ps<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nTo help prevent your cat from overheating or experiencing <\/span>heat<\/span> stroke this summer, here are some <\/span>easy tips<\/span> that will help your cat stay cool!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n1. Fresh Water<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nJust like us, one of the best ways to keep our cats cool in hot weather is by staying hydrated with plenty of fresh, cool water. Your cat should always have access to a clean water dish (we recommend stainless steel or ceramic). If you are gone for longer periods of time during the day, you may also want to consider investing in a cat-specific water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBonus Tip: On extra hot days, put ice cubes in your cat\u2019s water dish to help keep the water cooler longer!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n2. Cool <\/span>Air<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nIf you <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> have <\/span>central <\/span>air conditioning, <\/span>consider<\/span> investing in a window AC unit or <\/span>utilize<\/span> ceiling fans and plug-in fans to <\/span>provide<\/span> better airflow throughout your home.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n3. Close the Blinds & Curtains<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nRooms are often cooler when the blinds and curtains are <\/span>closed,<\/span> and the sun\u2019s rays <\/span>can\u2019t<\/span> peek in. During warmer <\/span>times<\/span> of the day, clos<\/span>e<\/span> blinds and curtains to the living room, bedroom, or wherever your cat t<\/span>akes<\/span> afternoon naps.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"cats,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/4.png\")
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4. Brush Your Cat Daily<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nR<\/span>esearch online or talk to your family veterinarian to <\/span>determine<\/span> the best brush for your cat based on their coat. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> always important to brush your cat regularly, but during the summer, we highly encourage more frequent brushing \u2013 especially if your cat has a longer, thicker coat. Just imagine how much cooler your cat can be without <\/span>all <\/span>that<\/span> loose<\/span> hair you just brushed out!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n5. Limit Playtime<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nTry to limit playtimes to cooler hours of the day such as early mornings or evenings. During peak sun hours when the house is warmer, <\/span>vigorous play may cause <\/span>your cat <\/span>to <\/span>overheat<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n6. Shade<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nIf your cat does go outside in a cat <\/span>condo<\/span> or safely <\/span>roams<\/span> your backyard<\/span>, make sure they have <\/span>access to shade. In yards without trees, you can put up an umbrella or canopy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"cats,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/5.png\")
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7. Add Water<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nPet your cat with a <\/span>cool, damp<\/span> towel o<\/span>r br<\/span>ush <\/span>them<\/span> with a wet brush.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n8. Put It <\/span>In<\/span> the Freezer<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nMake homemade frozen cat treats with cat-friendly ingredients or by placing wet food in ice cube molds to freeze overnight.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nYou can also place a towel in the freezer overnight and put it in your cat\u2019s favorite spot in the morning. Another trick is to fill \u00be of water bottles and place them in the freezer overnight. In the morning, wrap them in a towel and place in your cat\u2019s favorite spot.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n9. Cooling Mats\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\nP<\/span>et-friendly cooling mats are made with special lightweight, cooling fabrics to lower your cat\u2019s body temperature. Some cooling mats may also <\/span>contain<\/span> a non-toxic gel or require added water. Overall, though, most work by releasing cooling technology with pressure \u2013 such as when your cat lies on it. If you are considering getting a cooling mat, ask your family veterinarian for advice on which brands they would recommend for your cat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n10. Use the Basement<\/h5>\n
Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house<\/span>,<\/span> so if your basement is pet-<\/span>proofed<\/span>, let your cat go <\/span>there<\/span> during the day. Bonus points if your basement has a bathroom or room with tiles \u2013 which are cooler than carpets or wooden floors<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"cats,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/6.png\")
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Important Reminder<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\nDO NOT leave your cat, or any pet, in the car on a warm day. If you have a vet appointment and need to run other errands, bring your cat home instead of making them wait in the car. On a warm day, a car acts like an oven and the temperature inside the car will get hotter than the temperature outside the car. On a 78\u00b0 day, after 30 minutes, the inside of the car will be 120\u00b0. Parking in the shade or \u201ccracking the windows\u201d doesn\u2019t make a difference. Leaving the car running with the AC on can be a good solution, but engines can stall, and then your pet is in trouble. Nothing is worth the risk of potentially endangering your pet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"cats,](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/7.png\")
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We hope these tips help keep your cat safe <\/span>and<\/span> cool this summer! If your cat does experience signs of <\/span>overheating or a heatstroke, contact <\/span>the local<\/span> animal emergency hospital right away. Always call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team can prepare for your pet\u2019s case and jump into action as soon as you arrive<\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nMore Reading:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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