Cats and Hot Weather

Many cats love a sunny windowsill, a warm patio, or a quiet spot in the garden. But with the hotter-than-average temperatures, it is important to remember that cats feel the heat too.

Cats are generally sensible about seeking shade, but they can still become dehydrated, overheated, or sunburnt – especially older cats, kittens, long-haired cats, pale-coated cats, and those with existing health conditions.

Help your cat stay hydrated

Cats are not always enthusiastic drinkers, so it is worth making water as easy and appealing as possible.

Place several bowls of fresh water around the home, especially in quiet, shaded areas. Many cats prefer wide, shallow bowls so their whiskers do not touch the sides.

You could also try:

• A pet water fountain

• Adding a little extra water to wet food

• Offering wet food if your cat usually eats dry food

• Refreshing water bowls regularly

• Keeping water away from food bowls and litter trays

• Placing extra bowls near favourite resting spots

  
  

Outdoor cats should always have access to shade and fresh water, especially if they spend time in the garden during the day.

Keep indoor spaces cool

Even indoor cats can become uncomfortable if the house heats up. Simple ways to help include:

• Keeping curtains or blinds partly closed on sunny windows

• Giving access to cooler rooms or tiled floors

• Using fans safely, where your cat cannot knock them over

• Avoiding shutting cats in conservatories, sheds, greenhouses or hot rooms

• Making sure they can move freely to find a cooler spot

Conservatories and garden rooms can become dangerously hot very quickly, even when the rest of the house feels comfortable.

Protect against sunburn

Cats with white fur, pale ears, pink noses, thin coats, or hairless areas are more vulnerable to sunburn. Sunburn may appear as red, sore, flaky or crusty skin. To help protect your cat:

• Keep vulnerable cats indoors during the hottest, sunniest part of the day

• Provide plenty of shaded resting places

• Use a cat-safe sunscreen on vulnerable areas

• Never use human sunscreen unless your vet has confirmed it is safe for cats

• Contact us if you notice redness, scabs, sores, hair loss or changes to the skin

Grooming can help

Regular brushing removes loose fur and can help your cat feel more comfortable in warm weather.

This is especially useful for long-haired cats, older cats, overweight cats, or cats who find grooming difficult. Matted fur can trap heat and irritate the skin, so please get in touch if your cat’s coat is becoming tangled or hard to manage.

Avoid shaving your cat unless advised by a vet or professional groomer, as the coat also helps protect the skin from the sun.

Extra care for older cats and cats with health conditions

Senior cats and cats with kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems, breathing issues, obesity or mobility problems may find hot weather harder to cope with.

Make sure food, water, litter trays and resting places are easy to access. If your cat struggles with stairs, try to keep everything they need on one level during hot days.

Signs of heat-related illness

Cats are very good at hiding when they feel unwell, so early signs of heat stress can be easy to miss. Keep a closer eye on your cat’s normal habits when it’s hot. Are they eating? Drinking? Using the litter tray? Moving around comfortably? Resting somewhere cool?

Signs to watch for include:

• Being quieter or more lethargic than usual

• Hiding away more than normal

• Reduced appetite

• Sticky or dry gums

• Drinking much more or much less than usual

• Passing less urine

• Restlessness or moving from place to place

• Drooling

• Panting or open-mouth breathing

Need advice?

With hotter-than-average weather arriving early this year, now is a good time to check that your cat is ready for whatever the British summer brings. Whether you are worried about sunburn, hydration, grooming, or how your older cat is coping with the heat, we're here to help, get in touch.

If your cat seems unusually tired, off their food, wobbly, disorientated, or their breathing changes, please contact your vet.

Quick tips

• Keep several water bowls topped up

• Offer shaded, cool resting places

• Keep vulnerable cats out of strong midday sun

• Use cat-safe sunscreen on pale ears, noses and thinly furred areas

• Brush regularly to remove loose fur

• Never leave cats shut in conservatories, sheds or hot rooms

• Watch for panting, drooling, lethargy or behaviour changes

• Contact your vet urgently if you are concerned