Cats love nothing more than basking in the sun, but unfortunately, they can still overheat. While they are generally less prone to heatstroke than dogs, it's still important to be aware of the signs and put preventative measures in place.
Below, you'll find five easy ways to keep your cat cool in the summer, recommended by Dr Joanna Woodnutt, who has nine years of experience as a qualified vet. While these are great steps to help prevent overheating, you'll need to take further action if your cat shows signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
It can be helpful to invest in products like pet cooling mats that significantly reduce your cat's body temperature, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune – many of these ideas use things you already have around the house.
How to cool down your cat
1. Ice cubes
One of the easiest ways to cool down your cat is by putting a few ice cubes in their water bowl (which will also encourage them to drink and paw at them out of curiosity). You'll save money in the long run by making your own using molds – just remember to fill them up the night before the heatwave hits!
2. Freeze cat treats
If you're struggling to get your cat to touch their water bowl, you could freeze their treats for a little extra encouragement. This only works with purée-style snacks, and it's worth double-checking whether they're suitable for freezing before offering them to your feline.
3. Make frozen treats
If your regular treats aren't freezable, and you don't fancy splashing out on any new ones, you could always make some homemade popsicles using ingredients you already have in your cupboards. Mix drained tuna (in spring water, not brine) with a splash of water in a tray or mold, freeze, and serve!
4. Cooling mat
While you should never wrap your pet in a wet towel, you could offer a frozen one on the floor that they might like to lie on – or, even better, use a pet-specific cooling mat.
5. Use a fan
If you don’t have air conditioning at home, using a fan is a great alternative. You don't need to splash out on a standing one either – I've seen some budget-friendly handheld models for under $10 on Amazon, which work great for humans too. Your cat probably won't appreciate a strong gust of wind in their face, so start at a distance to help them get used to the sound and sensation.
Signs your cat is too hot
If your cat has heat exhaustion, they might show the following signs:
- Lethargy
- Drinking more
- Hiding away
- Seeking shade/cool areas
In this situation, you need to try to cool them down before it develops into heatstroke. If your cat has heatstroke, they might show these signs:
This is an emergency, and you will need to soak their fur thoroughly with water, keep them in a cool room next to a fan or air conditioning, and call your vet to let them know you're on the way.
Read next: Dehydration in cats and what cats should drink
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
