Keeping Your Cat Cool in Summer

It's been incredibly hot here lately; it's been in the 90s for at least the past week.  The heat really gets to me, so I can't even imagine how my kitties feel with their fur coats!  If you're experiencing a heat wave, here are some tips on keeping your cat cool.

Photo Credit: Beatrice Murch

Ice Water: If you know it's going to be a hot day, put a few ice cubes in your kitty's water dish.  I've tried this with my kitties, and they seem to like it.

Provide a Fan: Place a box fan near your air conditioner or an open window.  If your cat gets hot, he or she can sit near the fan for a nice breeze.  I nearly always have a fan on in the summer since the apartment's central air conditioning doesn't work well.  Jewel seems to enjoy the fan's breeze when she's hot.

Cooling Bottles: Fill a small, plastic soda bottle with water, and put it in the freezer overnight  Remember that water expands when it freezes, so don't fill the soda bottle completely.  Take it out in the morning, and wrap it in a towel.  Place it in your cat's favorite bed or sleeping spot.

Haircut: Cats with medium or long hair might benefit from a summer haircut.  Be aware, though, that white or light-colored cats can get sunburned.  It's best to talk with your vet about whether a haircut would be beneficial for your kitty before you schedule him or her at the groomer's.

Photo Credit: Alisha Vargas

Allow Access to Tiled Spaces: Allow your kitty access to cool, tiled spaces, such as your bathroom floor, sink, bathtub, or basement.  If you typically have rugs covering your tiled floors, pick them up on hot days so your cat can enjoy the cool floor.  Many cats also enjoy curling up in the bathtub or sink on particularly hot days as well.

Limit Activity: Exercise is important for cats, but it's best to limit your furry friend's activity on hot days.  Hold play sessions in the early morning or nighttime hours when the temperature is cooler, and your cat isn't as likely to overheat.

Photo Credit: hotzeplotz

Give Your Cat a Cool "Bath:" Take a damp cloth and gently rub it over your kitty's fur to help him or her cool down.  I've done this with Milita before, and while she didn't enjoy the actual wetting of her fur, she did appear cooler afterwards.

How do you keep your cat cool during the summer?