Cool Your Cat Down in the Summer

A cat that becomes overheated in summer can suffer from dehydration, shallow breathing, and can even get heatstroke. Keeping your cat cool is an important part of ensuring that he/she enjoys a safe and happy summer, especially if there’s a heat wave.

Keep your cat calm. A cat that is running about too much during a really hot day or during a heatwave will soon become exhausted and dehydrated.

Ensure that your garden or yard has some shady spots for your outdoor cat to enjoy.

Allow your cat to choose a cool spot. Cats are smart about comfort at all times, including during the heat. Cats love to curl up in the bathtub or sink because porcelain stays cool even when it is hot outside.

Cool your cat down with dampened towels. Most cats do not like getting wet, but you can at least help cool their fur down, a little, with dampened towels. The places where cats get the warmest are their bellies, the pads on their paws, their armpits, under their chins, and on the outside of their ears. Concentrate on keeping these spots cool.

Brush your cat daily. Matted fur traps heat; ensuring that the fur is not matted and allows air to flow freely through it will help to keep your cat cool. This is especially important for long-haired breeds of cats.

Provide access to a good, constant supply of water for hydration. Dehydration is a real risk for cats during the heat of summer, so constant access to water is essential.

Cats are very susceptible to heatstroke in excessive heat conditions due to their small body weight and comparatively high surface area. Click here to read how to avoid heatstroke conditions

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