Summers in Brisbane can be pretty brutal. And if you’re feeling the heat, chances are your cat is too!
While most cats are quite efficient at cooling themselves down, when the weather really warms up, they can become vulnerable to overheating. But with a few key steps, you can help keep your cat cool and safe on the hottest summer days.
Provide plenty of fresh drinking water
Water is really important to help your kitty avoid becoming overheated and dehydrated. This can be hard with cats, so a good way to entice them to stay hydrated is to run some tap water for them or invest in a water fountain. Always put out extra water bowls in summer, however it is best to use ceramic bowls, as they are great for keeping the water cold, and won’t absorb the water as quickly as other bowls can.
Swap out some of your cat’s dry food with wet food
Increasing the amount of wet food you offer your cat on hot days is a great way to get a bit of extra hydration into them with little effort. If you do add more wet food in their diet, don’t forget to accordingly reduce the amount of dry food provided so you don’t overfeed them.
Create cool resting spots
Cats love to nap, and in the summer, they’ll naturally seek out the coolest spots.
Help them out by:
- Placing cooling mats or damp towels in their favourite napping areas
- Keeping curtains or blinds closed to block direct sunlight
- Where possible, using fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature
Brush your cat regularly
For cats with long or thick fur, regular brushing helps remove excess fur and reduces the risk of overheating.
Grooming also improves airflow to their skin. However, avoid shaving their coat unless recommended by a vet, as fur provides protection from both heat and sunburn.
Signs of heat stress in cats
Even if you do everything you can to help cool your cat down on those hot summer days, they can still become overheated in certain circumstances. Flatter-faced cats (e.g. Persians, Burmese and Himalayans) are at increased risk of heat stress due to their shortened noses and narrowed airways, which makes for them to effectively regulate their body temperature.
Heat stress can develop into a life-threatening condition, so it’s important to know the early signs to look out for.
- Distressed breathing or heavy panting
- Restlessness or pacing
- Drooling
- Elevated heart rate
- Lethargy or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
If you think your cat may be showing signs of heat stress, you need to try and cool them down as quickly as possible. Move them into air-conditioning or under a fan and spray cool water onto their fur and skin and call your vet for advice.
If you are ever concerned that your cat may be overheating and becoming unwell, please get in touch with our Loganholme vet clinic. We are open 6 days a week and will always prioritise emergency cases. You can call us on 07 3801 1744.