Keeping Your Cat Cool in Summer

Summer is just around the corner. While it’s great to spend time outdoors, those hot days can be tough on our feline friends. After all, Fluffy is wearing a fur coat! That pretty fur can help kitties stay warm in winter, but in summertime, it can work against them. Cats can’t cool themselves off very effectively, so overheating is very dangerous for them. In this article, a Niagara Falls, ON vet discusses keeping your kitty cool this summer.

Make sure your cat always has plenty of fresh, cool water. Consider getting an automated waterer, especially if you’re out a lot. On really hot days, you can drop an ice cube into Fluffy’s bowl. Actually, because cats’ paw pads help them regulate their temperature, batting an ice cube around is a great way for kitties to cool off. Try dropping one in front of your furball.

Brushing Fluffy regularly will remove dead fur and dander from her coat. This will not only keep your cat looking soft and shiny, it will also help her stay cooler.

If there’s one thing cats are good at, it’s keeping comfortable. If you let Fluffy go wherever she wants to in the house, she will immediately seek out the coolest spot. (Don’t be surprised if you find your furball sprawled out on the bathroom floor: tile often stays quite cool.) If your kitty likes to follow you around, keep an eye on her whenever you go into or out of your attic, garage, cellar, or shed: you don’t want to lock her in!

When the thermometer goes up, keep Fluffy indoors, in rooms that are cooled by fans or air conditioners. Kitties are much safer staying indoors anyway, so this is actually good advice for all seasons!

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Some common symptoms include panting, fever, sweaty paws, lethargy, and unusual meowing. If you know or suspect that Fluffy is overheating, give her some water, and take immediate steps to cool her off. You can wrap her in a wet towel, or put her in front of a fan and mist her with water. Next, immediately contact your veterinarian.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? We can help! Call us, your Niagara Falls, ON animal hospital, today!