Looking after your Cat through the Summer months

Hopefully with summer not too far away, we thought we’d offer a few pointers for looking after your cat through the summer months. After all, as a cattery owner we see lots of cats over the summer period and love being able to pass on the information we have to make sure you keep your cat looked after for the warmer months ahead

Cats love warm weather and for the most part they’re very good at keeping themselves cool. However, if the weather becomes very hot it’s always a good idea to try and keep them out of direct sunlight and heat between 10am and 3.00pm.

Keeping curtains and blinds closed in the house will often make your home a cooler environment for your cat and if your house stays cooler with windows closed then it’s a good idea to keep those closed too.

When your cat does go outside apply a good quality pet sunscreen to nose and ears. Buy one which can’t be licked off. This is particularly useful if your cat is a light coloured variety.

If your cat grooms itself more through the warm summer months don’t be too alarmed about this. They will spend more time grooming as a cooling measure as the saliva acts a cooling agent by evaporating from the fur helping to cool them.

A sleepy cat through the warm summer months is usual. They will by nature take it easy to save themselves from getting too hot and bothered. A nice cool place to lie down and relax such as in front of a fan or a nice cool floor is another favourite trick!

Attention to your cats feet and paws is worth consideration. Their sweat glands will often leave wet paw prints as a give away of sweating meaning they need to replenish their fluids.  Always make sure a plentiful supply of water is around for your cat in different areas of the house. A good tip to remember is that cats often prefer their food and water to be in different areas.

Cats will often pant through warmer months, although this is not so obvious as for a dog for example. They will do this to take on cool air if they are hotter than normal. This is not to be concerned about unless the panting is particularly heavy.

As with humans, cats enjoy the warmer weather but common sense and a little attention to their needs will ensure your cat stays in good health throughout the summer months. If you are at all concerned regarding your cats health over the summer period, then you should consult your local vet for further help.