Summertime may mean hitting the beach and lots of outdoor fun, but the hot weather poses some dangers to our pets. It’s best to watch out for signs of dehydration and heat stroke as these could lead to serious illnesses or even fatalities if you’re not careful. It’s definitely important to know how to cool a cat down during hot summer days.
Can Cats Handle
Hot Weather?
Cats like to lounge around right
where there is a bit of sunshine. They also have ways of cooling themselves
such as licking their fur or sweating through their paws. But there may be
times when our feline friends might need a little help from their human owners
to regulate their body heat. Heat stroke in cats isn’t as common as in dogs,
but they still happen. Heat exhaustion leads to heat stroke, which could lead
to organ damage or failure.
Here are some useful tips on how to help cats in hot weather:
1. Make sure water is always available.
Heat waves could get a little
extreme in the summer. It’s not uncommon for vets to handle several cases of
cat heatstroke during this time of the year. One sure way to keep your cat’s
body temperature down is to make sure his water bowl is always replenished.
2. Keep your cat groomed.
Some cats with thicker coats would
be even hotter and bothered during summer. You may consider taking your cat to
the groomers for a nice trim. Also, it helps to make sure his fur is always
free from tangles to prevent irritation, dryness, and possible infections.
3. Provide shaded areas in the yard.
How to keep outdoor cats cool in
hot weather? Make sure there are shaded spots in the yard where your cat can
rest and lounge around freely away from the hot sun. Place a tent or any type
of covering in areas where your cat likes to spend his time. Building a
specially designed outdoor enclosure would also be a great way to train and take care of your outdoor cat.
4. Keep your house well-ventilated.
Allow air to move around the house
by opening windows and turning on the fan in rooms where your cat likes to stay
in. Keep blinds and curtains closed however in the windows where direct
sunlight comes in. If the heat gets a little extreme, an air conditioned room
is always helpful in keeping pets cool in the summer.
5. Elevate your cat’s bed.
An elevated bed would allow air to
pass underneath, keeping your pet cat cool while he’s snoozing. Also, replace
your cat’s thick beddings with cooler and more comfortable fabrics.
6. Don’t cover cool floor surfaces.
You’ll notice cats moving towards
floor surfaces that are cool to the touch. Allow your cat to lay down wherever
he seems to feel comfortable. You can try buying cooling mats for cats but
these should be used responsibly. Watch out and make sure your cat doesn’t poke
a hole into the surface. He could accidentally ingest the gel inside, which
might be toxic.
7. Use a wet washcloth.
If you’re worried about the
excessive heat and want to make sure your cat’s temperature doesn’t go up, use
a damp towel or washcloth and use it to moisturize your cat’s fur. Cats
actually groom themselves and lick their fur with saliva as a way to cool off.
Your cat sure won’t mind feeling a bit of moisture on a hot day.
8. Let your cat sleep.
Hot weather might result in your
cat sleeping
a lot more than usual. Felines
sleep 12-16 hours a day on average. On a hot day, some sensible cats would
prefer napping and relaxing to playing and moving around.
How can I tell if my cat is too hot?
There are a few ways to tell if
your cat is feeling too hot. For one, you may notice him leaving wet paw prints
all over the house. The reason for this is because cats sweat through sweat
glands on their paws. Wet paw prints mean that your cat needs to have his
fluids replenished.
Cats may also pant if they’re
feeling particularly hot. It’s not something you see every day but it’s not
necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if heavy panting ensues, take him to
the vet immediately as he may already be suffering from a heat stroke.
How can I help my cat cool down?
Make sure to keep him hydrated by
making sure his water bowl is filled up.
Cool your cat down by wiping him
lightly with a wet washcloth. A cooling bed for cats may also be a good
investment when summer is just around the corner.
Another useful trick on how to
cool a cat down is to fill up a plastic bottle with water and freeze it
overnight. Take this bottle out on a hot day, wrap a towel around it, and keep
it near your cat’s bed when he is sleeping or lounging.
How do you cool down a cat in heat?
A cat in heat is a different type
of “heat” altogether, but can be a concern for pet owners nonetheless. To calm
down a cat in heat, you need a lot of patience and to provide your pet with
some extra attention. Be extra careful though because cats in heat are also
prone to running away. Take some precautions to keep your cat from running out the door.
Conclusion
Keeping pets cool in the summer is
an absolute must for every caring pet owner. When the weather is hot, make sure
your cat always has access to water to keep from being dehydrated. It’s also
best to keep your pet cat indoors, where you can regulate the temperature and
allow for good ventilation. Allow your cat to relax and sleep during daytime
and play with him in the evening when it’s cooler. Lastly, watch out for signs
of heat stroke. If you notice heavy panting, lethargy, fever, drooling,
vomiting, or unconsciousness, it would be best to take your cat to the vet for
immediate treatment.
