Create shade
Creating a shady spot outside is essential for any outdoor explorer. Trees & shrubs are the first places your feline will seek out. If your garden does not have any trees or shrubs, you can compensate by creating a few shady spots of your own.
Try making your very own ‘DIY sun den’ or find one ready made here!
For indoor felines, you will want to note the sundial effect within your home; close curtains & blinds,
& move your feline's bedding to a more suitable location, throughout the day, to shield your feline from the heat.
Provide plenty of water
It might sound simple, but making sure that your feline has plenty of access to clean,
fresh water is one of the most important ways to keep your feline cool & hydrated.
Place plenty of water bowls throughout the house & garden, seperated from their source of food.
Did you know?
Felines are biologically programmed not to drink water which is near their food or toileting area
- this is linked to their hard-wired survival instincts, cautiously avoiding contaminated water.
Likewise, many felines prefer running water, so you might want to consider drinking fountains.
Ice, Ice, Ice
Ice can be a fun & safe way to help keep your feline cool! The possibilities are endless with ice-filled fun. Provide ice cubes for batting around, freeze liquid treats { like our popular Webbox Lick-e-Lix & Catit Creamy }, or try popping an ice cube or two in your feline's bowl or fountain to keep water cooler for longer.
Water Activities
Give in to your feline's urge to jump into an empty bath tub! Allow a running tap of cold water, so your little lion can drink, plod & splash around in puddles to their hearts content.
If this is what fun looks like to your feline, you may want to add a paddling pool!
Cool pads
If you can't get your paws on a cooling mat, provide cold ceramic tiles or a towel soaked in cold water. Lay the towel out in a garden, den, kitchen, table or chair. You can even preserve its coolness by placing ice packs beneath it.
Hot Tip: Grass can provide a really cool, calm & refreshing effect, due to its water content.
Create a grass bed for your indoor feline, by seeding a large { litter or planting } soil-filled tray.
Grooming
Unsurprisingly, long-haired felines are more likely to overheat in the summer. A good grooming routine is important all year round, but it’s especially helpful in the summer months. A daily brush will help make sure that your feline’s thick undercoat & excess fur is removed, which can help them to feel a little cooler.
Did you know?
Feline's regulate their body temperature by soaking their coat in saliva. When the saliva evaporates from the feline's coat,
it provides a cooling effect, similar to that of a human's sweat evaporating off of their skin.
Hot Tip: On particularly hot days, consider stroking your feline with wet hands or a clean cloth.
This action will create the same effect!
Felines most likely to feel the heat...
Any & all feline's can struggle in the heat, but some will find it more difficult to cope with than others.
If your feline fits into one of these categories, they may need some extra care to stay cool during the summer months:
Flat-faced breeds such as felines with short noses like Persians, British Blues & Exotic Shorthairs, can have difficulty breathing due to the structure of their face & therefore struggle to cool down, especially in hot weather.
Long, thick-furred felines will feel the heat more than any other. They may require extra help to cool down in a heatwave – along with regular grooming.
Senior felines or felines with health problems are generally more sensitive to the heat & more prone to serious problems like heatstroke. It would be wise to keep poorly felines indoors & regularly monitored closely.
Overweight felines are put through additional strain, & as their extra fat insulates them, makes it much harder to cool down.
Hairless felines & sun protection
Although fur is a great sun barrier, felines can still get sunburnt, especially on thin-furred areas or areas with no fur, such as the ears & nose. Felines that are hairless, such as the Sphynx breed, or light in coloured coats, such as ginger or white, are especially at risk.
Protecting your feline from sunburn is vital, as it can lead to a skin cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. When the weather is hot & you’re lathering sun cream on your skin, remember to protect the exposed areas of your feline with pet-safe sun cream too.
Know the signs of heatstroke
Most felines avoid overheating by seeking shade. However, if they are trapped in a hot area {ie. shed, porch, greenhouse, loft conversions} & have no way to cool themselves down, they are at risk of heatstroke. It’s important for all feline parents to be aware of the signs & symptoms of heatstroke, so you can get help quickly if needed. Common symptoms include:
Low energy
Drooling
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Panting
Unsteadiness
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If you're worried your feline is suffering from heatstroke, contact your vet immediately.