Keep Your Cats Cool in the Summer: Essential Tips for Feline Heat Management

Staying cool during the summer is hard enough when you’re a human—now imagine you’re covered in a fur coat 24/7—it would be even harder, right? Part of taking care of a cat is making sure their temperature is comfortable.

Having air conditioning is the best method, but not everyone can afford AC, and even if you do have it, it can still break. So, it’s important to know how to keep your cats cool without AC.

Ventilation, hydration, and textiles all play a part in keeping your cat cool. I have four cats, and my house can get very hot in the summer, so I’ve learned a few tips and tricks I’d like to share that can help keep your kitties cool.

How to Keep Cats Cool in the Summer Without AC

Measurement

If you’re serious about keeping your cat comfortable, it’s worth investing in a thermometer so you can know exactly what the temperature in your home is. I suggest buying a wall-mounted digital thermometer and placing it in the room where your cat spends the most time. Humans are most comfortable around 20 C (68 F), and cats are most comfortable around 30 C (86 F). So, you should aim for an ambient temperature of between 20 and 30 C to keep both you and your cat happy. 

Space

The first step is to properly take account of the space you and your cats are living in. Which side of the house does the sun rise and set? Which areas have shade at different times of the day? Having a good grasp of the space you are dealing with can help make other decisions much easier. 

Shade

Ensure that your cats have areas of shade that they can sit in at all times of the day. The worst room possible for a cat would be a glass conservatory, as there would be no shade available. On the other hand, keeping your cat in a completely dark room all day is also not good for them. So, striking a balance between areas of light and shade is a good idea. One of my cats loves to sit in the shaded area but stretches one of his paws out into the sunlight! 

Ventilation

Fresh air has a lot of benefits, not least of which is helping your cat stay cool. Make sure that you are keeping windows (or even doors) open during hot weather to maintain airflow in the house. This will help reduce the temperature in your home, which will be beneficial for your cat and you. 

Use cooling products for cats

There are several cooling products available that can help your cats regulate their temperature. The one I have found to be most successful for my cats is a cooling mat. These are small mats (about a square foot) that you place in the refrigerator overnight and then take out when you need to use them. They are filled with a gel that stays cool much longer than a cloth mat or towel would. 

Hydration

Dehydration is one of the biggest risks of high temperatures. You should make sure that your cats have access to water when they need it. You should also make sure that you replace their water every day, as cats will refuse to drink stale or unclean water even if they are thirsty. Some cats will only drink running water. While most of my cats are fine with drinking water from a bowl, one of my cats absolutely refuses, so I had to buy a small, mains-powered water fountain for him to drink from. 

Can Cats Get Heat Stroke? 

While cats can withstand higher temperatures than humans can (they were originally desert animals after all), they can still suffer from heat stroke in very high temperatures. 

Cats don’t sweat, so they mainly regulate their heat through panting and through the pads in their feet. Cats with pre-existing health conditions and cats that are overweight are more vulnerable to heat stroke. Kittens and elderly cats are also at higher risk. 

It’s important for cat owners to be aware of the risks of heat stroke and the symptoms to look out for. Common symptoms include… 

1. Excessive panting: Cats pant when they are overheated. If your cat seems to be panting very heavily or for an extended period, this can be a sign that it is suffering from heat stroke. 

2. Drooling: Cats usually only drool when they are about to eat or when they are purring and being fussed over. If your cat is drooling without either of these being the case, it can be a sign of heat stroke. 

3. Lethargy: If your cat is usually active but is acting sluggish or tired in the heat, this can be a sign of heat stroke. 

4. Vomiting or diarrhoea: Any gastrointestinal symptoms in your cat should be cause for concern. It can be associated with heat stroke but also other factors like poisoning or hairballs. 

5. Body temperature: A cat’s optimal body temperature is around 38.3-39.2°C (101-102.5°F). If your cat’s temperature is above this, try to help it cool down. 

What To Do If You Think Your Cat Has Heat Stroke 

If you’re worried that your cat might be suffering from heat stroke, there are some steps you can take right away to help them cool down. 

1. Move them to a cooler environment: Move your cat to the coolest room in the house and make sure they are in the shade. 

2. Offer water: Bring fresh, cool (not cold) water and offer it to them. Ice water can constrict their blood vessels and make the symptoms work; regular cool water from the tap is fine. Cats prefer to drink from low-rimmed, flat bowls so that their whiskers don’t get irritated while they drink. 

3. Use fans or air conditioning: If you have air conditioning, switch it on and set it to a low temperature. If you don’t have AC, use a fan to blow cool air in your cat’s direction. Some cats get scared by fans, so it’s better not to point it directly at your cat but instead to point it in their general direction. 

4. Contact a veterinarian: If your cat is refusing water and its temperature is not going down, you should take it to a vet immediately. Even if your cat recovers, you should still make an appointment to see a vet soon to make sure there are no lingering effects. 

Do Cats Eat Less in Hot Weather? 

Like humans, cats often have a reduced appetite during hot weather and an increased appetite during cold weather. While this is nothing to worry about, if your cat is refusing food completely, it can be a sign that something is wrong.

One tip I‘ve found useful with my cats is to change their feeding schedule during periods of warm weather. When it’s hot, rather than feed them during the day, I’ll feed them after dark when the temperature has dropped a little. I find that this helps my cats get their appetite back and ensures that they are still getting enough food even if they are eating it at a different time than usual. 

What to Feed Cats in Hot Weather  

If your cats normally eat dry food like biscuits, you might want to switch to entirely wet food during hot weather. Dry food can be dehydrating, while wet cat food provides hydration as well as calories for your cat. 

Wet treats like Cat Yogurt (which is really more of a pâté) can also help to keep your cat hydrated, compared to dry treats like Dreamies. 

Final Thoughts: How To Keep Your Cat Cool

Hopefully, you now know the heat stroke symptoms to watch out for and have a few strategies to keep your cat cool. Remember that it’s our responsibility to look after our cats as best we can, and that includes helping them stay at the right temperature. Your cat relies on you to look out for signs that it’s struggling with the heat and to take steps to help it. 
 
Remember to keep air circulating, have fresh water available for your cat, and act swiftly if you think something is wrong. A cool cat is a happy cat.