How to Keep Outdoor Cats Cool in Hot Weather (21 Tips)

Cats are creatures of habit, and they often don’t like changes to their routine. That means if you change the temperature in your house, your cat may get a little upset.

As summer approaches, outdoor cats can feel hotter, less energetic, and suffer from heatstroke. This can result in a visit to the emergency room, which is a huge financial burden.

Here’s a quick overview of how cats produce body heat, how to prevent their overheating and help them stay comfortable during hot summer days.

Feline Behavior and Biology in Hot Weather

The evaporation of panting is another method that cats dissipate heat from their bodies.

Unbelievably, a cat’s hair also aids in cooling.

What’s this? Did you think it was just for warmth in the winter? Nope!

In hot weather, the insulation provided by a cat’s (or dog’s) fur keeps the animal from overheating.

In the winter, a cat’s thick undercoat is what keeps it warm in the frigid air. You may notice that your cats’ coats get a little thicker or fluffier in the winter because they need to protect themselves from the frigid weather. Cats shed their thick undercoat in the summer.

How do cats cool themselves?

There are several ways that cats keep themselves cool.

The first method is to lay down on a cool surface, such as a cellar floor or bathroom tile. Conduction is the name given to this process of cooling, by the way. When they lie on cool surfaces, they’re effectively moving heat away from themselves.

When they come into touch with colder water or air, known as convection, they are able to cool themselves down. Swimming in the pool or having a fan trained on them causes this. The cold water or air acts as a conduit for the body’s heat to escape.

The evaporation of panting is another method that cats dissipate heat from their bodies.

Unbelievably, a cat’s hair also aids in cooling.

What’s this? Did you think it was just for warmth in the winter? Nope!

In hot weather, the insulation provided by a cat’s (or dog’s) fur keeps the animal from overheating.

In the winter, a cat’s thick undercoat is what keeps it warm in the frigid air. You may notice that your cats’ coats get a little thicker or fluffier in the winter because they need to protect themselves from the frigid weather. Cats shed their thick undercoat in the summer.

As long as the heat isn’t too intense, the summer outer-coat is actually the best option for dealing with it. And that’s why removing your pet’s fur in the heat of the season may be a bad idea If you shave a cat in the heat, it might actually make them hotter. Isn’t it crazy? To top it all off, their fur acts as a natural barrier against the sun and other harmful elements.

It is best not to shave your dog or cat, except for the Persian or other thick-coated breeds. Before you shave your cat to keep him warm, it’s a good idea to see your veterinarian.)

Can Cats Get Too Hot?

Definitely! When it comes to overheating, cats are no different from people. Cats, on the other hand, are less susceptible to heat exhaustion or a heat stroke than dogs. Why? Because cats aren’t commonly taken for a stroll or a ride in a car.

Cats are also quite concerned with their own well-being, and as a result, they are always looking for new ways to keep themselves cool. A cat’s ability to escape it in most circumstances is due to their intelligence.

If an outdoor cat is mistakenly trapped in a dryer (or another “oven-type” building”) or is forced to run in the midsummer day heat, they might become unwell from the heat.

Cats with thick hair or squishy faces, as well as those that are obese or have health issues with their lungs or hearts, are more likely to succumb to heat exhaustion.

Let’s take a look at what happens to cats when they’re overheated.

Symptoms of Overheating in Cats:

• Excessive Panting
• Intense heartbeat
• Dehydration
• Dilated pupils
• In the litter box, there is little to no urine.
• There are glands in the foot of cats that cause them to perspire, but they do not perspire in order to cool down.
• Disorientation
• Stretched out on the ground, flat on my back.
• Vomiting
• Restlessness
• Lethargy
• drooling or saliva that is sticky or thick
• The tongue/mouth is bright crimson in color.
• Temperatures are above 105°F (40.5°C) in the rectum.
• Seizures
• Coma \sDeath

You may not know, but heatstroke can be deadly for both cats and humans, so it’s crucial to keep your pets cool in the summer.

21 Tips on How to Keep Outdoor Cats Cool in Hot Weather

1. Icy cool-down

You should already know that cats don’t sweat and that they require a lot of water to chill off. Sometimes, when it is sweltering, the cold tap water or even chilled water is not enough. The water warms up five minutes after you poured it into the bowl.

If you can, check the temperature of the water every couple of hours. If it feels heated, drop a few of ice cubes inside. Your kitten will adore you even more than before.

2. Provide some shade

Cats generally sleep and chill out throughout the day due of the heat, which is why you need to give it with a secure and cool location. Put several chairs or a bench on the porch and provide enough area for the cat to go beneath it. That will provide your cat a place to hide from the sun, and the moving air will chill her down even more.

3. Time for a new haircut?

If you own a cat that has lengthy fur, try giving it a new haircut. The typical lion cut is totally acceptable, but not if your cat is white or light colored. These cats also have light skin which might easily lead to sunburn if you cut the fur too short.

Before you decide on taking this step, chat to your vet, and he will advise you what to do. If you believe that that’s too much bother, just take your cat to the local pet dresser to do it for you. Another alternative is to shave only the cat’s stomach. That cools her down, and she is shaded from the sun as well.

4. Get a small fan for your cat

Investing in a tiny cat fan might have a significant impact on your cat’s health. The best place to put it is on the ground or in a place where the cat likes to lounge about. Having the chilly air flow through her fur will help her stay cool.

A few of frozen bottles can be placed in front of the fan to further chill the air.

5. Cool your cat down with a wet cloth

Just like us, cats can chill off with a damp towel too. You may also use a paper towel or any other sort of fabric and soak it in water. Squeeze as much water out of it before you massage your kitten.

Cats don’t mind a little water on their hair on warm days because brushing is their way of cooling themselves naturally. Water isn’t an issue as long as it cools them down.

6. Don’t use cooling gel packs

Cooling gel packs are fantastic for people and are completely harmless, but cats may be poisoned by them. Plastic bags are readily punctured by pets, and gel ingested might have significant implications for your pet.

7. Let the cat inside

It’s a good idea to let your cat inside the home when the weather outside is intolerable. Make sure she can cool off in a corridor or restroom rather than having to open every door for her.

The garage or another area with a roof might be a good place for her if you still don’t want to let her in. Even if she overheated, a few simple suggestions will help her recover quickly.

8. Set a new playtime

Cats are gregarious creatures who expect to be petted and played with on a daily basis. Cats will always like chasing the mouse, but it is a wonderful workout that can quickly cause them to overheat on a hot summer day. When it grows dark and the temperature lowers, postpone your child’s playtime until after dark.

9. Never leave your cat in a warm place with no air circulation

Cars, sheds, greenhouses, and any other enclosed space with no windows or airflow are all included in this category. Cats pant and slobber when the temperature soars to above 100 degrees in certain locations. They’ll be unconscious in ten minutes. Take her to the nearest veterinarian immediately if this occurs.

10. Drinking Water is Vital

The most important approach to aid cats in hot weather is to always, always, ALWAYS make sure your pet or cat colony gets fresh, cold water to drink. Feel free to add ice cubes to it and replace it numerous times a day.

11. Don’t Walk Your Cats During the Hottest Part of the Day

Keep in mind that if you use a harness to walk your cat, it’s best not to walk it during the warmest portion of the day. If you can, try to walk your cats in the early morning or late at night.

12. Brushing

Brush them, especially if they’re long-haired cats, because matted fur is unbearable to the touch.

13. Keep Cats Out of Hot Buildings

Cats should not be allowed to roam around tiny sheds, greenhouses, etc. Before you put a stop to the noise, be sure there aren’t any cats in the house.

14. Keep Kitties Calm

If a cat is forced to work out in the heat of the day, it will suffer from heat exhaustion. This explains why cats are less active throughout the day in the midst of summer. During the warmest portion of the day, most of them seek for shady spots to rest their heads.

15. Avoid Car Rides

Always make sure your cat is never left alone in a car while it is hot outside, not even for a few minutes.

16. Dampen Your Cat’s Fur

Spraying your cat or stray cats isn’t a good idea! They’re not happy about it. In order to keep their bodies cool, dampen their fur with a wet towel. Their bellies in particular. Your cat doesn’t need to get wet to be happy. On really hot days, even a small amount of moisture may go a long way.

To cool down feral cats, you should not spray them with water, as it may erode their confidence in you and drive them to flee, which is counterproductive.

17. Chicken Broth Flavored Ice Cubes

It doesn’t matter if you put it in their drink or let them play with it or lick it off a tile floor. When you don’t have air conditioning, it’s a great way to keep kids cool indoors.

Feral and barn cats will drink more water if you give them chicken-flavored ice cubes, which will keep them cooler.

Alternatively, you could use use beef-flavored ice cubes

18. Homemade Ice Packs

Place frozen plastic water bottles (or anything else comes to mind) in the cat’s favorite hangout spot.

19. Keep Hairless or White-Haired Cats Out of the Sun

White-haired and hairless cats, as well as those with pale skin tones, are more susceptible to sunburn.

It IS possible to purchase pet sunscreen. However, as there is no sunscreen for cats on the market in the United States at the moment, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Consult a veterinarian before using human sunscreen, as many of them include a chemical that is harmful to cats and dogs.

20. Feed Wet Food

Kittens are adapted to obtaining moisture not just from drinking water, but also from the food they ingest. To put it another way, if you offer your cats wet food, they will be more likely to keep hydrated. Cats might suffer from heat-related ailments if they don’t stay hydrated.

The fact that you may get more nutrition from wet food than dry food, regardless of the brand, is an added benefit. You should supplement their dry diet with wet food at least once or twice a day.

21. Pay Attention

Keep an eye out for the signs of heat stroke in cats and be sure to keep an eye on them if they start to feel overheated.

In most cases, cats are able to regulate their body temperature on their own, but if any signs of heatstroke are observed, call your veterinarian right once.

22. Check out the cooling mats

They’re available as gel filled or water filled and give a cool spot for your cat to sleep. There are numerous of styles and sizes.

23. Invest in a fountain

Pet fountains are a terrific method to keep your cat’s water cold and to encourage your cat to drink more water.

24. A sink nap, anyone?

See whether your cat would like to relax in an unexpected spot. Some cats prefer to like on cool locations like bathtubs, tile floors, the top of the dryer, etc. pretty much anything metal or tile seems to appeal to them.

Conclusion

How to Keep Outdoor Cats Cool in Hot Weather? the answer is to use a heat mat that keeps your cat cool. I also suggest keeping a bowl of water nearby for your feline friend.

He’ll love to drink some fresh, cool water. Make sure that the bowl is large enough for your cat to drink from, but small enough for your cat to easily reach.

source https://catshint.com/how-to-keep-outdoor-cats-cool-in-hot-weather/