Tips for Keeping your Cat Cool in the Summer

Are you looking for tips and tricks to keep your cat cool in the summer heat?

Like us humans, cats can love summertime too. Unfortunately, cats are unable to regulate their body temperature in the same way that we can. It is important to remember to keep your cat cool to prevent the risk of heatstroke. The main signs of heatstroke in cats are heavy panting, lethargy, excessive drooling, fainting, or vomiting. Cats suffering from heatstroke need to have their temperature lowered. Then as soon as possible, take your cat to the nearest vet.

Thinking of ways to keep your cat cool in summer can be difficult. At Pets.ie, we have carefully picked out the perfect solutions to help keep your cat cool in the heat.

Avoid midday heat: The hottest part of the day is often from the hours 12 pm-3 pm. This is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. The easiest way to avoid heatstroke in cats is to prevent them from being in the sun during these hours. Let your cats outside in either the early morning or the late evening when the weather is at its coolest.

Ventilate your house: If your cat is inside on a hot day they still may suffer from heatstroke. The best way to prevent this is to open windows in your house to allow the air to ventilate and cool your house down. Pulling blinds or curtains in a room where your cat is will also help prevent the room from heating up too much. Providing shaded spots in a house with lots of sunlight will help your cat as well. Check out our indoor cat houses like the Poppy, the Lily, and the Tabby. Indoor plants may also provide naturally shaded spots.

White cats: White cats are at particular risk of skin cancer. Make sure your white cat stays away from direct sunlight. You may need to provide your cat with pet-safe suncream if they will be outside.

Shade:

Providing your cat with a shaded spot is the perfect way to keep them out of direct sunlight. Having a cat house in the garden is a great solution to this as it provides your cat with a safe, cool space that is their own. We have lots of different cat houses here at Pets.ie that are sure to suit your cat’s needs. Check out the Tabby, the Lily, the Kitty Cottage, and the Rosie Cat Houses. If your garden has lots of plants and trees, this helps provide shade naturally for your cat.

Fresh Water:

It is important to provide your cat with fresh and clean drinking water, especially during hot weather. Adding ice cubes to your cat’s bowl will help keep the water cool. Your cat may prefer a drinking fountain to drink from. Check out our Flower Water Fountain, this water fountain pushes only filtered water to the surface ensuring the water your cat is drinking is safe. Wet food is also a great way to ensure your cat is receiving the hydration they need. At Pets.ie we have Gain Premium Cuts Canned Cat Food which is a delicious and nutritious food for cats.

Grooming:

Regular grooming will help prevent heatstroke as you remove loose hair. This will help cats maintain their cool during hot weather. Check out our wide range of brushes to find the perfect brush or comb to suit your cat's needs.

Cooling mats:

Cooling mats are perfect for both dogs and cats during hot weather. The mat creates a cool place for your cat to retreat to when they become too hot. The mat can be placed on the floor, in your cat’s bed, or cat's house.

The mat contains a gel filling that quickly reduces the temperature of your cat. There is no need for the mat to be placed in a fridge or freezer before use. The filling will re-solidify when the mat is left in a relatively cool place such as a cool room and will be ready to use again.

The cooling mat is waterproof and can be easily wiped clean. Our cooling mats can be bought in various sizes to cater for all pet types.