How to Keep Your Cat Cool, Comfortable, and Safe This Summer

We already covered how to keep dogs cool in summer last year, so it felt only fair to give the cats their moment this go around. They’re a bit more self-sufficient than dogs, admittedly, and considerably less likely to sprint into a paddling pool. But summer still catches them out, so it’s worth making sure you’re in the know about the risks before the temperature starts climbing.

Cats are famously cool, of course. Just maybe not when it’s 32 degrees and they’ve been asleep on the windowsill for hours, so let’s talk about what to do and when to worry.

How hot is too hot for cats?

Cats are desert animals by origin, so they handle heat better than dogs. They don’t pant, they know to seek out cooler spots, and they groom themselves more. All in all, most healthy adult cats manage just fine in warm weather if they’ve got the right options available to them.

That said, once it’s pushing above 30°C, cats can struggle, especially if they’re older, still kittens, overweight, or a flat-faced breed like Persians or British Shorthairs.

Tips for keeping your cat cool in summer

Keep fresh water topped up and accessible

Cats are notoriously prissy drinkers, which doesn’t help when it’s hot. Put out a few water bowls in different spots around the house and garden, and refresh them a couple of times a day so the water stays cool. A bowl that’s been sitting in a sunny spot since breakfast isn’t particularly appealing. If they’re one to drink out of your bedside glass, try putting a “for humans” (wink wink!) glass of water down on a countertop or table elsewhere.

Some cats flatly refuse a bowl and will only drink out of a running tap, and there’s a reason for that: in the wild, flowing water streams are clean and well-oxygenated, but still puddles are likely to be stagnant and full of bacteria. Mystery solved, but it doesn’t solve the problem of their dehydration. For that, we recommend investing in a cat water fountain (found easily online for £25-30), or you can try adding a splash of cool water to wet food. They’re very unlikely to kick up a fuss.

Keep outdoor cats indoors (and keep indoor cats cool too)

Midday to mid-afternoon is when the heat peaks, so those are the hours to try and keep outdoor cats inside if it’s a really hot day. That’s easier said than done with a cat who has a cat flap and strong opinions on containment, but better that than them getting heatstroke while you don’t know where they are.

Better yet, it’s a good excuse to swap a garden rampage for some indoor playtime; a few short sessions with a wand toy are very manageable in the heat, and our eco cat toys, all made from 100% natural, non-toxic materials, are built for safe and enriching fun. Have a look at our online store, or see if your local pet shop stocks us.

Indoor cats don’t get off scot-free. Conservatories and south-facing rooms can get dangerously hot and stuffy in the afternoon, so make sure to keep the coolest rooms accessible, run a fan if you have one, and try putting a cool damp towel on the floor for them. Some cats won’t go for it, others will plant themselves on it for the entire afternoon and you’ll never get it back.

Make sure there are shaded areas to retreat to

Most cats will find their own shady spot when they need one, but on really hot days, make sure they have access to the coolest rooms in the house and aren’t shut out of anywhere they’d naturally gravitate to.

If your cat has a favourite cat bed in a sunny corner, consider moving it somewhere shadier for the summer months. Open windows to bring in fresh air too, just make sure your cat isn’t liable to leap out of it.

NEVER put a cat in a car in very hot weather, even briefly.

If your cat has white fur…

Here’s a statistic that catches cat owners off-guard: White cats are between 13 and 18 times more likely to get skin cancer than other coloured cats. That’s all because of the sun. Any cat with light-coloured or thin fur around their ears and nose, are at risk of sunburn on those areas, and just like with humans, repeated exposure can lead to skin cancer.

A pet-safe sun cream applied to the ear tips, nose, and around the eyelids will do wonders to prevent this. It must be specifically formulated for cats: human sun cream often contains zinc oxide or salicylates, both of which are toxic to cats if licked off.

If you notice any crusty, scaly, or sore patches developing on your cat’s ears or nose over the summer, get them checked. Caught early, it’s very treatable. And for more information on sunburn in cats, Cats Protection have made an information sheet.

What does an overheating cat look like?

Because cats rarely pant, it can be harder to clock the signs of overheating than it is with a dog, but here is what you need to look out for:

• Panting or open-mouth breathing (never normal in cats, but can also be a sign of extreme stress)
• Excessive or frantic grooming
•  Drooling
• Seeming dazed, lethargic, or unsteady on their feet
• Vomiting
• Bright red or very pale gums

If your cat is showing any of these, move them to a cool shaded area straight away and offer small amounts of cool water (not ice-cold; a sudden temperature drop can cause shock). Contact your vet if they don’t perk up quickly; heatstroke in cats can escalate fast.

Should I groom my cat more in summer?

A bit of extra brushing goes a long way, especially for longer-haired cats that might still be shaking off their winter coat. Less loose fur means a more comfortable cat in the heat, and fewer hairballs to boot. Our shedding season guide has the full rundown on how to groom and what brush to use.

Keep cool out there!

Cats already know what to do to stay cool. Your job is mostly just making sure those options are there for them, keeping an eye on them, and applying some sun cream if they need it.

If they’re stuck indoors and you’re after a way for them to channel that pent up energy, have a nosey at our eco cat toys, and if you find a new favourite of theirs, show us over on Instagram or Facebook! We love seeing our toys brighten your pets’ lives.