How to Cool Down a Cat in the Summer Months

Key Takeaways

• Cats are at serious risk for dehydration and heatstroke during the hot summer months. Kittens and senior cats are especially at risk because they often experience difficulty regulating their body temperature.
• Encourage hydration by offering your indoor or outdoor cat lots of fresh water throughout the day.
• Provide plenty of shade indoors and outdoors, limit sun exposure, and circulate cool air with fans to keep them cool.

As summer approaches, it’s more important than ever to learn how to cool down a cat. Though they love lounging in the bright sun, cats are prone to heatstroke and may even become dehydrated in high temperatures. Long-haired cats, senior cats, and kittens are more susceptible due to their difficulty regulating body temperature. Learn how to keep cats cool in hot summer months with these tips from Cat-in-the-Bag!

Why it’s Important to Know How to Cool Down a Cat

Cats are actually pretty great at cooling themselves down in hot weather. Ever noticed that they groom themselves more during the summer? It’s because saliva creates a cooling effect as it evaporates. Cats also have sweat glands in their paw pads.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little help cooling down. Cats generally cope well with moderate temperatures, but struggle as the temperatures skyrocket. Indoor cats and excessive hot weather may lead to dehydration or heatstroke. Keep an eye on your cat’s body language and behaviour. Signs of overheating can include:

• Heavy panting
• Excessive drooling or salivation
• Restlessness or agitation
• Lethargy
• Bright red or pale gums

Learning how to cool down a cat will protect your feline from heat-related conditions and keep them comfortable throughout the season!

Keep Them Hydrated

When planning how to cool down a cat or how to keep your cats cool in summer, providing plenty of fresh water should be at the top of your list. Not only will it keep your cat cool but it’ll help prevent dehydration. Encourage them to drink water with these tips:

• Place multiple water bowls around your home to ensure water is always within reach.
• Some cats may prefer ceramic or metal water bowls with wide rims over plastic. We recommend using ceramic or metal bowls as plastic can trap bacteria and cause chin acne.
• Provide running water! Some cats prefer to drink from a running water source like cat fountains. You could also offer them a drink from your tap.
• Replace their water throughout the day to keep it cool in the heat and encourage them to drink.

Circulate Cool Air

Air circulation is a must for indoor cats and hot weather. Use fans or air conditioning to provide a cool breeze. Try placing a frozen water bottle in front of the fan to circulate cool air if you don’t have A/C.

Remember to only use fans with a grill over the blades for your kitty’s safety. You should also keep oscillating fans and cables out of reach!

Stay on Top of Grooming

How to effectively cool down your cat for the summer: grooming! Matted fur traps heat, so brushing your cat often will help keep them cool. This is especially important for long-haired cats like Maine Coons.

You may also want to consider getting your kitty professionally trimmed during the summer. Talk to your vet about what’s best for your cat.

Provide Plenty of Shade

Looking for tips on how to cool down a cat and how to keep outdoor cats cool in the summer? It’s all about providing shade! Shade created by trees and shrubs is best because it allows air circulation. But if your backyard or garden lacks these naturally occurring spots, you can create a makeshift shady spot with cardboard or potted plants (real or faux). Outdoor patio umbrellas are also terrific for summertime!

Use Damp Towels and Cooling Mats

Indoor cats and hot weather may not always mix, but there are a few things you can do to make them more comfortable. Here’s how to cool down a cat and how to keep cats cool in summer:

• Place a cooling mat where your cat likes to sleep or relax.
• Wrap an ice pack in a blanket or towel or create your own with a frozen water bottle. Pop this in their favorite lounge spot!
• Gently stroke your cat with a cool, damp towel or cloth to bring relief from hot weather. The warmest parts of a cat’s body are the paws, tummies, armpits, under their chins, and outside their ears.

Limit Sun Exposure

Learning how to cool down a cat? Since the sun is a big heat culprit, try to limit your feline’s sun exposure during the hottest part of the day. This is generally in the late afternoon – around 3pm to 6pm. While noon receives the most direct sunlight, the ground and air haven’t absorbed all the heat yet. Make sure there are plenty of shady spots if they must go outside!

Cats can get sunburn too. Breeds with short or white hair are especially at risk, so keep them indoors during peak sunlight hours (10am to 4pm) and, with your vet’s recommendation, apply cat-friendly sunscreen to sensitive areas like their nose and ears.

Play with Ice Cubes

A fun tip for how to cool down a cat? Let them play with ice cubes! Place a few on a hard floor and watch as they bat it around. Great for indoor cats and hot weather, this will cool your feline’s paws, which is where they absorb and lose heat. It’s also an enriching playtime!

How to Keep Cats Cool in Summer

Your cat can stay safe and comfortable all season long with the right precautions. And with the Cat-in-the-Bag Cozy Comfort Carrier, you’re even covered during car rides and vet visits! Use it with air conditioning on hot days. If you’re cool and comfortable, your cat will be, too. Our soft cat carrier is made of lightweight, breathable 100% cotton for more comfortable nail trimming, medicating, vet visits, and car rides. Love your cat!