We all know that cats can be extremely independent pets. With that said, they do need our help to make sure that they stay healthy. One of the key challenges that summer throws up when it comes to looking after your cat is the temperature rise. Just like humans, if cats get too hot, they are quite likely to suffer from dehydration. If things become more extreme, then they could even suffer from heatstroke or hyperthermia. This can in some cases be fatal, so it is very important that you have certain steps in place to make sure that your feline friend is not going to overheat over the summer months.
Before we get to those all important steps, it is worth noting that any signs of heatstroke in your cat must be treated as an emergency. If during the summer months you see that your cat has any of the following symptoms, you should immediately contact your vet:
- Low energy
- Panting or breathing loudly through their mouth
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Unsteadiness
- Collapse
Most cats can regulate temperature quite well, for instance by seeking shade, but certain breeds such as flat-faced and long-haired breeds are typically under more risk. All breeds, however, should be helped out in the following ways so that they are not in danger of suffering serious health consequences as a result of the heat.
Create shade
If your garden space does not already have a shady area, then you should think about creating such an area, so that your cat has easy access to a spot outdoors that they can go to when the weather is warm and they need to cool down. Cats will naturally go to the shade when they are getting warm, so a DIY area of shade, perhaps made using sheets or blankets, will give them an easy way to keep on top of heat management when outside.
Make fresh water readily available
Just as with humans, it is of vital importance that cats drink more water in hotter conditions. As cats will need to drink more water, you should keep an eye on their bowl and regularly top it up when you can see it is getting low. We would also recommend considering water fountains as a drinking option for your cat. There are many water fountains available including Catit water fountains which actively encourage your cat to drink more water.
Use ice
There are lots of fun ways to use ice to stop your cat from overheating. These methods are enjoyable for the cat, so they will be cooling themselves down all whilst having a nice time. There are some yummy Catit creamy treats which are like ice pops for cats. Pick up a Catit creamy ice cube tray and chill down some of these icy treats and your cat will love this delicious and refreshing summer addition to the menu, all the while they will be helping their body regulate heat.
Use a damp towel
Cats typically aren’t fans of water, so they are not going to be jumping into the paddling pool to keep cool. However, there are clever ways around this. For instance, if you feel that your cat is getting too hot, you can dampen a towel and gently stroke them with it. For an even subtler method, you can even just simply wet your hand with cool water and then stroke your cat.
Create a cool room
It is not just the outdoors which gets hot in the summer. It can of course also get hot indoors too. You should make sure that at least one of your rooms in your house stays cool throughout the summer. Just as with the shade outside, this gives your cat easy access to a safe spot to cool down. You can also think about setting up a cat cool mat somewhere where your cat would like to sit in your home, so that they can very easily combat any chances of overheating.
Keep home well ventilated
Part of the effort to keep the house cool might involve keeping your house ventilated. You don’t have to have all the windows wide open, as in certain cases this may even let heat in. But the important thing is to try and create some form of through draft so that the air doesn’t become static and oppressive.
Close curtains in high heat
You will likely have noticed that cats often have a fondness for sitting at the window and watching the world go by. If this is a habit, then they may still naturally want to do this even when the temperatures are much warmer. If they do sit at the window in hot summer conditions, then they will be likely to overheat. Perhaps consider drawing the curtains on those hotter days, especially at window sills where your cat would normally perch. This will stop them from sitting in full blast of the sun’s magnified rays.
Move playtime to early morning and evening
Your cat may want to play with you in the daytime, but it is important to move playtime either to the morning or the evening. Even if you are playing indoors in a cool home, your cat will still raise their body temperature and lose hydration through exerting themselves in this way. If they go outside after playtime and, if this is happening at the height of the heat, they will be much more likely to suffer in the conditions. If you play when it is much cooler, your cat will be much less likely to exhaust themselves in this way. In general, we would also say that it is helpful to try where possible to encourage your cat to stay indoors during the peak heat hours of 11 am to 3 pm.
Avoid car travel
Cars can get very hot and stuffy in the summer. It is of course a golden rule that you should never leave any pet in a car in the summer, even with windows slightly open, as it can get dangerously hot. However, you should also think about cutting out, or cutting down, journeys in the car with your cat too, especially if you do not have an effective and reliable air conditioning system.
Grooming to remove excess hair
Summer is definitely the time to get the grooming right. By removing excess hair and making sure there are no knots or areas of matting, you will be lowering the amount of heat that would otherwise be getting trapped in your cat’s coat.
Use sunblock, especially for pale or furless cats
If your cat does particularly enjoy sunbathing, then you should consider picking up some cat sunblock. Pale-coloured cats and cats without much or any fur are particularly susceptible to sunburn, so you should purchase some cat-friendly sunblock. The main benefit of this cat-friendly sunblock is that it cannot be licked off.
Always check spaces such as sheds
Last but not least, in the summertime, you should start getting into the habit of checking spaces such as sheds and garages for your cats. If they sneak in there at some point and then the space starts heating up and they have no access to water, it will not be good for their wellbeing. You might even want to check spaces such as sheds for this same reason for neighbours’ cats too.