Summer is coming! Every season has its own benefits and concerns for our feline friends. In summer, heat can be very problematic for cats. Because kitties can’t cool themselves off as effectively as dogs can, hot weather is quite dangerous for them. Read on as a Mt. Airy, MD vet offers some tips on helping Fluffy beat the summertime heat.
Water
First and foremost, make sure that Fluffy always has plenty of water. You may want to get her a little kitty fountain. Many of our feline pals actually prefer to drink running water!
Brushing
Dead fur and dander won’t help insulate your pet from the heat, and can actually make Fluffy hot and itchy. Brushing your furry little diva regularly will help keep her cooler and more comfortable.
Ice
When it’s really hot out, drop an ice cube into Fluffy’s bowl. You can also put one on the floor for her to bat around if she likes. Cats can only sweat through their paw pads, so playing ‘pawkey’ is actually a good way for your furball to regulate her temperature. It’s also just plain fun for her!
Cold Treats
Who says cats don’t enjoy cool snacks? Offer Fluffy some chilled sodium-free broth, tuna, or deli meat. You can also try keeping your pet’s canned food in the fridge, to see if she likes it.
Keep Kitty In
Keep your kitty inside, in rooms cooled by fans or air conditioners, when it gets really hot. Fluffy will be much safer staying indoors anyway!
Let Fluffy Be Fluffy
Cats are very, very good at making themselves comfortable. Fluffy will naturally seek out the coolest spot. Don’t be surprised if you find your furry friend stretched out on the kitchen or bathroom tile: these surfaces naturally stay cooler.
Fan
Position a fan so that it circulates the air near Fluffy’s bed. Just make sure she can’t knock it over!
Hammock
There’s a reason hammocks are often found on tropical islands. Because they allow air to flow beneath them, they often stay cooler than regular beds. You can make Fluffy her very own kitty hammock just by attaching a piece of fabric to the legs of a table. Instant purr!
Please reach out to us, your Mt. Airy, MD vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
