5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Comfortable During Summer

Regardless of their breed, all cats have a hard time dealing with excess heat. And as much as some of our pets might seem to love the warmth of the summer sun, they can end up suffering from health complications if they’re left in hot places for too long.

Here are a few tips on how you can make your cat feel more comfortable at ease for a more enjoyable time during summer.

How to Keep Your Cat Comfy in Summer

Fresh Water and Wet Food

One of the worst things when it comes to cats is that they don’t exactly drink a lot of water unlike their canine counterparts. When a dog feels that they’re too hot, they’ll go to their water bowl and drink for a good few minutes, however, this is rarely the case with a cat.

And because they don’t drink enough water, cats can quickly become victims of dehydration, especially during the hot season. This is why you should consider switching from a regular water bowl to a cat fountain -- this type of device keeps the water fresh, so it becomes much more appealing for any pet, even those that are less likely to drink a lot.

If your cat has nothing against it, you should also consider adding more canned food to their diet. Dry cat food doesn’t contain a high degree of moisture, so it does little in helping hydrate your pet. Try feeding your cat a pouch in the morning and one in the evening and leave some kibble for the whole day just so they have an alternative at their disposal.

Lower the Temperature

If you’re feeling worried about your cat’s comfort levels in the summer and the air outside is too hot, you can try to program your air conditioning to go on once every 2-3 hours just to make sure that the air circulating inside your house is significantly cooled down.

Take Safe Car Trips and Walks

If you have to take your cat to the vet, try to schedule an appointment early in the morning or late in the afternoon so that the heat isn’t scorching. On the other hand, if you need to take a long car trip with your cat, make sure you always keep them in a Foldable Pet Carrier that comes with plenty of ventilation and shade at the same time.

Since some cats are huge aficionados of walks, we suggest you take your pet out only when the weather is cool enough for it to be safe. Get a Soft Mesh Harness and a Retractable Lead and fit your cat with an ID Tag & Bell, and enjoy the quiet and chillness of a late-night walk in the park.

Keep Your Pet Well-Groomed

Whether you have a fluffy or long-haired feline or not, giving your cat a good trim will make it much easier for them to cope with the heat of summer.

The only downside is that not a lot of groomers accept giving haircuts to cats without sedating them. So, if you have a pet that’s older than 9-10 years old, you’ll have to look for a place that either performs mild sedation or doesn’t require one at all.

Having a grooming routine at home is also a great idea, even if your cat has recently had a trim. There’s some amount of shedding that can be minimised with regular brushing, and a handy tool for that purpose is the Rufus & Coco Self Cleaning Slicker Brush.

If your cat doesn’t like taking baths (and chances are, they don't), you can freshen up their coat with our Water Free Wash, a formula specially designed for pets that don’t like water at all. This dry shampoo can neutralise unpleasant odours and will leave your cat’s coat looking clean and dirt-free.

Use a Damp Washcloth or a Cooling Cat Mat

If your cat finds it uncomfortable for you to cool down their body with the use of a damp cloth, you can invest in a cooling mat instead. Also known as cooling beds, these products are typically filled with either a heat-absorbing gel or with water.

While some models can cool automatically, other mats can simply be kept in the refrigerator or even in the freezer for 20-30 minutes so that they get nice and cool before you offer them to your pet.

Final Thoughts

Even though keeping a cat cool and comfortable in the summer is a tad easier when compared to doing the same for a dog (since they tend to like spending time indoors), it can still be a little challenging if the temperature is sky-high.

Cats might also not respond as well when it comes to feeding them frozen treats, whether that be frozen tuna brine or chicken broth, which most cats don’t usually refuse when served warm or at least at room temperature.

But if you avoid leaving your cat to get into potentially tricky situations, whether that be spending hours upon hours on the balcony in direct sunlight or taking them out for a walk at noon, you’re likely to make your pet’s life easier in the warm season with just the tips we’ve mentioned in this article.