Cats would very much rather endure the warm weather than water-soaked fur! However, given that summer is in full swing – and the heat is becoming overwhelming – the sunny weather may not be the kind your cat might enjoy. Here are a few ways how to keep your cat cool in summer.

How to Keep Your Cat Cool in Summer That They’ll Be Grateful For

Cats have fur all over their bodies that help insulate them. Unfortunately, this also means that their body heat – and the weather – makes it harder to cool your cats down, especially in the summer. Not only that, cats also don’t sweat. That said, it won’t be as easy for their bodies to regulate their temperature – good thing they have us to help them out!

Here are a few ways you can help keep your cat cool in summer:

• Get your feline friend a cooling bed

When the weather gets too warm, chances are, your cat will probably not have a lot of energy to spend; you might’ve already noticed that your cat is “lazier” than usual this summer! And if they’ll be sleeping more in the first place, why not get them a cooling bed to make their nap time better? They’ll surely appreciate that!

• Keep your cat in a well-ventilated room

Summer or not, cats need to be in places that are well-ventilated – just like us humans and our need for adequate airflow! But, again, since they’re covered in fur, stagnant air might make it harder for the cats to cool down. If you don’t have air conditioning installed in your home, you can opt for a fan — for the air to circulate better.

• Avoid letting your cat outside when it’s hot

If you’d rather stay indoors because of the blazing sun, your cat probably doesn’t want to be outdoors either! Not only will the hot temperature of the dirt or gravel potentially hurt their paws, but not having a shaded spot for them can possibly endanger your cat’s well-being from the direct sunlight.

• Wipe them with a wet towel

If the overall temperature of the environment your cat’s in is simply too warm, you can also wipe your feline friend with a damp towel. Now, there’s a huge chance that your cat won’t like this, but you’ll be doing them a huge favor. Furthermore, the water will quickly evaporate anyway – your cat won’t be mad at you for too long!

• Make sure your kitty always has a bowl of fresh water

No list of “how to keep your cat cool in summer” would be complete without one of the most basic tips out there: provide them with a fresh bowl of water at all times! Water is essential to almost every living organism – cats included! If you want your mouser to drink more water, you can even purchase a water fountain for him or her.

• Two words: Frozen treats!

Cats deserve (or demand?) to be spoiled. If they’re enduring the heat waves just like you, then they’re “entitled” to a fun way to unwind and cool down! You can add ice cubes to their water bowl, freeze tuna or salmon pate, or make cat-friendly fruit popsicles.

*Before giving your kitty homemade frozen treats, ask a veterinarian first if the ingredients you’ll provide are safe for cats!

Important Note

Summer season is almost always scorching. Therefore, it’s natural that your cat will not be as active as they regularly are. Be vigilant and check if they’re showing signs of the following:

• Panting
• Drooling
• Bright red, pale, or bluish gums and/or tongue
• Rapid, labored, or slow breathing
• Restlessness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Collapse or unconsciousness

If your cat exhibits some – or many – of the mentioned signs and symptoms, take them to the nearest veterinary clinic ASAP.

These are some warning signs of a possible heatstroke. Your cat will most likely need emergency medical care – as heatstroke can potentially lead to fatal outcomes.

Summary

Cooled-down cats are cool cats! However, the scalding summer may make it difficult for them to do it by themselves. And as cat owners, it’s our job to help them. If you’re still unsure – or you’re looking for different ways – how to keep your cat cool in summer, you can always ask a veterinarian to help you out.