Introduction
Even though the hot summer weather is great for your cat’s activities and playful nature, many cats tend to struggle with the heat as well. Especially when there is not enough to cool off by sweating, cats tend to overheat and quickly feel a lot of heat. It is vital to keep your cat cool in hot weather, or else it might face a heat stroke or hyperthermia.
Basic Tips to Keep Your Cat Cool in Hot Weather
Many strategies can be used to save your cat from feeling hot and save it from a potential heatstroke.
- Make sure that there is fresh water available 24/7 and on the go.
- It is important to provide a well-ventilated place and a cool environment for the cat.
- Cats tend to play outside a lot, so make sure there are sheds available underneath which it can play.
- Use air conditioning indoors, open the windows and use the fan to cool each room.
- Your cat’s coat must have no matted hair, as it traps heat. Hence, make sure you clip off their long hair.
- Stroke your cat with a damp towel.
- Never leave your cat in the car with the heater on, even if the windows are open. The temperature inside might rise and can cause major harmful issues.
Whenever the heat is too much, cats might not feel bothered or hot like humans tend to. However, this is dangerous because it can cause heatstroke that can be fatal. So it is crucial to keep your cat’s temperature low during the summers and keep your cat cool in hot weather. You can take the following steps and avoid fatal heatstrokes and hyperthermia.
Icy Treats for the Kittens
The ice treats aren’t specific to the kittens, as they can be given to adult cats. However, you should make ice lollies for your cat, combined with their favorite food or flavor. This helps them eat it without messing up their balanced diet. You can use chicken stock or even some tuna to make the lollies.
Playing with the Ice Cubes
This is another step you can make your cat take to help keep your cat cool in hot weather. Even if you make ice lollies for cats, cats still need to touch something cold to physically keep the body temperature low. Ice cubes help produce the cat’s coolness and a fun activity. The cat’s paws will cool down and absorb heat anymore through this activity. Moreover, it doesn’t only help keep the cat cool in hot weather and helps provide enrichment when the cat stays indoors.
Cooling Ice Packs and Mats on the Beds
This is another step you can take to keep your cat cool in hot weather. There are a lot of cooling mats available, and you can buy any one of them which you like. However, it is important to place freezer blocks, pads, or maybe even a packet of frozen vegetables in the blanket. This is the cat’s favorite spot, and it will be exposed to the icy spots.
Grooming Your Cat
Use the excess fur, and there is a risk of excess heat being absorbed into the cat’s skin. Therefore, you need to try and get rid of this extra fur. This is also known as dead hair, and once you get rid of it, your cat will be much more comfortable. However, this encourages the cat to groom itself more, which is also a great way to get rid of heat and keep the cat cool in hot weather.
Recognizing Hyperthermia and Heatstroke
Here are a few symptoms of hyperthermia or heat stroke that you should know during hot days. Clearly, it is very important to keep your cat cool in hot weather, but sometimes the cat might show heatstroke symptoms like:
- Distressed breathing
- Pale gums
- Red gums
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Muscle tremors
- Fever
- Lethargy and laziness
- Seizures
- Collapsing or unconsciousness
- Restlessness
Final Cooling Tips for Cat’s Safety
It is extremely important to keep your cat cool in hot weather, as there are chances your cat might not notice the heat and did not get annoyed by it, but it might end up suffering from a heatstroke.
It is essential to pay more attention to the cat’s feet because sweat glands are on its paws. Ensure you leave the cats’ paws wet during the day to lower the body temperature and minimize the chance of heatstroke. If your cat has wet paws out of nowhere, it means it is sweating. So make sure you hydrate it properly with wet food and a lot of water.
Moreover, it is extremely important to check the garages and sheds before shutting them properly, as cats can always sneak their way out. In this way, they can be stuck in the hot weather for a long time. Always watch out for the heat strokes symptoms like excessive panting. If you notice any signs and unusual behavior, consult your vet.
Conclusion
Conclusively, it is safe to say that there are many ways to take care of their cats and keep them safe from excessive heat. There is just a lot of effort and attention required. It is vital to keep your cat cool in hot weather, or else your cat might be a victim to heatstrokes or hyperthermia.
