Here are a few tips to help keep your cat cool.
The weather has been heating up, and it can be a struggle to make sure that everybody stays healthy and comfortable. Even indoor cats can easily become overheated in the summer, and air conditioning might not always be enough. So here are a few tips to help keep your cat cool.
Stay Hydrated
Especially in the warmer weather, it’s important to make sure that your cat is getting enough water. One way that you can encourage them to drink more water is to set out a couple extra water bowls around the house. Find your cat’s favorite places or somewhere that is out of the way of foot traffic. If you’re concerned about messes, then put a small hand towel under the bowl to catch drips. Be aware, do not put ice cubes in the water because as they melt, they will become smaller and pose a choking hazard.
Your Cat’s Fur
As you know, a mammal’s fur helps them stay warm in the winter, like a built-in coat. But wouldn’t having a coat on in the summer be miserable? You might be surprised to learn that a cat’s fur can also be a natural insulator against the heat. If you see your cat grooming themselves more in hot weather, they are wetting their fur which will cool them down through evaporation. It’s the same phenomenon that humans experience through sweating. You can try to help this process by wiping your cat off with a cool, wet washcloth. Some cats enjoy this while others really hate it, so just be careful when trying it out for the first time.
Cool-Down Spots
Cats are pros at finding the best napping spots, whether it’s following that patch of sunlight on the floor or seeking out the coolest part of the house. Your cat might like stretching out on the kitchen tile, for example, because that area of the floor is much cooler than carpet. Make sure that the layout of your kitchen gives your cat a little room to escape from the heat.
CONTACT CATONSVILLE CAT CLINIC TODAY!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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