How To Cool Down Your Cat On Hot Days

Dear Diary,

There’s a reason why I moved to Scotland. One major one was the weather! 

Whilst the rest of Europe is boiling in summer, it’s still very much bearable here. 

Nevertheless, my flat does heat up on sunny days with windows to all sides.

Over the years, I’ve found my ways to cool down, but what about Jamie?

He’s definitely lazier when it’s hot. 

You can usually find him stretched out on the floor instead of curled up on the sofa. And he does look a bit uneasy. 

Though, apparently cats feel the most comfortable at temperatures around 30 to 38 degrees. Too much for me …

Here are some signs that your cat might be overheating:

• Panting

• Drooling

• Hot to the touch

• Hyperventilation

• Vomiting and diarrhoea 

• Lethargy

So, I was wondering if there’re any tips that can help your cat cool down during summer.

The first one is obvious: avoid letting your cat out into the heat. And offer spaces in the shadow.

Of course, you should make sure to provide plenty of water. You might also add ice cubes to their water.

Let your cat rest during the day and push playtime to the cooler hours of the day.

Make sure to groom your cat regularly to get rid of excess fur.

You can also buy special mats that are filled with a cooling gel designed to keep your cats cool. 

There are some fun things you can try to help your cat stay cool.

1) Create ice lollies 

Simply freeze some water from a tuna can or low-salt chicken stock and let them lick on it.

2) Use wet towels

Dampen a small towel and moisten their coat. You can also wet your hands and stroke them.

3) Play with ice cubes

Place some ice cubes into a freezer bag and fill it with a bit of water. The cat can squish the ice cubes around in the bag whilst cooling their paws.