How to Keep Your Cat Cool

Technically around 38 degrees Celsius is too hot for a cat, however it rarely reaches temperatures that high in the UK. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not at risk of getting heat stroke when it’s only 30 degrees outside. Heat becomes dangerous when it’s over a prolonged period, so if your kitty gets too warm and has no way of cooling down then lower temperatures can be dangerous too.

Getting trapped in places that hold heat well such as a conservatory or greenhouse is risky in the summer for your feline. There’s no escape from the heat and they can get much warmer than the temperature outside.

Cats love the sun; they often enjoy basking in patches of warmth as soon as it starts to spill through the windows and heat the ground up. That doesn’t mean they enjoy being hot all the time and still need places to cool off. They need plenty of places where they can reduce their body temperature, so on the hottest days it can even be a good idea to keep them indoors just to make sure they have lots of chances to cool off and not overheat.

In extreme heat having somewhere that is always cool is a massive help. We usually see them advertised for dogs as they’re more likely to run around in the sun, but having something to cool off a cat who has been sunbathing for hours is also of benefit.

Cooling mats are gel filled pads that cool when any pressure is applied to them. They activate as soon as your feline friend lies down on them and stay cool for hours. The Pet Cooling Mat is a great, low maintenance way of offering your kitten somewhere to lie if they ever get too hot and you don’t even have to do anything to keep them cool.

Cats always need a supply of fresh water, especially during the warmer months when they’re likely to drink more to stay hydrated. Having multiple water bowls around the house means they can be a close by source of water all the time. If they’re comfortable they might not want to go to the other side of the house for a drink. Making it as easy as possible for them to reach a water source will help to keep them hydrated.

Bowls should be kept out of the sun, so they don’t gradually heat up through the day. The water should be changed on a daily basis and the bowl should be cleaned. While a water bowl might look clean, bacteria and saliva can collect at the bottom so needs to be cleaned on a regular basis.

Ceramic or metal bowls are the best choice, they can be cleaned easily and don’t break down over the years while plastic tends to harbour bacteria more and can become more easily contaminated. Ceramic and Steel can also be sterilised and kept clean.

Cats need areas to cool off from the sun, especially because they tend to like to lie in it so much. When they become too hot, they need options to remove themselves from the heat. You can keep whole rooms nice and cool by closing blinds or curtains, so they have the option to escape there if they get too warm.

Covered bed areas are also a great option like this Happy Pet Oslo Pod Grey Bed which will always allow them an area to escape from the bright sun.

Ice cubes can be great fun for your feline companions. One of the main ways cats loves to play is through chasing. Kittens like to chase from a young age as it socialises them and prepares them for hunting skills, they no longer need but still instinctually practice. An ice cube on a tiled floor or outside in the garden can be great fun to chase and when they catch it, it has the added bonus of cooling their paws down.

Dogs are often given paddling pools in the summer to soak themselves in if they get too hot, but cats aren’t often a fan of going for a little paddle, so we have to get creative. Ice cubes are great for coaxing them into cooling themselves while having a little play.

Cats may not be the biggest fan of getting wet and they might not let you give them a cooling bath, but you might just get away with patting them down with a cool, wet towel. It can dampen their fur and help to bring down their core temperature, especially in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest and they’re more likely of getting too hot.

If they enjoy it, you can always lay down some wet towels to give them the option of lying on something damp and cool, but many cats will choose to go back and bake themselves instead of having the sense to cool off. A pet down here and there with a wet towel will at least give their bodies a break from being overheated.

Heatstroke occurs when your furry friend gets too hot and has no way to cool down their core temperate. It occurs predominantly when they’re in a humid environment or don’t have enough ventilation when there’s no place they can go to cool off, they don’t drink enough water, or they run around too much in the heat.

By giving them lots of options to cool off you can hopefully always prevent them from getting heatstroke but it’s important to know the signs to watch out, for so they can help their four-legged friends as quickly as possible if it does happen.

Heatstroke symptoms can range quite a lot but if you suspect it, getting the right help is important. If you spot any symptoms, The Community Pet Clinic can help to offer support and get your beloved pet back to their normal, happy self. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

The faster you’re able to notice their distress, the quicker you can help get them the support they need to recover.

For all your cat essentials this spring and summer, take a look at our wide range of stock either in-store or online.