How to care for your cat in the hot weather

From creating extra shaded areas in the garden, to keeping their water topped up, we have lots of tips on how to care for your feline friend in hot weather.

Top tips

• Place lots of cat-friendly furniture in the garden to create shade for your cat.
• Even cats can get sunburnt, keep an eye on sensitive ears and noses and apply a cat-friendly sunblock.
• Keep your cat indoors between 11am and 3pm
• Put out an extra bowl of water for your cat and make sure it’s topped up throughout the day.
• Keep curtains closed during the day to keep rooms cooler. Use a fan to circulate the air.
• Make sure you keep their food fresh and not left out in the heat as you may attract pesky flies.
• Provide a cool mat for your cat to lay on if they wish. Alternatively, freeze bottles of water and wrap them in towels for your cat to lean or sleep against.

Keeping cool in the shade

Some cats enjoy basking in the sun, but it’s always worth providing shaded spots for them to retreat too when things heat up. You can easily keep your cat cool by placing extra plant pots around your garden and cat-friendly plants.

If you have a shed or garage that your cat has access to, make sure you check then before locking up at night. Cats will often find outbuildings to relax in when they need shade.

Cats and sunburn

Cats with white noses and ears can be affected by a condition called solar dermatitis. It causes the tips of the ears to go red and can be quite sore. If you’re worried about your cat, speak to your vet.

There are certain pet-friendly sun creams such as Filta Clear which can be applied to the tips of the ears and nose. For some furless breeds including the Sphynx cat, it’s best to keep them indoors during the hottest parts of the day.

Don’t be tempted to share your sun cream with your pets, ours includes chemicals which can be toxic to cats and dogs. If you can’t find the cat-safe sun cream, it’s okay to use a sunblock safe for babies and young children, just check the label and make sure it’s free from zinc oxides.

Keeping hydrated

Make sure your feline friend has access to fresh water and keep it topped up all day. Cats will tend to drink more in hot weather so it’s worth adding an extra water bowl. You might want to get a water fountain for the garden, your cat will enjoy a quick refreshment and some like playing in water.

Need more tips?

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, book a free telephone appointment with one of our behaviour and training specialists here.