Keeping Your Cat Cool in Summer: Tips Every Pet Parent Should Know
Whether your cat has long fur or short, summer heat can be tough on them. Long-haired cats, in particular, tend to struggle more with rising temperatures. While cats do have sweat glands, they’re not very efficient at cooling them down. On especially hot days, you might notice your cat licking their fur more than usual—this is their way of trying to cool off by letting saliva evaporate from their coat.
Though clever, this natural cooling method isn’t very effective. That’s where you come in. As a responsible pet parent, it's important to take a few extra steps to help your feline friend stay comfortable and safe during the summer months.
1. Create a Cooler Living Space
Relocate your cat’s bed or favorite resting spot to a shaded, sun-free area. Ventilation is key—make sure there’s plenty of airflow so your cat can feel fresh and relaxed in their new cozy corner. A well-ventilated, shaded space can make a huge difference in helping them beat the heat.
2. Add a Cooling Mat to Their Bed
If your home is carpeted or you’re not running the air conditioner all day, consider placing a pet cooling mat where your cat sleeps. These mats use physical cooling to help regulate body temperature and can make your cat feel like they’re napping in an air-conditioned room. It’s a summer must-have for many pet households!
3. Always Provide Fresh Water
Cats need more hydration during hot weather, so make sure fresh water is always available. Replace the water every day—or better yet, every two days at most—to avoid bacterial growth caused by saliva buildup, especially in warm conditions. If you're worried you might forget, an automatic water dispenser can ensure your cat always has access to clean, fresh water throughout the day.
4. Consider a Little Grooming
If you have a long-haired cat, giving their fur a slight trim or thinning it out in the summer can help. You can also carefully trim the fur around their paw pads to allow better heat release. However, avoid shaving your cat completely—doing so can actually make them more vulnerable to heat and sun exposure. Like dogs, cats primarily cool down through their tongues and paw pads, so removing all their fur won’t help much and may even cause stress. A damp paw pad? That’s just your kitty sweating!
5. Adjust Their Diet
You might notice your cat eating less during the summer—that’s normal. Try switching to wet food to help them stay hydrated and keep their appetite up. Reduce foods that are high in sugar or starch, as these can turn into body heat. And don’t forget: wet food spoils quickly in the heat. If your cat doesn’t eat it right away, make sure to clean it up promptly to avoid bacterial buildup.