps remove dead hair and keeps the area around their whisker pads clean, allowing air to circulate better on the skin. Trimming away some of the thick undercoat prevents overheating and makes it easier for your cat to stay cool. Use grooming wipes or a damp cloth to remove dirt and excess hair from these areas to maximise airflow. Proper summertime grooming helps cats stay well-regulated.
Apply Cat-Friendly Sun Cream
During hot weather, It’s essential to apply cat-specific sun cream to sensitive parts of the cat’s body, like the nose, lips, tips of ears, and belly, where fur is thin. According to a study published in Sage journals, Cats have a high skin reactivity to sunlight, which causes photodamage and a decrease in adnexal structures in the dermis. Like Us, cats suffer sunburn if they are not adequately protected. Preventing sunburn by applying a cat-friendly sun cream is essential to keep your cat safe and avoid potential health issues in the future. Provide plenty of fresh water and shady retreats to keep your furry companion cool, safe, happy, and relaxed during the hottest months.
Stroke Your Cat with a Damp Washcloth
On hot days, lightly massaging your cat with a damp washcloth, paper towel, or wet towel (not too wet!) can make your feline friend more comfortable on sweltering summer days. Focus on the areas where less fur grows, like the belly, inner legs, and paw pads, which can help keep them calm and relaxed. Just be sure to combine it with other cooling cat strategies like fans, access to a nice shade spot, and plenty of fresh water. We all know that every cat enjoys a nice pat.
Use Cooling Mats or Pads
Cooling mats or pads are a great way to keep your cat cool in the summer. These mats provide a cool surface for your cat to lie on. These are really helpful during the hottest parts of the day, or when your cat is home alone and you don’t have the air conditioner running. Additionally, leaving out a frozen water bottle for your cat to play with or lie beside is another simple way to keep them cool if you don’t have a cooling pad.
Keep Them Indoors During Peak Heat
Try to keep your cats indoors during the hottest parts of the day, specifically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This reduces the risk of heat stroke, dehydration, and painful sunburn. For cats that must go outside, apply pet-safe sunscreen to vulnerable areas like the nose, ear tips, and belly where fur is thin. Choose zinc-free, SPF 15-30 sunscreens made specifically for pets, as human sunscreen can be toxic to cats. White cats and those with light-coloured fur are especially prone to sun damage and skin cancer. Create shaded outdoor areas using umbrellas, tarps, or cat-safe plants like cat grass. Always provide multiple water sources and consider installing misters or cooling mats in shaded areas.
Hydration-Rich Foods
Increase wet food during summer since it contains more water than dry food. Add water to dry kibble or offer frozen treats for extra hydration. Choose foods high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, like fish-based wet foods or chicken with broth. Include foods with electrolytes, such as low-sodium chicken broth or tuna juice. Avoid heavy, high-fat foods that make cats feel sluggish in heat. Feed smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to prevent your cat from overheating during digestion.
However, it is essential to take care of our feline friends in the summer so they are not exposed to the sun and heat. Senior cats, those with long hair, those who are overweight, or those with health conditions that may make them more susceptible to heat stroke may also require additional heat precautions.
Heatstroke occurs when a cat overheats and can no longer regulate its body temperature. If left untreated, heat stroke can be dangerous.
Why Do Cats Get Heat Stroke?
It’s easy for our feline friend to overheat in warm winters. Unlike humans, cats can’t remove layers when it gets too hot, and they don’t always have the option to move themselves to cooler places or avoid the sun. Cats can get rid of excess heat through the sweat glands in their paw pads and noses, but they cannot cool down by sweating as fast as humans do. If they cannot regulate their body temperature, heat stroke can quickly develop.
Let’s Know the Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Cats
Heatstroke is a condition of hyperthermia (core body temperature above the normal range) that causes heat injury to tissues. Heatstroke occurs when heat production exceeds the body’s ability to lose heat. Heatstroke occurs when your cat becomes extremely overheated. Keep an eye on your cat’s behaviour and know the signs of heatstroke.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive panting
- Heavy breathing
- Seizures
- Red gums
- Sweety’s feet
- Lethargy
- Restless behaviour
What to Do If You Think Your Cat Has a Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is a very dangerous condition that requires immediate action. Cats trapped in hot environments can develop life-threatening organ damage from overheating. If you notice these alarming symptoms, it’s important to quickly lower your cat’s body temperature and cool them down.
- Move your cat out of the heat.
- Please place it in a more relaxed environment and Offer water frequently.
- Add some tuna fish or cold, low-salt chicken stock to the water to encourage them to drink.
- Take them to the vet immediately if you think heat stroke is a possibility, as earlier treatment will improve their chances of survival.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your cat comfortable during summertime is essential for their well-being. You may assist your feline buddy in staying cool and safe by using simple yet effective tactics such as offering fresh and cooling water and using fans and air conditioning. Additionally, provide your cat with a safe, shaded outdoor area using a cat netting enclosure. Kittysafe offers strong cat netting enclosures in Perth that help keep your cat safe during summer. Enclosures are made of breathable mesh to keep cats cool while allowing them to enjoy time outside safely. Awareness of the signs of heatstroke and taking prompt action, if necessary, can be lifesaving.
By following these tips and taking a proactive approach to your cat’s summer care, you can ensure they stay healthy and relaxed throughout the summer. Contact us today to learn more about our cat netting enclosure options in Perth.
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