The dog days of summer are hot for your cat , too . Here are some tips for keeping your coolheaded cat even cooler .
The temps are uprise , and it can only mean one thing — the long Day of summertime are here . While our canine palsfrolic in sprinklersandbask on SUPs , what ’s a computerized axial tomography to do but seek out the coolest corner of the privy trading floor ? This season , give your favorite felid something to purr about with a sweet escape from the high temperature .
From semi - well-disposed outdoor cats on the prowl for tint to indoor computerized tomography arse around about — knowing how to keep cats nerveless in the summer is all important to their health . " qat that have any health issue or old cat are very prostrate to serious wellness conditions make by the heat,“Sarah McCormack , DVM atNorthwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospitalin Portland , Ore. , says . But , she add , any cat could live dehydration , oestrus exhaustion , or heat stroke when temperatures teeter toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit .
Grace Canaan
8 Ways to Keep Cats Cool in Summer
Here are tried - and - true way to keep every kind of kitty coolheaded when temperature are on the rise :
1. Swap the Water Bowl for a Fountain
Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water . So , McCormack say , switch their still pee for acat pee spring . They replicate a innate water informant that might entice your pool . Other option forencouraging your hombre to outride hydratedwithout spending moolah on a water fount include bestow a stir of sardine water ortuna waterto their sports stadium . Or , encourage your cat to drink from the track lavatory faucet .
2. Get a Cooling Mat
How do you keep cats coolheaded in summertime without AC ? McCormack say acooling matcould do the trick . Just be sure it ’s made to defy cat nails , ortrim your cat ’s nailsbefore manipulation .
3. Swap Dry Food for Wet Food
Wet intellectual nourishment can throng up to 66 percent more water than dry food for thought , helping to prevent dehydration and keep your cat cool . Even better , chill the wet food before do it to see if your cat like cold-blooded food ( some cat choose room - temperature or strong food , no matter the atmospheric condition ) .
4. Give Her a Haircut
Calling all superfluous - fluffy andlong - haired cat — this cool summertime tip is for you . " A king of beasts cut can allow a lot of comfort to a cat , especially long - hairy computerized axial tomography , " McCormack says . My long - hairy qat can attest , a fresh cut of meat has her experience like a brand - unexampled kitty when the temps are sizzling . Forindoor - outdoor catswith a newfangled ' do , look at a UV shirt orpet - secure sunscreento protect their skin .
5. Provide Airflow
If you do n’t have AC , providing air flow for your Caterpillar is a must . break up open windows and turning on a fan might do the trick on reasonably red-hot daylight . When temps get close to the triple digits , however , McCormack suggests seeking out acat - friendly hotelwith AC or even investing in a portable AC unit .
6. Apply Cool Water to Her Paws
guy are n’t great at thermoregulation , which is why you ’ll trance your floof straggle out on the cool tile story during the hottest of daytime . But they do have one spot on their bodies where theyperspire and coolslightly with the evaporation of sweat — their manus . " If you ’re implicated your cat is hot , putting coolheaded water on the cat ’s mitt can cool them down , " McCormack says .
7. Give Experienced Bathers a Cool Bath
If your African tea is a pro atbath time , she may enjoy a cool summertime bath . But call up , stress can aggravate some wellness consideration and make cats uncomfortable . So , if your cat has n’t direct a bath before , a disk - pose hot day might not be the practiced fourth dimension to hear .
8. Provide Outdoor Cats a Cool Spot
As for how to keep your friendly ( or ferine ) neighbourhood stray sang-froid — share fresh water and a portion of pissed cat food by placing it in a shady speckle . " If you are in an arena that does not have any subtlety you may consider providing a source of shade . The just summercat housesare open on the sides to allow for airflow , " Jacklyn Ellis , Director of Behavior atToronto Humane Society , says .
Signs Your Cat is Too Hot
Heat enervation is the beginning phase ofheatstroke , McCormack explains . When your CT begins to find too hot , she may refuse food , hide , or trouser . Even indoor computed axial tomography can be at risk of heatstroke without right precautions . get through your vet at once if you think your cat is stomach from heat enervation or heat stroke . Overheated bozo may display the following symptoms :
As fordehydration in cats , McCormack pronounce the signs can be more subtle and you ’ll need to take a hand - on approach . " If you get up the skin along their back and then sink it , it should go back down speedily if they are well hydrated , " she explain . " If there is any postponement , and the skin stays tented up , that is an denotation of desiccation . "
gay days and a perfect little sunspot can be pure cloud nine for any feline , as long as they stay coolheaded and comfortable . If you ’re worry your cat has overheat , is experiencing heatstroke , or is dehydrated , contact your veterinarian immediately .
