If your pet is experiencing severe heat stress or a heat stroke (symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, difficulty breathing, collapse, or a high rectal temperature) – these are considered “RED” – or true emergencies – on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!
- DO NOT try to cool down your pet with ice water. Instead, apply soaked towels to belly, armpits, and inner thighs.
- It’s okay to turn the air conditioning on in the car – but don’t blast it – as you transport pet to the vet.
- You can offer your pet cool water, but if your pet is not interested or is vomiting, do not force them to drink.
- If your pet is not showing severe symptoms, contact your veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital and they will be able to help determine the degree of heat stress your pet is experiencing and provide recommendations for the next course of action.
Whether your cat safely ventures outside in contained areas or is strictly indoors-only, it’s important to prevent your them from overheating this summer. While cats are typically more heat-tolerant than dogs and even seek out warmer places like heat vents and sunbeams, they can also get too hot. If your home has air conditioning, keeping cool in summer weather is easy to do. However, not everyone has this option! So, we put together this list of ten ways to keep your cats cool this summer.
Prevent Overheating
Before we get to our list, we want to briefly review heatstroke in cats. A heatstroke is a dangerous increase in body temperature that can cause life-threatening multi-organ failure and damage.
Signs of a heatstroke in a cat include:
- Drooling
- Heavy panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Increased heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Lack of coordination
- Increased rectal temperature (105°F is considered dangerously high)
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Death
Cats that are at higher risk of overheating include:
- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats like Persians
- Overweight cats
- Cats with thicker/heavier coats
- Very young kittens
- Senior cats
- Cats with respiratory, heart, or similar medical conditions
Prevention Tips
To help prevent your cat from overheating or experiencing heat stroke this summer, here are some easy tips that will help your cat stay cool!
1. Fresh Water
Just like us, one of the best ways to keep our cats cool in hot weather is by staying hydrated with plenty of fresh, cool water. Your cat should always have access to a clean water dish (we recommend stainless steel or ceramic). If you are gone for longer periods of time during the day, you may also want to consider investing in a cat-specific water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more water.
Bonus Tip: On extra hot days, put ice cubes in your cat’s water dish to help keep the water cooler longer!
2. Cool Air
If you don’t have central air conditioning, consider investing in a window AC unit or utilize ceiling fans and plug-in fans to provide better airflow throughout your home.
3. Close the Blinds & Curtains
Rooms are often cooler when the blinds and curtains are closed, and the sun’s rays can’t peek in. During warmer times of the day, close blinds and curtains to the living room, bedroom, or wherever your cat takes afternoon naps.
4. Brush Your Cat Daily
Research online or talk to your family veterinarian to determine the best brush for your cat based on their coat. It’s always important to brush your cat regularly, but during the summer, we highly encourage more frequent brushing – especially if your cat has a longer, thicker coat. Just imagine how much cooler your cat can be without all that loose hair you just brushed out!
5. Limit Playtime
Try to limit playtimes to cooler hours of the day such as early mornings or evenings. During peak sun hours when the house is warmer, vigorous play may cause your cat to overheat.
6. Shade
If your cat does go outside in a cat condo or safely roams your backyard, make sure they have access to shade. In yards without trees, you can put up an umbrella or canopy.
7. Add Water
Pet your cat with a cool, damp towel or brush them with a wet brush.
8. Put It In the Freezer
Make homemade frozen cat treats with cat-friendly ingredients or by placing wet food in ice cube molds to freeze overnight.
You can also place a towel in the freezer overnight and put it in your cat’s favorite spot in the morning. Another trick is to fill ¾ of water bottles and place them in the freezer overnight. In the morning, wrap them in a towel and place in your cat’s favorite spot.
9. Cooling Mats
Pet-friendly cooling mats are made with special lightweight, cooling fabrics to lower your cat’s body temperature. Some cooling mats may also contain a non-toxic gel or require added water. Overall, though, most work by releasing cooling technology with pressure – such as when your cat lies on it. If you are considering getting a cooling mat, ask your family veterinarian for advice on which brands they would recommend for your cat.
10. Use the Basement
Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, so if your basement is pet-proofed, let your cat go there during the day. Bonus points if your basement has a bathroom or room with tiles – which are cooler than carpets or wooden floors.
Important Reminder
DO NOT leave your cat, or any pet, in the car on a warm day. If you have a vet appointment and need to run other errands, bring your cat home instead of making them wait in the car. On a warm day, a car acts like an oven and the temperature inside the car will get hotter than the temperature outside the car. On a 78° day, after 30 minutes, the inside of the car will be 120°. Parking in the shade or “cracking the windows” doesn’t make a difference. Leaving the car running with the AC on can be a good solution, but engines can stall, and then your pet is in trouble. Nothing is worth the risk of potentially endangering your pet.
We hope these tips help keep your cat safe and cool this summer! If your cat does experience signs of overheating or a heatstroke, contact the local animal emergency hospital right away. Always call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team can prepare for your pet’s case and jump into action as soon as you arrive.
More Reading:
- Summer Heat Risks for Pets
- What to Do if Your Pet is Overheated
- Parasite Prevention for Cats
- 7 Reasons to Immediately Bring Your Cat to the ER
- Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats
