Extreme temperatures that tend to be either hot or cold can make cats uncomfortable. In some scenarios, extreme heat could even lead to heatstroke, which could be fatal. This is why it is important that you learn how to cool a cat, especially if you own one.
Obese cats, flat-faced breeds, old cats, and cats with respiratory diseases are particularly prone to heatstroke. There are several ways through which cat owners can identify if the heat is becoming unbearable for a cat. They include;
- Restless behavior: This could be a sign of overheating as a cat becomes restless when looking for a place to cool down.
- Rapid breathing/panting: When a cat is breathing irregularly and/or panting heavily, it could be a sign of overheating.
- Red tongue/gum: If your cat is sporting an unusually red tongue and/or gum, it could be another signal of your cat having a reaction to high temperatures.
- Vomiting: Cats throwing up could also be an indication of excessive heat affecting a feline. This could also lead to dehydration due to fluids being expelled when your cat throws up.
- Lethargy: Cats sleeping more than usual, being unresponsive to their environment, and having low energy levels could be a result of uncomfortably high temperatures.
- Stumbling/Staggering: Disorientation and generally having poor muscle coordination could also be indicators of excessive heat.
- Sweaty paws: Excessive sweat on your cat’s paws can be indicative of an adverse reaction to the heat. Cats have sweat glands situated on their paw pads. A trail of sweaty footprints can be a sign of excessive heat as cats are not usually sweaty.
- Fever: Fever is another sign that can indicate your cat is suffering from heatstroke. If your cat has a temperature higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be said to have a fever. The average body temperature for a cat ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Muscle tremors: If your cat’s muscles are twitching involuntarily, it could be a sign that your cat is bothered by the heat.
- Drooling/Salivating: If your cat is drooling or salivating, it could be another symptom of an adverse reaction to the heat.
To cool down your cat and avoid these symptoms, there are various steps that should be taken to ensure your cat is comfortable and healthy.
How To Cool a Cat Down
Ensure Your Cat Has A Cool Environment
Cool environments will help bring a cat’s body temperature down and provide comfort from the overwhelming heat. Providing a cool environment for your cat outdoors could be as simple as providing shade, either in the form of an umbrella or placing a cloth or cardboard over a particular spot to create a shaded area. This provides shade or a cool spot for your cat to relax whenever the heat becomes unbearable.
Run The Air Conditioning
Continually running the air conditioner keeps the house cool, and by extension, your cat too. A lot of the methods humans use to cool down are also favorable to cats. Cats can also benefit from an air-conditioned environment during hot weather, so leaving the air conditioning on could be suitable for your cat. Although, after a while, the cold may become annoying, so leave a door open or any other means available for your cat to be able to go to a warmer area when it needs to.
Hydration
It is general knowledge that hydration is key during periods when temperatures are running high. This is due to the body losing more fluid in hot weather, which could be worsened if your cat is vomiting. Extreme heat can cause a cat’s blood temperature to spike up as well, which triggers its instinct to drink water to regulate the temperature. Ensure your cat has access to cool water, preferably in a wide bowl.
This is because cats do not like their whiskers coming into contact with the bowl. Ice cubes can be added to the water to make it cool and refreshing. (ensure the water is free of algae as it can be poisonous to cats). Place multiple bowls in different locations in the house to encourage them to drink. Cats also prefer running water, so a water fountain for your cat might be a great idea.
Ventilation
Ensure that there is proper ventilation for your cat by opening windows or doors to make sure air is coming into the house. This will allow fresh, cool air or a light breeze into the house. To further improve ventilation, fans can be placed around open windows to circulate air through your home. Try to place your fans at floor level blowing towards the center of the room for the best results.
Regular Grooming
Brushing and combing your cat during hot weather is very important as it helps to keep your cat cool. Grooming should be done regularly and consistently during summer. Daily grooming is recommended for cats with long or medium hair, while for breeds with shorter hair grooming once a week is enough in most cases.
Matted hair traps heat so grooming your cat is a worthwhile investment. Well-groomed hair allows air to reach your cat’s body. It is recommended you brush your cat during the cooler part of the day when they’re less irritable and more likely to co-operate.
Avoid Shaving Your Cat
Cats regulate their fur naturally. Cats shed and gain fur in cycles that are best for their body. Fur also serves dual purposes, depending on the weather. Fur doesn’t only keep cats warm during cold weather but also cools them during hot weather. Fur traps cool air against the body, helping your cat to cool down in hot summer weather.
If you still want to shave your cat in the summer, it’s best to see a professional. Amateur shaving or shaving your cat to the skin can be detrimental. It can leave your cat open to insect bites or sunburn, which can eventually lead to skin cancer. It is best, in most cases, not to shave your cat’s fur.
Elevate Your Cat’s Litter Box
Investing in an elevated litter box for your cat during hot weather is worthwhile as it allows airflow beneath your cat’s bed while it relaxes on a hot day.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubes can be used to pique your cat’s interest and encourage them to have fun while simultaneously cooling them on hotter days. Pour some ice cubes on a hard floor and let your cat swat them around and toy with them. Cats like playing with ice cubes, pouncing and swatting them. This helps them cool down when the ice cubes come into repeated contact with their paws, which cats use to absorb and lose heat.
Play With Your Cat During The Cooler Parts Of The Day
Encourage your cats to move about early and late during the day when it is cool, so they’re less likely to move around when the sun is out and temperatures rise to their highest.
Close Openings During The Day
Curtains and blinds should be closed during the day, providing shade from the sun that might otherwise get in. A lot of the heat generated in houses is due to sunlight as light transmits heat. Reducing the sunlight coming into the house effective reduces the general temperature of the house. This provides comfort for your cat and keeps the house cool while also keeping air conditioning bills down.
Serve Cats Wet Food
Feed your cat wet food to keep its fluid levels up and prevent your cat from becoming dehydrated.
Keep Your Cats Out Of Conservatories and Greenhouses
Conservatories and greenhouses can become dangerously hot, even in warm weather. They become even worse in the summer and can be a deathtrap for cats as they not only magnify the heat but also prevent a cooling breeze from blowing. Cats are prone to accidentally getting trapped in greenhouses and conservatories, so cat owners should try their best to keep them out of such places.
Cool Your Cat’s Bed
Create a cool spot for your cat to relax on a hot summer day by wrapping ice in a napkin or towel and placing it in a litter box or any place your cat prefers to settle on a hot day. The same effect can be recreated with a bottle of cold water to replace the ice, do not fill the bottle to the brim as the ice expands when frozen. This cools your cat whenever it decides to relax.
Stroke Your Cat With A Damp Cloth
Cats don’t like getting wet, but most don’t mind getting some moisture on their fur, especially after experiencing its cooling effect. Cats have been known to cool themselves down by grooming, which mostly involves them licking themselves and wetting their fur with saliva as opposed to water. Use a damp napkin or paper towel to dab your cat’s fur to cool it down on a hot summer day. The warmest parts of cat’s bodies are their paws, bellies, armpits, under their chins, and around their ears.
Keep Your Cat Indoors
It is best to keep your cat indoors during the hotter parts of the day; even if your cat is an outdoor cat, keep it inside during the hottest hours of the day. This prevents heatstroke and keeps your cat in good condition.
Apply Petsafe Sunscreen
The use of sunscreen isn’t limited to humans, and cats can also be susceptible to sunburn. Cats, especially those with white hair and fur, can easily get a sunburn, which can lead to painful blisters and sores and, in worse cases, skin cancer. Pet-safe sunscreen should be applied 10 – 20 minutes before your cat gets in the sun. Lather the sunscreen around the most exposed parts of its body, such as the nose, ears, groin, and armpit. Pet-safe sunscreen is a worthwhile investment for your cat’s health in hotter climes.
Sun Protective Clothing
Sun protective clothing[1] designed to protect from ultraviolet rays is available in many locations. When buying sun protective clothing, take note of its UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). The ultraviolet protection factor is a rating system that indicates how much protection it gives, ranging from 15 to 50, with a higher rating meaning more protection. When wearing sun-protective clothing for your cat, ensure it doesn’t overheat due to its additional layer of clothing.
Expose Cool Flooring
Allow your cat to lay on cool flooring to dissipate the heat. If you have a rug covering your tiled floor or, in any similar case. Uncover the floor for your cat to lay on when it’s hot during the day.
Calm Your Cat
Encourage your cat to stay calm during the hotter parts of the day as moving around and expending energy can make its body temperature increase.
Ice Treats
To cool your cat down on a hot summer day, you can give your cat ice treats to relieve the heat and reduce its body temperature. There are various treats you can give your cat during the hot summer period, such as;
- Frozen tuna snacks: Put small mounds of tuna in the freezer and feed them to your cat during the hotter parts of the day.
- Frozen cat food: Change your cat’s favorite wet food into frozen popsicles. Place your cat’s favorite wet food in a bowl and put it in your freezer for your cat to eat later.
- Cat ice cream: Ice creams are ideally not good for cats but a special blend of natural frozen yogurt or natural lactose-free are healthy and vet approved.
Avoid Car Trips
If possible, avoid going on any car trips on hot summer days and never leave your cat in the car because the temperature in a car can rise drastically and cause irrepairable damages to your cat.
Call Your Vet
If after using the aforementioned procedures detailed in the article and the symptoms of heatstroke are persistent, contact your vet while still continuing the treatment.
Glossary
[1] Sun Protective Clothing – Link
