Summer's warm weather means more chances for our pets to explore and have fun, but those sunny days and high temperatures also bring some risks. Sunburn, not getting enough water, and even heatstroke can be real dangers for cats, whether they're adventuring in the backyard or just relaxing inside your home.
Fortunately, you can do many simple things to keep your cat cool and protect them from problems caused by the heat and sun. Keep reading to find all the safety advice you need to make sure this summer is a fantastic and safe one for your cats.
#1 Keep Your Cat Hydrated
It might seem obvious, but the most important thing is to ensure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water. If your cat seems a bit hesitant to drink, here are a few tricks to encourage them:
Try moving their water bowl away from their food bowl and their litter box. Some cats don't like to drink near where they eat or use the bathroom, so changing the water's location could help. Another idea is to experiment with different types of water bowls. Some cats prefer ceramic or metal bowls over plastic, so it's worth trying a few different styles and seeing if your cat has a preference. You might also find that they like a larger bowl that's filled to the top.
And finally, make sure you have multiple water bowls both inside and outside your home, so they always have easy access to a refreshing drink. If you're feeling really resourceful, you could even collect rainwater, as many cats seem to prefer it over tap water. Just put a bowl outside to catch the rain or fill a bowl from a water butt.
#2 Avoid the Midday Heat
The middle of the day, when the sun is at its strongest, is generally the riskiest time for your cat to be outside because it's also the hottest. Cats are usually most comfortable when the temperature is around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25 °C). When it climbs over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (around 38°C), especially if it's also very humid, the heat can become dangerous for them.
This doesn't mean your cat has to miss out on all the summer fun outdoors! You can still let them enjoy some fresh air, but it's best to do it during the cooler parts of the day, like in the early morning or later in the evening. During these times, the sun isn't as intense, making it much safer for your feline.
#3 Offer Many Shady Retreats
Following on from keeping your cat indoors during peak heat, when they are outside during those cooler morning or evening hours, or even if they're just enjoying a sunny spot indoors, they must have shady places to retreat to.
Cats naturally look for shade when they feel warm, so make sure your yard has different cool, shaded areas. Trees and large shrubs are great natural options, or you could set up a sun sail to create a comfortable shady zone. You might even try moving your cat's favorite bed into a shaded spot to encourage them to relax there and stay cool.
Keep in mind that during the hottest part of summer, your cat might prefer a cooler surface over their usual warm, cozy bed, even if that bed is in a shaded spot.
#4 Consider a Kitty Door for Easy Access
Making sure your cat can easily get back inside your home during the hot summer months can be a true lifesaver. If they start to feel too warm, cats will instinctively search for cooler places to rest.
Installing a kitty door gives your cat a simple way to escape the heat and get to a safer, cooler place inside, even if you're not around to open the door for them.
#5 Be Extra Careful with Car Travel
While cats might not travel in cars as often as dogs do, they face the same dangers from heat when they are in a vehicle. If you need to take your cat somewhere, perhaps to the vet or a boarding cattery, you must never leave them alone in the car, not even for a minute.
During car rides, always make sure their carrier is safely secured. It should also be placed out of direct sunlight and have good airflow. Carriers made of eco-friendly material with a secure wire mesh door are generally a good choice because they allow air to circulate very well.
#6 Try a Damp Towel or Cool Surfaces
You can also help your cat stay cool by offering them a damp towel to lie on. Indeed, most cats aren't fans of getting wet, so they probably won't want to take a swim.
And similar to how some cats react to cooling mats, not all felines will appreciate the feel or smell of a damp towel. However, the majority of cats enjoy stretching out on cool tile floors. If you have tiled areas in your home, you can encourage your cat to relax there to help them beat the heat.
#7 Stay Consistent with Grooming
Extra fur can act like an insulator, trapping heat against your cat's body. Brushing your cat every day helps remove loose, dead hair, which can make a big difference in how comfortable they feel, especially during a heatwave.
You might also observe your cat grooming itself more often than usual when it's hot. This is generally not a cause for concern. As the saliva evaporates from their fur, it actually has a cooling effect, helping to lower their body temperature.
#8 Provide Natural Indoor Scratching Spots
With your cat likely spending more time indoors to stay cool during the summer, they'll still need good places to engage in their natural behaviors, like scratching. If they don't have appealing scratching options, they might start scratching your furniture instead.
Making sure they have dedicated and satisfying scratching posts can keep both your cat happy and your sofa safe. For a smart solution, consider our Cat-e-Corner. It’s designed to wrap around the side of your sofa or armchair, offering complete protection from claws while giving your cat a fun and natural place to scratch.
What's great is that it’s not only a satisfying scratcher for your cat, but it also serves as a practical side table for your living space. So, it protects your furniture, serves as a cat scratcher, and acts as a side table – all in one attractive piece.
Providing good scratching mats or items like this means your cat has a designated spot for this important activity, especially when they're cooped up inside, avoiding the summer sun.
How Can I Cool My Home Without AC?
We often focus on keeping outdoor cats cool during summer, but it's just as important to think about your indoor cat, especially if your home doesn't have air conditioning.
Homes can get surprisingly warm very quickly during the summer, sometimes even hotter than it is outside. If you don't have AC, several methods can still help keep your indoor space more comfortable for your cat.
- Block out the sun: Keep blinds and curtains closed during the sunniest parts of the day to reduce heat buildup.
- Encourage cross-breezes: Be strategic about which windows you open and how you position fans to draw hot air out.
- Create a DIY cooler: Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan.
- Use box fans effectively: Position them near open windows to help pull warm air out of your home.
- Consider a window AC unit: If possible, investing in one for even a single room can make a big difference.
To find out everything you need to know about heatstroke in cats, be sure to read our previous article. Here
