How to Keep Cats Cool in a Heat Wave

Unlike dogs, cats don't keep cool by panting, although they do pant when they play strenuously or when they're sick or scared. Instead they cool off by licking themselves and allowing their saliva to evaporate into the air. Pet owners can help cats cool off in a variety of ways in the hot summer months.

  1. Plenty of Water

    • Most cats don't like taking baths and refuse to go near water to cool off. Regardless, all cats need a lot of fresh drinking water in the hot months because they tend to drink more when it's hot. Many cats don't like really cold water, but others may enjoy a few ice cubes in their dish. Regardless, keeping a dish of fresh, clean water on hand at all times helps a lot. The more a cat drinks, the more saliva she has for cooling herself down.

    Cool Places

    • Make sure that your kitty has plenty of cool spots to lie in, away from sunbeams coming through windows. Most cats enjoy lounging in the sink, because it's cool. Bathtubs and tiled and cement floors are all enjoyable lounging spots. Running cold water in the tub once in a while to wet it down and cool it off helps give your cat a place to beat the heat.

    A Nice Breeze or Air Conditioning

    • Open a window in a place where the cat can perch herself and she will delightedly sniff the fresh air as it blows in. A fan blowing where a cat can get near it helps as well, but some cats dislike the powerful blasts from a fan and will move away from it. Keep the fan on a low setting if possible. Air conditioning left on low all day can help keep cats cool in the home.

    Clipping or Brushing

    • Long-haired cats suffer more in the heat, so clipping their fur can help cool them off. Some cat owners give their long-haired felines a lion cut, in which everything but the mane and tail areas is shaved close to the skin. For short-haired cats, frequent brushing can help remove the uncomfortable tangles and loose hairs that might matt up in the fur. Many cats like being brushed anyway.