Keeping Your Outdoor Cat Cool in the Summer Heat

The hot, muggy days of summer might be referred to as the 'dog days,' but we must not forget about cats this time of year. Responsible pet owners need to make sure their furry, feline friends stay cool and comfortable as the mercury begins to climb.

Keeping Your Outdoor Cat Cool
If your cat is in an indoor/outdoor cat, keep it inside during the hottest hours of the day. Bring it inside by 10:00 A.M. and do not let it out again until after 4:00 P.M.

Outdoor cats need to be provided with plenty of cool water during the hot days. Place several dishes of water where they are out of the sun and easily accessible. Giving your cat extra bowls will prevent it from running out of water due to frequent drinking or accidentally knocking one over. Keep an eye on the bowls and refresh the water often. If you will be gone for several hours, plan ahead by freezing the water for a couple of the bowls first. If your cat will drink it, add some Gatorade to the water to help keep electrolyte levels high.

Ice cubes can be a nice treat for an outdoor cat. Let your cat lick and play with an ice cube as a toy. Toss a few ice cubes into its water dishes now and then. Floating ice cubes will intrigue you cat and lure it into drinking more.

Make sure outdoor cats have access to shady areas. Do not tether your outdoor cat during hot days. While the area in which the cat is tethered may start out shady, the shifting sun can turn it into a full sun location later in the day. Do not keep your cat confined to an area where it is on concrete or asphalt. Give your outdoor cat the freedom to find the coolest spot possible on its own.

There are differing opinions as to whether longhaired cats should be shaved or not during the summer. Exposing the skin to sunlight can lead to sunburns and skin cancer in cats. Seek the advice of your vet before shaving your animal. An appropriate alternative is to have your longhaired cat's fur trimmed. Both shorthaired and longhaired cats should be brushed and groomed on a regular basis to remove excess hair and allow air to freely flow through their fur.

If your outdoor cat will allow you to get it wet, do so. Give it a bath or spray it with a squirt bottle. If your cat is not too keen on being fully wet, run a damp towel over its fur and dip its paws in cool water. Do it slowly the first few times and the cat will eventually get used to it. At the very least, pet your cat with a wet hand or while wearing a wet glove.

Know the Signs of an Overheated Cat
Despite all your good efforts, it is still possible your outdoor cat will become overheated. Watch your cat closely and take action to cool it down as quickly as possible if it appears to be too hot. Check your cat for dehydration by gently pinching the scruff of the neck and letting go. If the scruff stays upright instead of sliding back into position, your cat is becoming dehydrated. Try to get your cat to drink by putting a bowl in front of it and rubbing a wet finger across its lips. If the cat will not drink, use an eyedropper or syringe to get water into its mouth. Do not shoot water down its throat, as your cat can choke or the fluid can end up in its lungs. Mix some Gatorade in with the water to help bring electrolyte levels back to normal.

Cats can move from being overheated into heat stroke very quickly. Signs of heat stroke include:
Panting
Rapid breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Bright red or dark red gums
Anxiety, possibly shown in the form of pacing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Disorientation
Unresponsiveness

If your cat is showing any of the signs of heat stroke, wrap it in a cool, wet towel and immediately take it to your veterinarian.