
Cats are generally good at regulating their body temperature, but they can still suffer from overheating and heatstroke. While cats tolerate hot weather better than dogs, they can easily overheat if they spend too much time in the sun. Flat-faced and long-haired breeds are at a higher risk of developing problems when the weather is hot. To keep your indoor cat cool, you can try a variety of methods, including providing shade, using fans or air conditioning, grooming their excess fur, and giving them plenty of water.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Keep the house cool | Keep windows and doors slightly open to allow a breeze through the house. Use fans and air conditioning if available. |
Provide shade | Create shaded spots outside for cats to relax in, using trees, bushes, sheets, or blankets. |
Keep cats hydrated | Provide plenty of fresh, clean water. Add ice cubes to water bowls. Flavour drinking water. |
Grooming | Brush cats regularly to remove excess fur. |
Use pet-safe sun cream | Apply Titanium Dioxide-based sun cream to exposed areas such as the nose and tips of the ears, especially for cats with light-coloured fur. |
Provide cooling surfaces | Provide cold ceramic tiles, cooling mats, or damp towels for cats to lie on. |
Keep cats entertained | Provide ice cubes for cats to play with. |
Avoid overheating | Keep cats indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Avoid leaving food out, as it can attract bugs and bacteria. |
What You'll Learn
Provide shade and fresh water
Providing shade and fresh water is crucial to keeping your indoor cat cool and comfortable during hot weather. Here are some detailed tips to help you achieve this:
Provide shade:
If your cat has access to a garden or outdoor space, it is essential to create shaded areas where they can relax and escape the sun. Install an awning, shade cloth, or outdoor blinds to designated sections of the outdoor space to block direct sunlight. Trees or bushes can also provide natural shade while allowing for better air circulation. Be mindful of how the sun moves throughout the day, and ensure your cat always has access to a shady spot. You can also set up a makeshift hideout with a water bowl and their favourite toys to encourage them to stay in the shade.
Provide fresh water:
It is crucial to provide your cat with a fresh, clean supply of water, especially during hot weather, to prevent dehydration. Here are some tips to help your cat stay hydrated:
- Refill their water bowl with fresh water at least twice daily or every time you feed them.
- Place multiple water bowls throughout the house to ensure they always have access to water.
- Use ceramic, glass, or stainless steel bowls instead of plastic ones to prevent chemicals or detergents from leaching into the water.
- Ensure the water bowl is big enough for your cat to fit their head in without their whiskers touching the sides.
- Consider using a water fountain, as many cats are fascinated by running water and may be more inclined to drink from it.
- Add some ice cubes to the water to keep it cool.
- If your cat enjoys drinking from the tap, allow them access to running water after you shower or brush your teeth.
- You can also flavour their water with a few drops of tuna juice (from water-packed tuna) or chicken broth, ensuring it's not too salty.
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Apply pet-safe sun cream
Cats can get sunburned and even develop skin cancer, so it's important to protect them from the sun's harmful UV rays. If your cat has light-coloured, thin, or no hair, it is prone to sunburn, so you should consider applying pet-safe sunscreen to its sensitive areas.
Firstly, you should only use sunscreens labelled as 'safe for pets'. Human sunscreens contain ingredients that are toxic to cats if ingested, so you must avoid those. Some vets say that baby sunscreen may also be safe because children are at a similar risk of poisoning by ingestion as pets, but this is not recommended, especially for cats, which are more susceptible to poisoning than both dogs and babies.
Ingredients to avoid in pet sunscreen include PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, bone marrow changes, and liver damage if ingested. Other dangerous ingredients include cinnamates cinoxate, ethylhexyl, Octyl & p-methoxycinnamate, salicylates, and zinc oxide.
When applying sunscreen to your cat, use a thin layer and focus on the sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, lips, tips of the ears, and belly. Be gentle when touching your cat's ears, as they are sensitive. You should also distract your cat after application with treats or a game to prevent it from licking off the sunscreen. It's a good idea to gradually get your cat used to the process by showing it the sunscreen container and giving it treats simultaneously.
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Groom regularly
Grooming your cat regularly is an important part of keeping them cool in hot weather. While cats are very good at keeping themselves cool by licking their coats, a good grooming routine can help them feel more comfortable in the summer months.
Cats will often groom themselves more in the summer to cool down. The evaporating saliva creates a cooling effect, much like human sweat. However, you can help them out by brushing away any dead or excess hair, leaving them with a less dense coat. This is especially important for long-haired cats, who are more likely to overheat in the summer. A daily brush will help to remove their thick undercoat and excess fur.
If your cat enjoys the sensation of cool water on their fur, you can also stroke them with wet hands to provide relief from the sun.
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Use a fan or air conditioning
Fans and air conditioning can be effective tools to help keep your cat cool during hot weather. Here are some tips on how to use them properly:
Use a Fan
Fans are a great way to circulate cool air and create a refreshing breeze for your cat. Place fans in various rooms, especially in areas where your cat likes to relax. If possible, set up a fan over a bowl of ice to make the air even cooler as it flows into the room. You can also place a frozen bottle of water in front of the fan to further chill the air.
Be sure to use fans with safety cages to prevent your cat from accessing the blades or electrical components. Additionally, keep fans away from windows to avoid creating a draft that could chill your cat.
Use Air Conditioning
If you have access to air conditioning, it can be a more efficient way to maintain a comfortable temperature for your cat. Keep the AC running during hot weather, especially if you don't have many fans or other cooling methods available.
However, be mindful that some cats may struggle with the direct airflow from air conditioners. In such cases, you can try to direct the airflow away from your cat's resting spots or use fans in combination with the AC to circulate the cool air more gently.
Combine with Other Cooling Methods
Fans and air conditioning can be even more effective when combined with other cooling strategies. For example, you can:
- Keep curtains or blinds drawn during the day to minimise heat from sunlight.
- Provide tiled or wooden floors for your cat to lie on, as these surfaces tend to stay cooler.
- Offer cooling pads or mats, filled with air, water, or gel, for your cat to rest on.
- Provide access to shady spots, both indoors and outdoors, where your cat can escape direct sunlight.
- Keep your cat well-groomed, as excess fur can trap heat. Brushing regularly can help speed up the process of shedding their undercoat, improving thermoregulation.
- Provide plenty of fresh, clean water to prevent dehydration.
Remember, cats are generally quite heat tolerant, but they can still overheat. Be vigilant for signs of heatstroke, such as panting, drooling, lethargy, or vomiting, and seek veterinary assistance if you suspect your cat is unwell.
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Offer cold snacks
Offering cold snacks is a great way to keep your cat cool and entertained during hot weather. Here are some ideas for treats to help your cat beat the heat:
Frozen Wet Food
Freeze your cat's favourite wet food in ice cube trays or lick mats to create a refreshing snack that will cool them down and provide some mental stimulation. This can be a fun way to feed your cat their daily food intake, ensuring it's not an extra snack.
Fish-Based Treats
Fish is a favourite for many cats due to its strong smell and flavour. For a refreshing treat, blend water-packed canned fish with some extra water or bone broth until smooth, then freeze into small cubes. Fish like salmon and tuna are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and protein, but they should be given in moderation due to their high fat content.
Goat Milk
Goat milk is rich in nutrients and probiotics, including calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, potassium, and other essential vitamins and minerals. It has lower lactose levels than cow's milk, making it easier on your cat's stomach. However, it's still not recommended for lactose-intolerant cats. Freeze goat milk or mix it with other healthy ingredients for a hydrating snack.
Yogurt Cat Treats
Unsweetened Greek yogurt can be a great treat for cats that can tolerate lactose. It has a lower lactose count than other dairy products, so it's often suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs in moderation. Mix yogurt with your cat's wet food and freeze in ice cube trays for a refreshing snack.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a perfect summer snack to share with your cat. Remove the seeds and rind, and offer small pieces as a treat. Watermelon is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, and its high water content helps keep your cat hydrated. Avoid feeding watermelon to diabetic cats due to its high natural sugar content.
Ice Cubes
Plain ice cubes can be a fun and interactive way to keep your cat cool and encourage hydration. You can also add bits of meat or cat treats to the ice cubes for an extra challenge and a tasty reward.
Cat Milk
Offer your cat a chilled portion of cat milk, which can be found in many pet stores. Serve it in a small dish for a refreshing treat.
Chilled Sodium-Free Broth
Keep some sodium-free broth in the fridge and offer your cat a small bowl on hot days. You can also freeze it into ice cubes for a fun treat.
Kitty Popsicles
Make your own kitty popsicles by pouring water or sodium-free broth over kitty treats or kibble and freezing them.
Frozen Yogurt
Plain, lactose-free frozen yogurt with little to no added sugar can be a safe treat for your cat. Offer a small amount, such as a tablespoon, to see if your cat enjoys it.
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Frequently asked questions
If your cat is panting, drooling or drinking a lot more water than usual, it is likely that they are too hot. Other signs of heatstroke include a temperature over 40°C, dark red gums or tongue, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and staggering.
There are several ways to cool your cat down, including providing shade, using fans, or keeping your cat hydrated with ice cubes in their water. You can also try grooming their excess fur, placing their bed in a shady place, or wiping them with a wet cloth.
You can buy a pet cooling mat for your cat to lie on. You can also try putting ice cubes in their water bowl, or giving them frozen treats to eat.
If you think your cat has heatstroke, take them to a vet as soon as possible.
Keep your cat indoors during the hottest part of the day, and encourage them to nap in a cool room. Provide shade for your cat, and keep them out of rooms that are likely to get very hot, such as conservatories or sheds.