Home Methods to Maintain your Feline's Temperature (utilizing household items)
In the sweltering heat of summer, it's essential to ensure our feline friends stay safe and comfortable. While cats are less prone to heatstroke than dogs, they can still overheat, and it's crucial to take precautions.
Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, a qualified vet with nine years of experience, recommends several ways to keep cats cool in the summer. Beyond the commonly mentioned methods, here are additional strategies to enhance protection against heatstroke.
Using damp blankets, cool mats, or a damp cloth passed gently over the fur can help lower a cat’s body temperature and create cooler resting spots at home. Providing multiple water bowls, some with ice cubes, encourages hydration and keeps water cool and accessible everywhere the cat frequents.
Encouraging airflow by using fans or leaving interior doors open helps reduce indoor ambient temperature and avoids heat buildup. Serving wet food as part of the diet adds extra hydration beneficial during hot weather.
Avoiding leaving cats in hot cars or enclosed hot patios/sunrooms is a must, as temperatures can rise rapidly and become deadly. Scheduling any outdoor exercise or play during the coolest times of day, such as early morning or late evening, and avoiding heat stress during hotter hours is also advisable.
Creating DIY cooling pads at preferred nap spots using frozen gel packs or cold water bottles wrapped in towels offers localized cool surfaces. Regular grooming, especially for long-haired cats, prevents matting and allows better heat dissipation without risking injury.
Monitoring behaviour and temperature regularly is essential, watching for signs of discomfort or early heat stress to intervene promptly. Planning for absences by arranging pet sitters or boarding with climate control prevents prolonged exposure to heat in poorly ventilated places.
In case of heatstroke, soak the cat's fur thoroughly with water, keep them in a cool room next to a fan or air conditioning, and call the vet immediately. Making frozen treats using ingredients from your cupboard, such as drained tuna, can help cool down a cat. Freezing cat treats can be an effective way to encourage them to drink water.
Using a portable handheld turbo fan is a great alternative for cooling down cats when there's no air conditioning. A handheld fan with 100 speed settings and the ability to stand on tables is available on Amazon for under $10. Using a pet-specific cooling mat can help keep a cat cool and is a better alternative to offering a wet towel.
Making homemade ice cubes using molds is a cost-effective solution. Silicone Paw Print Ice Cube Molds, available on Amazon, can be used in various appliances. Silicone Popsicles Molds, also available on Amazon, are safe for cats to eat from.
Choolip Squeeze Vita Stick Lickable Treats are suitable for freezing and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. These treats can be an enjoyable and nutritious way to help cool down a cat.
The article was last updated in August 2025 by Megan Milstead, and it was edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver. With these additional strategies, we can create a cooler, safer environment for our cats during the hot summer months.
- In the scorching summer heat, it's essential to provide cool resting spots for cats, such as using damp blankets or cool mats.
- To encourage hydration, provide multiple water bowls, some with ice cubes, throughout the house.
- Utilizing fans or leaving doors open helps create good airflow, reducing indoor temperature and heat buildup.
- Serving wet food as part of a cat's diet during hot weather adds extra hydration.
- Never leave cats in hot cars or enclosed hot areas, as temperatures can rise rapidly and become deadly.
- Regular grooming for long-haired cats prevents matting and aids in heat dissipation.
- Monitoring a cat's behavior and temperature is vital to spot signs of heat-related issues and take prompt action.
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