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. Do you want to know how to keep cats cool in summer? As outside temperatures are sore under the blazing sun, we need to make adjustments to their food to ensure adequate water intake. Canned wet food contains more water than dry biscuits, or you can add water to their dry kibble. Water is essential to keeping your cat hydrated and ensures our indoor kitties can stay comfortable and cool in the summer time.
There are several ways to help your cat beat the summer heat. In this blog, we will discuss 7 ways to keep your cat comfortable during those long summer months. Providing plenty of fresh water, using fans and air conditioning, giving cats ice to play with, and keeping them indoors on days of extremely hot weather can help your cat regulate their body temperature.
10 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 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. Place plenty of water bowls with fresh, cooled water throughout your home and change them frequently to encourage drinking. 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.
- Utilize 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 favorite lounging spots to create cooling airflow. 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.
- 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 cozy blankets or hiding places in shady corners can also help your cat beat the heat and stay cozy 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, 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: 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 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 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 stay 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 airconditioner running. Additionally, they are easy to use and can be placed anywhere your cat likes to relax.
- Keep Them Indoors During Peak Heat: Try to keep your cats indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Keep your cat indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during summer. Allowing cats to go indoors during the hottest times of the day will reduce the risk of heatstroke, and will also protect them harmful UV rays and sunburn.
- Hydration-Rich Foods: Increase the proportion of wet food in their diets during the summer months to ensure they are getting adequate water intake. Wet food has a higher moisture content compared to dry food. You can also add water to dry kibble.
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
- Diarrhea
- 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 calm and 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, using fans and air conditioning, playing with ice cubes, and ensuring appropriate shade and grooming. Additionally, provide your cat with a safe, shaded outdoor area using a cat netting enclosure. Kittysafe offers top-notch cat netting enclosures in Perth that are suitable for securely containing your feline in the backyard during the summertime. 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 happy, healthy, and relaxed throughout the year’s warmest months. Contact us today to learn more about our cat netting enclosure options in Perth.
FAQs
What Temperature Is Too Hot for a Cat?
37.8°C. Cats can tolerate heat relatively well compared to humans, but temperatures above 37.8°C can become dangerous if they don’t have shady or cooled areas where they can rest.
Do Cats Like Heat?
Cats love warmth and often seek out sunny spots or warm areas in the house. However, during the summer months there is a limit to how much heat they can tolerate. They need access to fresh water and cool, shady places as extreme heat can be harmful to cats.
How Do Cats Cool Off?
Cats cool off in several ways:
Panting: although rare, cats pant to cool down when they are overheated.
Sweating: cats sweat through their paw pads. But this is not a highly effective cooling method.
Licking their fur: moistening their fur through licking helps with heat dissipation as the saliva evaporates.
Seeking cool places: cats often find cool surfaces, such as tiled floors, to lie on.
Reducing activity: cats tend to become less active during hot weather to conserve energy and avoid generating excess body heat.
How to Keep Cats Cool in Summer Without AC?
It’s simple:
-Provide ice treats,
-Keep your cat hydrated,
-Provide shade,
-Play with ice cubes,
-Make use of wet towels,
-Cooling mats and ice packs,
-Know when to keep your cat indoors,
-Keep on top of grooming.
