Protecting Your Cat in Hot Weather

Cats are a lot more adapted to hot weather than humans, especially outdoor cats, but the heat can still take its toll on them. So, how can we help to protect our cats in the blistering heat?

It’s important to remember the key signs of a hot cat:

• Heavy panting or breathing
• Drooling
• Sickness
• Lethargy

If your cat has any of these symptoms, make sure you bring them inside somewhere cool and ensure they have plenty of water to drink.

We can take some precautions so that our cats are as safe as possible in hot weather:

• Don’t lock them out
• Provide access to a cool room in the house
• Control their going out times
• Don’t leave food out in the heat as it can become poisoned from flies
• Play with them when its cool (usually in the morning or evening)
• Brush them to get rid of excess hair that might be irritating them
• Create a space for them to lie down on a hard or tiled floor
• Give them plenty of water
• Keep the house conditions cool by using a fan or opening the windows

Of course, following these steps won’t mean that your cat won’t get hot but it’ll certainly help them to cool down and feel better. If your cat is developing more symptoms or getting worse, it is advisable to seek advice from a vet.