Every June, the phones at Catonsville Cat Clinic start ringing a little differently. The questions shift — from “is my cat shedding too much?” to “is my cat too hot?” — and behind each one is a cat owner who genuinely wants to do right by their pet. We love that.
So this month, we’re answering the questions we hear most often when summer arrives in Maryland. Consider this your seasonal cheat sheet, straight from the exam room.
Heat & Environment: Keeping Your Cat Comfortable When Temperatures Rise
Q: My cat keeps lying on the tile floor. Is that normal, or is something wrong?
Totally normal, and honestly, pretty smart. Cats are excellent self-regulators, and cool surfaces like tile or hardwood are one of their go-to strategies for staying comfortable in the heat.
If your cat is seeking out the bathroom floor or the basement more than usual on a hot day, they’re just doing what cats do. That said, if the floor-seeking comes with other symptoms — lethargy, panting, drooling, or loss of appetite — that’s worth a call to us, because it could signal something more than just warmth-seeking behavior.
Q: Can my indoor cat get heatstroke if we don’t have AC? What temperature is too hot?
Yes, and this is one we take seriously. Cats can develop heat exhaustion when their environment exceeds around 90°F, and heatstroke can set in quickly in poorly ventilated spaces. A closed car, a sunlit room with no airflow, or an attic can become dangerous faster than most people realize.
If you don’t have central air, focus on keeping at least one room cool and shaded, provide plenty of fresh water, and watch your cat closely on the hottest days. Signs of heat distress include rapid breathing, drooling, weakness, and disorientation. If you see those, contact us immediately.
Q: Are fans enough, or does my cat actually need air conditioning?
Fans help with airflow, but here’s the thing: cats don’t sweat the way we do, so moving air doesn’t cool them down as efficiently as it does humans. A fan in a 95-degree room is still a 95-degree room for your cat. If temperatures are consistently high and your home gets warm, air conditioning — even a window unit in one room your cat can retreat to — makes a meaningful difference.
Providing cool water, damp towels to lie on, and shaded resting spots can also help bridge the gap.
Eating, Drinking & Weight: Appetite and Hydration Shifts in Warmer Months
Q: My cat eats less in summer. Should I be worried?
A mild decrease in appetite during hot weather is common and generally not alarming. Cats tend to need slightly fewer calories when they’re less active and warmer. Think of it as their version of not wanting a big hot meal on a sweltering day.
What you do want to watch for is a more significant or prolonged drop in food intake, sudden weight loss, or any accompanying symptoms like vomiting or unusual thirst. If you’re unsure whether the change is seasonal or something more, a quick wellness visit can give you peace of mind.
Q: How do I know if my cat is drinking enough water? Any tricks to help?
Cats are notoriously poor drinkers. They evolved from desert animals and don’t have a strong instinct to seek water proactively, which makes summer hydration a real concern. Signs of dehydration include dry or tacky gums, sunken eyes, skin that doesn’t spring back quickly when gently pinched, and lethargy.
To encourage better drinking, try a pet water fountain (many cats prefer moving water), place multiple bowls in different locations around the house, and consider adding a small amount of water or low-sodium broth to their food. If your cat eats dry kibble, summer is a good time to discuss transitioning to wet food with your vet.
Behavior & Sleep: The Weird Things Cats Do in Summer — and Why
Q: My cat seems lazier than usual. Is the heat making her sluggish, or could something be wrong?
Heat-related sluggishness is real. Cats conserve energy when it’s warm, and you may notice more long naps and less zoomie activity in summer. If the change is gradual and your cat is otherwise eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally, it’s likely just the season.
However, if the lethargy came on suddenly, is pronounced, or is paired with other changes in behavior or appetite, it’s worth getting checked out. Lethargy can be an early sign of a range of health issues, and cats are masters at masking illness until it’s advanced.
Q: Why does my cat suddenly want to be outside so much more in summer?
Longer daylight hours, more birds and wildlife, warmer temperatures — summer is basically a sensory buffet for cats, and the pull of the outdoors intensifies.
If you have an indoor cat who’s pressing hard to get out, this is a good time to think about enrichment alternatives: screened porches, window perches with a good view, or puzzle feeders that engage their hunting instincts. If your cat does have supervised outdoor access, summer also means refreshing their parasite prevention and keeping their vaccines current.
Vacation & Boarding: Planning for Summer Travel
Q: Is it better to board my cat or have someone come to the house while I’m away?
It depends on your cat’s personality, and there’s no single right answer. Cats are generally more territorial than dogs. Many do better staying in their own environment with a trusted pet sitter who comes once or twice a day.
However, if your cat has medical needs that require monitoring, boarding at a facility with veterinary oversight may be the safer choice. Whatever you decide, make sure whoever is caring for your cat has your vet’s contact information, knows your cat’s normal behavior, and has a written record of any medications or dietary needs.
Q: My cat is on daily medication. What do I need to arrange before I travel?
Start here: make sure you have enough medication to cover your trip, plus a few extra days as a buffer. Leave clear written instructions — not just verbal ones — that include the dose, how it’s given, what time of day, and what to do if your cat refuses it.
If the medication requires refrigeration or has specific handling requirements, make sure your sitter knows. And please let us know you’re going away. If something comes up while you’re traveling, it helps us to already have context about your cat’s care situation.
Seasonal Health: Summer-Specific Risks for Maryland Cats
Q: Do indoor cats really need parasite prevention in summer?
Yes, and this surprises a lot of people. Fleas don’t need your cat to go outside; they hitch rides on clothing, shoes, and other pets. Mosquitoes, which can transmit heartworm, get into homes easily.
If you live in Maryland and your cat has any access to the outdoors — even a screened porch or a quick supervised outing — parasite prevention is especially important. Talk to us about what makes sense for your cat’s specific lifestyle.
Q: My cat goes on the screened porch. Is that enough outdoor exposure to worry about?
A screened porch is a wonderful enrichment option, and it does reduce many risks. But screens aren’t perfect barriers. Insects can still get through, and if a screen has any gaps or tears, you may not know it. We’d still recommend mosquito and flea prevention for any cat with regular porch access, and it’s worth checking your screens for damage at the start of each summer.
On the upside, a porch is one of the safest ways to give your cat fresh air, sunlight, and the mental stimulation of the outside world without the full risks of roaming outdoors.
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Still have a question we didn’t cover? We’re here all summer. The best answers are always the ones tailored to your specific cat, and that’s what a wellness visit is for. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nesbitt at Catonsville Cat Clinic and let’s talk through whatever’s on your mind.