Summer is easy for us. We can switch on the air conditioner, grab a cold drink, or jump into a cool shower whenever we want. Our cats cannot do any of that. They wear a fur coat all year round, and they cannot tell us when they feel too hot.
Most cats find a cool spot on their own, but on very hot days that may not be enough — especially for kittens, older cats, overweight cats, and flat-faced breeds like Persians. Here are eight simple tips that actually work.
1. Create Cool, Shady Spots Around Your Home
Close the curtains or blinds on windows that get direct afternoon sun, especially on the west side of your home. This one small step can lower a room’s temperature by several degrees. Leave interior doors open so your cat can move freely to the coolest room.
Many cats love bathrooms and kitchens in summer because of the tile floors. A tile, stone, or hardwood floor stays naturally cool, and your cat lying flat on it is cooling her belly on purpose. If you have rugs everywhere, leave one patch of bare floor uncovered.
2. Keep Fresh, Cool Water Everywhere
Water is the most important part of summer cat care. Cats do not sweat the way we do, and they lose moisture through panting and through their paw pads. Place several water bowls around your home, not just one next to the food bowl. Cats often prefer to drink away from where they eat, so try one bowl in the kitchen, one in the living room, and one where your cat sleeps.
Change the water at least twice a day in summer and wash the bowls daily. On very hot days, drop in one or two ice cubes — many cats are curious about the ice, and it keeps the water cool for longer. Some cats barely touch a still bowl but will drink happily from a running tap. If that sounds like your cat, a pet water fountain can be a great summer investment. If you already wonder why your cat drinks from the faucet, a fountain gives them that same running-water feeling at home without you leaving the tap on. Wet food also helps, since it contains a lot of water.
3. Use Cooling Mats, Damp Towels, and Tile Floors
A pet cooling mat is one of the easiest options. These mats stay cool to the touch without electricity or freezing, and many cats will choose to lie on them on their own. Place the mat in your cat’s favourite resting spot and let them decide. Never force your cat to lie on it — if they walk away, that is fine.
If you do not have a cooling mat, a lightly damp towel can work well. Wet a clean towel with cool water, wring it out well so it is damp but not dripping, and lay it flat on the floor or over a chair your cat likes. You can also gently wipe your cat’s paws and ears with a damp cloth on a very hot day, since these areas have less fur.
4. Help With Grooming — But Do Not Shave Your Cat
Long-haired cats feel summer heat more than short-haired cats. Their thick coat traps warm air, and mats in the fur make it even harder for air to reach the skin. Brush your long-haired cat a few times a week in summer. Gentle brushing removes loose fur, prevents painful mats, and lets air flow through the coat. If you are not sure how to start, our guide on how to groom a long-haired cat at home walks you through the tools and steps in a calm, cat-friendly way.
Keep grooming sessions short and calm. Five minutes of gentle brushing is better than a long session that leaves your cat stressed and panting. Should you shave your cat for summer? In most cases, no. A cat’s fur protects the skin from sunburn and helps control body temperature.
5. Time Play and Outdoor Time for Cooler Hours
The middle of the day, roughly from late morning to late afternoon, is the hottest part of the day. Save active play for the cooler hours — early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down. Try two or three short games of five to ten minutes each instead of one long, wild chase.
Watch your cat’s body language during play. If they start panting, slow down, lie flat, or walk away, the game is over. Let them rest in a cool spot and offer fresh water. If your cat goes outdoors, make sure they always have shade, fresh water outside as well as inside, and a way back into the cool house. Hot pavements can burn paw pads, so test the ground with your own hand first — if it feels too hot for your palm after five seconds, it is too hot for paws.
6. Never Leave Your Cat in a Parked Car
This is the most important tip in this whole article: never leave your cat in a parked car, not even for a few minutes, not even with the windows open a little. A parked car heats up shockingly fast. On a warm day, the temperature inside can rise by 10 degrees or more in just ten minutes, even in the shade. Cracking a window does not stop this. A cat trapped in a hot car cannot cool down, cannot find water, and cannot escape. Heatstroke can develop in minutes and can be fatal.
Even at 22°C outside, a car in the sun can become dangerously hot very quickly. If you travel with your cat, use a secure carrier, keep the air conditioning on, never leave the cat alone in the car, and carry water and a small bowl. If you see a cat alone in a hot car, try to find the owner or call local animal rescue.
7. Learn the Warning Signs of Heatstroke
Most cats handle summer well with a little help, but every cat owner should know the warning signs of overheating. Watch for panting or fast, open-mouth breathing; drooling or a tongue that looks bright red; restlessness, followed by weakness, wobbling, or trouble standing; vomiting or diarrhoea on a hot day; a body that feels very hot to the touch; and glazed eyes, confusion, or collapse.
If you notice several of these signs together, act quickly but calmly. Move your cat to the coolest, shadiest place you can find. Offer small amounts of cool water, but do not force them to drink. Gently dampen their paws, belly, and ears with cool (not ice-cold) water using a cloth. Do not cover them in ice or plunge them into cold water — a sudden chill can cause shock. Then contact your vet straight away, even if your cat seems better — hidden damage can show up hours later. To tell normal warm-weather behaviour from a real problem, it helps to know more about why cats pant and when to worry.
8. Keep Your Home Cool and Watch Summer Eating Habits
In winter you will do the opposite — for the cold months, our guide on how to keep your cat warm in winter covers cosy home tips for the other end of the year.
Many cats eat a little less on hot days and sleep more during the afternoon. A small drop in appetite is usually nothing to worry about, as long as your cat is still drinking water and using the litter box normally. Offer smaller, fresher meals more often instead of one big bowl of food sitting out all day, because wet food can spoil quickly in the heat — do not leave it out for more than 30 minutes. If your cat stops drinking, stops eating completely for more than a day, or seems weak and confused, do not wait to see if it passes.
What NOT to Do
Good intentions can go wrong in summer if we do things that feel helpful to us but are unsafe for cats. Here are the common mistakes to avoid:
- Do not put ice directly on your cat or dunk them in cold water. Ice-cold water can shock their system. Use cool water on a cloth instead.
- Do not shave your cat. Fur protects against sunburn and helps control body temperature. Brushing is better than shaving.
- Do not leave your cat in a parked car, a greenhouse, or a sunny conservatory with no escape. These spaces heat up fast and can become deadly in minutes.
- Do not give your cat ice cream, cold milk, or frozen human treats. Many cats are lactose intolerant, and rich treats can upset their stomach.
- Do not ignore panting. Dogs pant all the time, but cats rarely do. If your cat is panting, cool them down and call your vet.
When to See a Vet
Most summer heat problems can be prevented with shade, water, and common sense. But sometimes a vet visit is the right call, and it is better to go early than to wait too long. Contact your vet promptly if your cat is panting, drooling, vomiting, or seems weak or wobbly on a hot day. If your cat collapses, has a seizure, or becomes unresponsive, this is an emergency — go to the vet right away.
Also call your vet if your cat stops drinking water or stops eating completely for more than 24 hours, or if their breathing is fast, laboured, or noisy even after resting in a cool place. Kittens, seniors, overweight cats, and cats with a heart or breathing condition need extra care. Never give human medicine to bring a fever down — medicines made for people can be dangerous for cats.
FAQ
Is it normal for cats to sleep more in summer?
Yes, it is very normal. Cats naturally rest during the hottest part of the day and become more active in the cooler early morning and evening hours. As long as your cat is still eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally, extra afternoon naps are usually nothing to worry about.
Can I give my cat ice cubes in their water?
Yes, one or two ice cubes in a water bowl are usually fine for most healthy cats, and they help keep the water cool for longer. Some cats enjoy batting at the ice or licking it. Do not fill the whole bowl with ice.
Should I shave my long-haired cat in summer?
In most cases, no. A cat’s fur protects the skin from sunburn and helps regulate body temperature. Shaving can leave the skin exposed and irritated, and the coat may grow back unevenly. Regular brushing is a much better way to help a long-haired cat in summer.
What temperature is too hot for a cat?
Most healthy cats are comfortable in temperatures similar to what feels comfortable to us, roughly 18°C to 26°C. Above 30°C, cats can start to struggle, especially if there is no shade, fresh water, or airflow. Kittens, older cats, overweight cats, and flat-faced breeds may struggle at lower temperatures.
Can cats get sunburn?
Yes, cats can get sunburn, especially on thinly furred areas like the ears, nose, and belly. White cats and cats with light-coloured ears are at higher risk. Keep your cat out of strong direct sunlight during the middle of the day, and provide shade indoors and outdoors.
Conclusion
Keeping your cat cool in summer does not need to be complicated. It comes down to a few simple habits: shade and airflow, fresh cool water in several places, a cool floor or mat to lie on, gentle grooming, play in the cooler hours, and never leaving your cat in a hot car.
Watch your cat closely — they will show you what they need. Learn the warning signs of heatstroke, keep your vet’s number handy, and do not hesitate to call if something feels wrong. With a little care, summer can be a happy season for your cat too — full of cool naps, gentle evening play, and long, lazy days in the shade.