
Cats love
the warm weather. You’ll find them basking in the sun spots and then chilling on
the kitchen tiles some time later. They’re pretty good at keeping cool, (they’re
cats after all) but there are a few ways you can help.
- Keep
your cats indoors during midday when the sun is at its strongest. Usually this
is between 10am and 3pm.
- Close
curtains and blinds in order to create a cool environment inside the home. Open the windows to benefit from draughts but
keep them closed if it’s hotter outside than it is in the home.
- Let
your cats sleep where they want to. This might be in the middle of your kitchen
or even in your bath tub! If they find a cold spot they may wish to lay there
for a while and it’s best to let them be.
- Ensure
they have access to cool water throughout the day. Place bowls of water in the
garden, the catio and anywhere your cat
may be spending time and at risk of being shut in.
- Cats
do pant like dogs when it gets hot. You don’t have to worry about this unless
it’s excessive panting.
- Don’t
panic if your cat isn’t as active as usual. Cats will often sleep more when the
temperatures rise. This is good news as
it stops them from overheating from exercising in the sunshine.
- Check
your cat’s feet. If they are sweating from their paws it means they are pretty
hot. Check they have access to some cool water.
- You
may need to apply cat sunscreen on the nose and ears of cats if they are pale.
The sunscreen needs to be pet friendly so it doesn’t harm your pet. Ask your
vet if you’re concerned.
Don’t
forget to keep an eye out for any symptoms of heatstroke in cats. The symptoms
are the same as in dogs and they include:
- Red
gums and or tongue
- Lethargy
- Extreme
salivation
- Heavy
panting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Falling
unconscious
- Inability
to get up after collapsing
Take your
cat to the vets if you notice any of these symptoms.