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Cats in summer
Tips and tricks for cooling off your cat
Cats and the summer heat
Cats love warmth and summer. They like to lie in the sun - whether outside or in a sunny spot on the windowsill. But when the temperature is around 30 degrees and above, it can be too much even for the cats under their fluffy fur. Regardless of whether you have an outdoor cat or a house cat, there are a few things to keep in mind in summer to prevent health problems from occurring in the first place.
How much heat can cats tolerate?
Even today, we notice that the cat's ancestors were steppe dwellers. In spring or summer they loll in the sun, in the colder months they also like to sit near heaters and stoves. Because even nowadays our furry friends still like it cosy and warm. Generally, the body temperature of cats ranges between 36.7°C and 38.9°C. When they are wrestling or playing with other cats, the temperature can also rise slightly. And also in situations that trigger stress or discomfort - such as a visit to the vet - the body temperature can briefly rise to over 39°C. When the animals calm down again, the temperature drops again. That's why the comfort temperature of a healthy cat is often above the 30 degree mark! However, if the temperature exceeds a certain point (from 35°C), this can quickly turn into the opposite.
Can cats sweat?
Even today, we notice that the cat's ancestors were steppe dwellers. In spring or summer they loll in the sun, in the colder months they also like to sit near heaters and stoves. Because even nowadays our furry friends still like it cosy and warm. Generally, the body temperature of cats ranges between 36.7°C and 38.9°C. When they are wrestling or playing with other cats, the temperature can also rise slightly. And also in situations that trigger stress or discomfort - such as a visit to the vet - the body temperature can briefly rise to over 39°C. When the animals calm down again, the temperature drops again. That's why the comfort temperature of a healthy cat is often above the 30 degree mark! However, if the temperature exceeds a certain point (from 35°C), this can quickly turn into the opposite.
How do cats react to heat?
In high temperatures, cats start to pant. The breathing movement and the evaporating saliva cool the cats down. However, the cats often lick their fur to provide additional cooling for the body through evaporative cooling. They also try to avoid any unnecessary movement - they sleep and rest more and become really sluggish when it gets extremely hot outside. Especially then, the furry felines like to look for a darkened room to cool down, loll on cooling stone slabs or even crawl into the shower or bathtub in the bathroom.
In high temperatures, cats start to pant.
When does heat become dangerous for cats?
It becomes dangerous when it gets so hot outside that the cats are at risk of heatstroke. And this can also be life-threatening for four-legged friends. Because of the increased panting in summer, the cats lose additional fluid and the body's temperature rises somewhat. If kitty does not get some cooling, this has severe consequences and the circulation breaks down: the animal collapses.
Before it gets that far, however, the cat gives some warning signs:
- The oral mucosa is darker than usual
- The cat is excited
- The heart beats faster than usual
- The cat is short of breath
Other signs include apathy, seizures and shortness of breath. If this is the case, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
However, when transporting your pet, make sure that this is as unstressful as possible for your furry friend, especially in summer. Car and train journeys are most pleasant for your four-legged friend in the early morning hours or in the evening. A built-in air conditioner brings some relaxation not only to the driver, but also to the kitty. However, this should not be pointed directly at the transport box, as the cat could otherwise catch a cold or conjunctivitis. The same applies to draughts that can be caused by open windows.
Under no circumstances should you leave the cat alone in the car - not even for a few minutes. After only a short time, the temperature in the car rises to a life-threatening number of degrees; and even slightly open windows or a shady parking space do not help to lower the temperature in the car.
It is better to transport cats in the cooler morning or evening hours.
Other problems cats can have in the heat
In addition to heat stroke, there are other problems that can affect furry friends in high temperatures.
Sunburn
Although your cat's body is covered with fur, even a cat can get sunburned if it is exposed to the blazing sun for too long. This is not only unpleasant, but can - as in humans - in the worst case become the trigger for skin cancer. Light-coloured and short-haired cats are particularly susceptible to sunburn. The bridge of the nose and the ears are often affected in furry friends. To prevent sunburn, you can apply baby sunscreen to these areas. When choosing sunscreen, make sure it is free of additives (such as perfume) and preservatives. This is because the cat can easily ingest them by licking the muzzle.
Dehydration
Cats - like us humans - need more to drink on hot days. Otherwise there is a risk of dehydration. Therefore, provide enough water bowls in different places and refill water regularly, as it evaporates more quickly in high temperatures.
Colds or conjunctivitis caused by fans and air conditioners
A fan or an air conditioner may provide people with some cooling on hot summer days, but unfortunately it does no good for the furry friend; the draught is more likely to harm the kitty. This is because the cat can catch conjunctivitis or colds. Therefore, make sure that you direct the fan so that it does not blow on the cat's favourite places - such as the window sill or the scratching post. But not only the draught can harm the furry friend. Particularly sensitive cats also react to the noise of air conditioners or fans. This can become unpleasant for them in the long run.
Tick bites
Ticks are also active in summer. That is why, if you have a free-roaming cat, you should regularly check your four-legged friend for parasites. You can find more information on this topic in our guide "Ticks in cats".
Which food is suitable in summer?
As with most other creatures, activity levels in cats are lower than usual in summer. Therefore, you should also adjust the cat's food intake in hot temperatures. This is because cats generally need less food than normal in hot temperatures, as they also consume fewer calories during this time. Therefore, it is advisable to offer the food in several smaller portions throughout the day. Smaller portions not only support the metabolism, but also the cat's circulation, especially in summer.
Be especially careful with wet food. If this is left in the bowl for a while, especially at high temperatures, it can spoil quickly and attract flies. Especially with reduced food intake, you should make sure that the food is of high quality so that the cat is still supplied with all the important nutrients.
How much water does the cat need in summer?
Almost more important than a full food bowl in summer is that the cat also drinks. As a rule of thumb, cats should consume 50ml of water per kilogram of body weight. An average cat thus drinks about 200ml of water per day. A cat does not drink this amount all at once, but spreads it out over the day. If your cat gets wet food, then a small part of the water requirement is already covered by this.
On hot days, the demand is generally higher. Therefore, cats should be encouraged to drink more, especially in summer. Cats love running water. You can provide this with an electric drinking fountain. Also generally offer several bowls placed in different places. This way the cat has the possibility to drink everywhere.
But be careful: never offer the water cold as this can irritate the stomach.
Cats love running water.
Tips to help your cat stay cool
To ensure that your furry friend gets through the summer in good shape, there are a few things to bear in mind. Especially indoor cats are dependent on their owners during this time. After all, unlike free-range cats, they cannot look for a shady spot themselves. But there are also a few things to keep in mind for animals with free movement.
Provide a cool, shady spot
Cats need a cool retreat in the summer. Outdoor cats have more advantages, of course. Not only can they decide for themselves which place is most comfortable, but they usually also have a wider choice than indoor cats. Because if it's too hot for them inside, they look for a shady and cool retreat outside.
Especially in small flats, heat builds up quickly. Therefore, they should close all curtains and shutters during the day and only ventilate in the evening. However, be careful with tilted windows. The house cat might not only try to break out, but could suffer severe bruising in the process. If the cat is stuck and tries to free itself, it slides further and further down - this can lead to an interruption of the blood supply at the pressure point and the cat thus suffers neurological damage, which sooner or later leads to death. Therefore, never leave tilted windows unattended.
When temperatures are high, cats like to lie down on cold floors and surfaces, such as stone floors or tiles, or even in the bathtub or sink. If your cat accepts it, you can also try a cooling mat. This way, you can provide your kitty with some cooling without additional cooling (by water, electricity or the freezer), because the mat produces a cooling effect through body contact alone.
When temperatures are high, cats like to retreat to the cool bathroom.
You should also exercise caution with conservatories. These can dangerously overheat in hot weather. Close off these areas unless they are well ventilated.
Secure balcony for flat cats
If the cat has a balcony at its disposal, you can set up a shady spot there for your furry friend. This gives your four-legged friend, who may not otherwise have any outdoor access, the opportunity to get out into the fresh air. However, make sure that the balcony is also sufficiently protected for your furry friend. You can find out how to cat-proof your balcony in our guide "Secured outdoor access for cats".
The balcony should be sufficiently secured for your cat.
Matching movement to temperatures
For free-rangers, the early morning and late evening hours are suitable for foraging during the summertime. During the hot midday period, the four-legged friends should stay at home, as the risk of overheating or getting sunburn is very high then. If you have installed a cat flap so that the outdoor cat can return to the house at any time or find a cooler place for itself, then the cat will take care of this all by itself.
Especially at lunchtime, you should also refrain from trying to exercise your cat. It's better to move these play sessions to the cooler evening hours, when your cat's circulation is less strained.
Moisten the coat and cool it down
Unlike humans, cats are not cooled by their sweat glands, but by panting and licking their fur. The evaporation of saliva gives them a little cooling.
You can increase the evaporation effect by licking the fur by moistening the fur of your cat a little yourself. Of course, you should only do this if your furry friend finds it pleasant. To do this, take a damp flannel and run it over your furry friend's coat several times. Especially on the back and head, stroking with a damp cloth is often gratefully accepted. A nice side effect: if the coat is already moistened, the cat will have to groom itself less and will therefore also lose less fluid through its saliva.
Support coat care
Forest cat breeds and other long-haired furry friends have a particularly hard time in summer. To ensure that the high temperatures are not uncomfortable for your cat, you can help it to groom its coat. You can find more information about this in our guide "Cat grooming".
To prevent the heat from becoming uncomfortable for long-haired cats, you can help them with their coat care.
You can offer long-haired cats soft cat grass in summer. This irritates the stomach lining of the furry friend and helps it to expel any hair it has swallowed. This also helps to avoid digestive problems.
Water games with the cat
Cats are not exactly known for liking water very much. In high summer, however, most furry friends like to play with the cool water. With a small jar and a few accessories, you can awaken the cat's hunting instinct and encourage it to play. For this you need a low casserole dish - filled with water, rinsed bottle tops and PLATINUM MeatCrisp. The treats are distributed in the bottle lids and then placed on the water for the furry friend. The cat can then fish out the crunchy snacks. As an alternative to the bottle tops, you can of course also fold small paper boats.
A few ice cubes or a couple of ping-pong balls in the water bowl also encourage the kitty to keep busy. This way, you can provide paddling fun and cooling with just a few resources.
In summer most cats like to play with the cool water.
A cold snack for the cat
When it gets hot in summer, we humans like to cool down with an ice cream. The frosty snack is also suitable - in moderation - for cats. A cat ice cream can be prepared with a few simple steps and licked afterwards without hesitation.
For this you need a portion of tuna (pickled in its own juice, not in oil), a blender and some water. Puree the tuna with a little water until the mixture is creamy. Then stir in some MeatCrisp, fill into ice cube moulds and put into the freezer until the ice cream mixture is frozen. Important: Make sure that the ice cream portion is not too big and that you don't give too much to eat at once.
Rest periods and lots of relaxation
In the warm summer months, the cats are not as active as usual and tend to withdraw. Instead of action and movement, it means rest phases and lots of relaxation for the cat. They prefer to laze around all day. More and longer than usual, they therefore doze or sleep in a quiet, shady place. Allow your four-legged friend these rest times and postpone all play and cuddle sessions to the cooler evening hours.
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