A cat’s coat is amazingly cute, fluffy, and you know what else? Warm! ♨️ Felines can have a hard time keeping their body temperature down on hot summer days due to all their fur. They can even be at risk of heatstroke or severe dehydration. But, if you’re worried about your furry friends, there are some tricks you can use to help them out fighting the heat. Let’s look into how to keep cats cool in summer while facing the high temperatures!
Provide plenty of water
The first rule on how to keep cats cool in summer is also the most obvious one: to provide plenty of water. Cats are shy drinkers, so make sure they always have a bowl with fresh water and replace it frequently to encourage drinking.
Consider also placing more bowls around the house and the garden (if you have an outdoor cat). This way, if they feel dehydrated, they don’t need to walk a long distance to get to one.
If you’re going to be out for a long time, you can drop some ice cubes in the bowls before you leave, so the water remains cool for longer.
Grooming
Shaving your cats’ fur is not an option, no matter how hard they are struggling. It could lead to sunburns from the direct exposure of the skin. Hairless cats, for instance, also have a hard time in summer because of this danger.
However, frequent or even daily brushing can help detangle their fur and remove fallen hairs that could be making it harder for them to cool down. For long haired cats, you can consider trimming a bit of the fur, at least on their bellies, to help them out. ✂️
Stroking your cat softly with a damped towel can also be of use. Cats tend not to mind it and even enjoy it if they feel the coolness in their fur!
Keep air circulating
If you have an AC system, consider leaving it on during the day so the cats don’t have to face such hard temperatures. When this is not an option, you can also leave some fans on, to at least ensure air circulation.
Most cats don’t like to feel the wind directly in their face, but they will welcome a fresh breeze around the house.
You might also want to elevate their bed using some makeshift legs, for instance, so the air also circulates under it.
Provide shade
If your cats stay indoors, make sure to keep the curtains and blinds closed during the day to prevent the sun rays from directly warming up the house. ☀️
For outdoor cats, build a shed or a safe place in your garden where they can always find shade – no matter the time of day.
If you’re willing to go the extra mile, you can freeze some water bottles and towels during the night and place them in that safe place to keep the air inside cool. This tip is also valid for indoor cats!
You can even take a pack of frozen peas and wrap a cloth around it, so the cats can use it as a cool bed.
Limit exercise
Postpone any games or activities that require a higher effort from your bud. If the cat is already suffering from the heat, no need to push them into increasing their body temperature even more!
If they must exercise due to some health condition, then wait until the evening or until the hot weather gives a break before encouraging to do so.
Watch out for signs of heatstroke
The main point of learning how to keep cats cool in summer is to avoid this situation. Still, you should pay close attention to any signs that your cat might be suffering from heatstroke.
Usual symptoms include: panting, salivation, difficulty breathing, disorientation, wobbly walking and vomit.
If you spot any of these signs, immediately take your cat to the nearest vet clinic. If it is a long drive, call the clinic ahead and explain the situation so they can advise on how to provide immediate assistance before you can get there.
Final Thoughts
These tips on how to keep cats cool in summer are quite straightforward and easy. It’s almost as if you had to adapt what a human would do to the feline context and surroundings. Simple as they may be, they are still quite effective, though. Just make sure to pay close attention to any signs of heatstroke and dehydration, as both can prove fatal!
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