Hot summer days can be tough for your furry feline friends. Since cats cannot sweat like human beings, cats do overheat when temperatures rise far from normal levels. That is why keeping them cool down and comfortable during summertime is so essential. As temperatures soar outside under the beaming sun, we should focus on making adjustments to their food – serve canned wet food or mix in extra water to their dry kibble, which helps them stay hydrated and ensures our indoor kitties can stay calm and cool in the summer time. A few simple changes around the house can make a big difference and prevent our cats from feeling the full brunt of the summer sun’s sweltering effects.
There are several ways to help your cat beat the summer heat. In this blog, we will discuss 7 ways to keep your cat calm during summer. Things like providing plenty of fresh water, Using Fans and Air Conditioning, playing with ice, and keeping them indoors on extremely hot days can help them regulate their body temperature.
7 Tips to Keep Your Cats Cool in Summer
As summer temperatures rise, keeping our feline friends cool and comfortable becomes a top priority for responsible cat owners. Cats can quickly overheat and develop dangerous heat stroke with too high mercury. 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 despite the temperature rises. 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. Place plenty of water bowls with fresh, cooled water throughout your home and change them frequently to encourage drinking. 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.
- Utilize Fans and Air Conditioning: Fans and air conditioners can provide much-needed relief to cats from the heat. Place fans to create airflow in your cat’s favourite lounging spots. 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: Ice cubes can be a fun experience for your cats! Scatter some ice cubes on the floor and watch your playful kitty swat them all over. This helps to cool down your cat’s paws and keep them comfortable in hot 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.
- Provide Shady Spots: Most cats love sunny weather, but when it gets too hot, they need a shady escape. Make sure your cat has incredible places to rest inside and outside your home. You can lounge them on cool tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, as these surfaces stay nice and cool. Adding some cozy blankets or hiding places in shady corners can also help your cat beat the heat and stay cozy all summer long.
- Grooming: Grooming has become even more important for cats in the summer. Excess fur on your cat will trap heat. Gently grooming your cat daily helps remove dead hair, which allows 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 maximize airflow. Proper summertime grooming helps cats stay well-regulated.
- Apply Cat-Friendly Sun Cream: 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 them from sunburn will keep your cat comfortable and cool down your cats, and help avoid potential health issues, so Applying cat-friendly sun cream is essential. Provide plenty of fresh water and shady retreats to keep your furry companion 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 or paper towel to 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 fan, shade and plenty of fresh water. We all know that every cat enjoys a nice pat.
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.
Conclusion
It’s very important to keep your cats cool and comfortable during summertime. Beating the summer heat is essential to keeping our feline friends safe, comfortable, and healthy. In addition to applying pet-safe sunscreen and providing adequate shade, large resting areas, and freshwater, One of the best solutions is allowing your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely in an enclosed “catio” or cat yard. These secure mesh enclosures give cats the richness of outdoor time while protecting them from hazards. We offer professional installation services for cat netting enclosures in Perth, ensuring your setup is strong, escape-proof, and built to last. With proper precautions such as sunscreen, cooling accessories, and an outdoor enclosure, you can help your beloved cat thrive during the warmest months of the year. Contact us today to discuss giving your pet a wonderful, worry-free outdoor space.
