Hot Tips for Cool Cats

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FFL foster cat Susan enjoying a cool treat

FFL Foster cat Susan enjoying a cool treat

While most cats enjoy basking in the sun, ensure your cat stays cool during hot weather and does not overheat or get sunburnt. Even after providing them with extra water and other cooling measures, do not leave your cat alone for more than a few hours, as they are vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration.

 

Keep an Eye on Your Cat

Healthy adult cats should not be left for longer than 4-6 hours when temperatures exceed 27°C (80.6°F). Kittens, senior cats, certain breeds (such as Persians), and cats with long, dense fur or health issues will need more frequent checks and shorter periods alone, regardless of the actual temperature.

Provide extra shade if your cat is an outdoor cat and doesn’t like to be kept inside. Check sheds, greenhouses and summerhouses before closing them up, as heat can build up quickly there.

If possible, it is recommended that you keep your cat inside during the day and into the evening, where you can keep them under observation and influence, if not control their environment. Don’t be alarmed if your cat doesn’t want to eat their usual fill. Instead, make sure they are well-hydrated!

 

Keep Your Cat Hydrated

Provide your cat with additional access to clean, fresh water, even if he/she usually does not drink much. Place extra bowls of different sizes/materials in different locations if you are unsure which ones your cat might go for. Add ice cubes to a bowl or a little tuna juice or chicken broth. Consider switching from dry food to wet food, and include a water fountain as an alternative to standing water.

Cats need to drink to stay cool and prevent muscle spasms in hot weather. If your cat doesn't drink during hot days, he/she can quickly become dehydrated, which can lead to serious health issues like heatstroke and organ failure.

It can also increase the risk of a blocked bladder in cats, particularly male cats, due to dehydration and the potential for increased crystal formation in the urine. Dehydration can lead to concentrated urine, which makes it easier for crystals to form and potentially obstruct the urethra. Signs to look out for include frequent but unproductive visits to the litter tray and excessive drinking.

If you suspect your cat is dehydrated, especially during hot weather, contact your veterinarian immediately!

 

Keep Your Cat Cool

Keeping your cat cool is sometimes easier said than done. Start with cooling your home as much as possible. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day, especially when exposed to direct sunlight, and give your cat access to cool surfaces.

Ensure that a cool breeze is going through any rooms they are in. Most Londoners do not benefit from air-conditioned homes, but you can use regular fans, cooling or misting fans, or mobile air conditioners, provided they’re in good condition and safe for cats to be around.

If your cat is indoor-only, take extra care to secure windows and doors, only opening gaps that are 2 inches wide and securing them with high-quality screens or netting.

Keep up regularly grooming your cat to remove any excess fur that might keep heat trapped and add to their discomfort.

Some cats enjoy licking (flavoured) ice cubes. Try to freeze your cat’s favourite treat, like a Lick-e-Lix, but remember to allow the ice lolly to warm up slightly or to pour a little warm water on it to prevent his/her tongue from getting stuck before you give it to him/her.

Top Tip: A great way to cool your cat down is to apply cool water to their beanies!

One of our amazing foster carers and cat behaviourist, Dr Sarah Brown: “I tried this with Lennie and George yesterday to help cool them down. Only very shallow water though and I wouldn’t leave near young kittens in case they got stuck in the water. George and Lennie loved it!”

Consider buying your cat a cooling mat. Alternatively, you can use cold, wet towels or ice packs to put underneath their bedding or wrap them in thin towels for them to lie on. Here’s more from Sarah’s Instagram:

Don’t overexert them and schedule play early or late when they will be more active.

It is not unusual for cats to withdraw to a dark hideout during the hottest hours of the day and seem more lethargic. Even when they are in a cool or air-conditioned environment, they will feel the high-pressure weather system affecting them.

So, how can you tell when your cat is overheating and needs help?

 

Watch Out for Signs of Heatstroke

Cats can overheat and suffer heatstroke in temperatures above 27°C (80.6°F). Heatstroke is a very serious condition that can cause severe dehydration, organ damage and death. If your cat is showing symptoms of heatstroke, start cooling them down immediately, then contact your vet. Heatstroke is more dangerous the longer their body temperature stays high, so the quicker they are cooled down and treated by a vet, the better their chance of a full recovery.

Signs of Heatstroke in Cats

  • Panting and fast breathing

  • Bright/dark red or sometimes very pale gums

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhoea

  • Weakness

  • Confusion

  • Wobbliness or collapse

  • Seizures

  • Blindness

  • Unconsciousness

 

First Aid for Heatstroke in Cats

Step 1: Move your cat indoors to a cool room or into the shade

Step 2: Start cooling your cat straight away

  • Slowly pour cold water (water from the cold tap is fine) over their whole body, most cats don’t like being wet so be very gentle (be extremely careful they don’t inhale any water by keeping it away from their nose and mouth)

  • Create a breeze by turning a fan on, or opening doors and windows

  • Offer them a drink of cold water but do not force them to drink

  • Put them on top of a cold, soaking-wet towel

  • Don’t cuddle them or cover them with a wet towel as this can make them even hotter

  • Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen veg in a tea towel and place it between their legs

Step 3: Call your vet as soon as possible or, better yet, rush your cat to the nearest (emergency) vet

  • Transport your cat in a car with the air-conditioning on, or with the windows open (but make sure they aren’t able to escape)

  • If possible, bring someone with you to keep cooling your cat while you travel

For more information, visit the PDSA’s article: Heatstroke in Cats

 

Last But Not Least: Avoid Sunburn

Temperatures don’t have to exceed 27°C (80.6°F) for cats exposed to peak sunlight hours (10am to 4pm) to suffer from sunburn. Make sure they have plenty of access to shady, cool areas, especially when the sun is strongest, from midday to mid-afternoon, or consider keeping your cats indoors, especially if they are prone to sunburn.

If your cat can’t be kept indoors or confined to the shade during these hours, you’ll want to look into pet-safe sunscreen.

For light-coloured cats (white, ginger, especially any with light-coloured noses and ears) that like to venture out in the sun, consider using Titanium Dioxide-based sun cream, especially on the tips of the ears and nose. Avoid any that contain Zinc Oxide and ask your vet if you are unsure.

Depending on your cat’s personality, you could even try a rather fashionable trick: Cat Hats