More Than Cat Grooming – How To Keep Your Cat Cool This Summer
Summer officially begins on June 21st. Not only is this the longest day of the year but it’s also the start of three months of grueling hot weather. During the summer heat it’s easy for humans to strip down to shorts and tank tops, but what about our cats? They must wear their fur coat all year long. When your cat requires more than routine cat grooming to cool off, the following tips can help:
- Drop three or four ice cubes into your cat’s water bowl.
- Fill a small plastic bottle ¾ full with cold water and leave it in the freezer overnight. In the morning, wrap the bottle in a towel and place it in your cat’s favorite lounging spot.
- Elevating your cat’s bed allows air to pass underneath it, keeping your cat cooler.
- Consider getting a small box fan and placing it on the floor near your air conditioner or an open window. For extra cooling power, put a frozen water bottle in front of the fan.
- If your cat has long fur, consider a lion cut to help keep them cool on hot summer days. Keep in mind that cats with white or light colored fur also have pale skin that is more susceptible to sunburns. Another option is to only shave your cat’s tummy.
- Stroke your cat with a damp washcloth or paper towel.
- Close the curtains or blinds of any south or west facing windows. Not only will this keep your cat cooler, it will save you money on your air conditioning bills as well.
- Cats can get overheated easily by exercise on hot days. It’s best to save playtime until the end of the day, when it’s cooler.
- Remember to NEVER leave your cat in your car for any period of time. Your car can reach dangerous temperatures extremely fast.
Heatstroke can cause kidney damage, heart dysfunction and other potentially fatal issues. If your cat starts panting, drooling or having trouble breathing it’s important to get them to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Claws N Paws Day Spa can help keep your cat cool this summer. Contact us at 714-962-1005 to find out how!