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Originally, cats are desert animals, so they are not very sensitive to high temperatures in summer. However, the times when they roamed the sand and chased their prey between rocks are over. During the hot summer months, it’s often human errors that can be dangerous for our cats. Today, our veterinary practitioner explains what you should be aware of, so your cat can enjoy the summer weather just like you do.
Heat-related problems in cats
Although cats are relatively tough when it comes to heat, the sun can be dangerous for them on hot summer days. Watch out for the following problems:
Sunburn
Despite the protection by their fur, some cats suffer from sunburn on their ears or other areas of the face that are not very hairy in the summer when the sun is strong. White or very light-coloured cats are particularly affected.
Heat Stroke and Dehydration
If your cat is exposed to the sun for too long, they can overheat, often caused by fluid deficiency. Here are the symptoms of heat stroke: your cat is restless, has an increased heartbeat, is short of breath and, in addition to dark red gums, has an excessively high body temperature. If there are signs, bring the cat out of the sun to a shady spot and rub them gently with a cool, damp cloth. If you are unsure or the signs are strong, see a veterinarian - because in the worst case, a heat stroke can be fatal.
Cold or Conjunctivitis
In addition to drafts from open windows, which are supposed to cool us down in summer, fans and air conditioning systems also cause conjunctivitis and colds in cats.
How do I support my cat during the summer?
Even if cats manage very well on their own, they still depend on our support when living with people. Here are some tips on how to make your cat's summer as pleasant as possible:
- Sources of water can be playgrounds
To prevent dehydration, your cat should drink a lot during summer. Whether fresh or stale water, it is most important that it is clean. Unfortunately, most cats are afraid of water. But there are certainly ways to encourage your four-legged friend to drink at the fountain, at the water bowl, at the pond or from the watering can. Cats react best to water when they feel it's a game. That is why every form of running water makes sense.
In addition, the ordinary drinking bowl of your house tiger can be made into a playground by adding a few things: try adding ice cubes or ping pong balls. Many cats find water much more interesting when something is floating in it. This way, your cat gets both activity and cooling. You can also try placing several drinking bowls in the living area or garden. This increases the chances that the cat will ingest fluid several times. If your darling still drinks too little, you can also upgrade the water. How about some fresh chicken broth?
- Additional supply of liquid through wet food
To cover your cat's water needs in summer, try AniForte Natural Wet Food. Make sure to keep it covered in the fridge after consumption and take it out about fifteen minutes before feeding. Wet food can spoil quickly at high temperatures. But it has around seventy percent moisture, while dry food only has about ten percent. Just like us humans, cats use less energy in summer and become sluggish. So the food should be easily digestible and should be divided into several small meals rather than one large one.
- Minimise man-made dangers
In the garden, don’t just keep an eye on your grill. The pool or pond is also not safe unless it has a low exit or a cat-proof fence. Cats can be poisoned by ingesting pesticides, snail grain for example. Simply use natural pesticides or trust that many pests will be eaten by your cat anyway.
- Provide additional cooling
When it gets warm, your cat will groom herself to cool off through the evaporative cold of the saliva. You can support this effect by moistening a wash cloth on particularly hot days and stroking the cat’s fur with it.
- Think about sun protection for the cat's skin
Bright cats in particular can get sunburned. You can prevent this by sunscreening your cat on vulnerable areas like ears and nose. It is best to use a mild product that contains no parabens, preservatives, colors or fragrances.
- Prevent parasites and do not forget about grooming
In summer, your cat's risk of parasites increases. It helps to protect your four-legged friend with appropriate precautions like AniForte Ectoprotex. In order to detect a possible infestation with ticks or other insects at an early stage, brush the cat regularly. By doing that, you also remove any loose fur and create more breathing opportunities for their heated skin.
- Provide shady places to rest
Make sure your cat can retreat on hot days. Cats prefer to lie between plants, which you can encourage by planting cat grass or catnip. But be careful, many of our common garden plants are poisonous for cats. Read more here. Indoors, don’t rely on drafts to cool the cat. It is also better not to place fans near your cat's resting place. In contrast, cool tiles are very popular. Lower the blinds during the day to keep your home cooler. If you want to open the windows but have a house cat, you should consider attaching nets.
Cats are easy-going summer animals, but still appreciate any additional cooling. We hope you’ll try some of our tips, and we wish you and your cat lots of summer fun!
