Cats need water to stave off the heat.
If it's too warm outside by your standards, it's definitely too warm outside for your cat. Cats, unlike humans, do not have the ability to cool themselves by sweating. Cats only sweat from their paw pads, which are too small to provide any real cooling effort. In the wild, cat species bathe themselves and let the evaporating water cool them down. Keeping an outdoor domestic cat cool in the summertime is all about meeting your feline friend's basic needs for water and shelter from the sun.
Instructions
1. Supply cats with a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Alley Cat Allies recommends using a narrow bowl with more depth to reduce the rate of evaporation during hot summer months. Offer several bowls in various locations on your property.
2. Freeze a bowl of water the night before and place it outside during the heat. Ice is a treat for any cat, but the frozen water keeps the bowl and water cool as it melts.
3. Offer shady spaces for your cat to escape the direct sunlight. Creating shady areas can be as temporary and simple as placing a cardboard box on its side or as long-lasting as constructing a dog house or planting a tree.
4. Avoid tethering or confining your cat on hot days. The spot where your cat is confined may start off shady, but the change in light can render the spot in full sun during another part of the day. Afford your cat the ability to seek out a cooler spot during the heat of the day.
5. Groom your cat on a regular basis. Remove dead fur and matted clumps that trap heat against the cat's body. Speak to your veterinarian to find out if trimming or shaving the cat's coat is a viable option.
6. Wet down your cat. Some cats will allow you to rub them with a wet towel or soak them with a hose, however most domestic cats are averse to water. Dampen your hands before petting your cats. As the water evaporates, it cools the cat.
7. Apply a pet safe sunscreen to outdoor cats who are out and about during the hottest parts of the day. Sunburn not only poses a long-term cancer risk, but burns trap in heat and make temperatures seem worse than they are. A pet safe sunburn can keep your cat from feeling too warm.
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