Summer is here! This time of year can be dangerous for cats. Our feline friends really don’t have much by the way of built-in cooling mechanisms. Panting isn’t very effective for Fluffy, and she can only sweat through her paws. You’ll want to take a few steps to make sure that your furry pal stays cool through the summer heat. A Dallas, GA vet offers tips on how to do that in this article.

Water

Make sure your feline pal always has plenty of fresh water. You may want to get Fluffy an automated waterer. Pet fountains are also pretty popular among our feline buddies.

Brushing

Dead fur and dander can make Fluffy’s coat hot and itchy. Brushing your cat will help keep her cooler. This is also a good way to spend time with your kitty, and get her little motor running.

Kitty Comforts

You may have noticed that cats are quite skilled at getting comfortable. If you let your pet roam freely through your home, she’ll naturally find the coolest spot. This may be the cellar, or on the kitchen or bathroom floor, since tile naturally stays cool. (Fluffy also like to sprawl out in the middle of high-traffic areas, but that’s beside the point.)

Cold Snacks

Ice cream is probably the most popular summer snack for humans. While this isn’t a great option for cats, you can give Fluffy a bowl of chilled sodium-free beef or chicken broth.

Ice

On hot days, drop an ice cube into your kitty’s bowl. You may also want to put one on the floor, and see if she wants to play with it. Since cats use their paw pads to regulate their temperature, this can be a fun way for Fluffy to cool off.

Hammock

Comfy beds are a definite must for our feline pals. In summer, Fluffy may enjoy a hammock bed. These stay cooler than regular beds, because air can move beneath them. You can of course buy your kitty a bed, but you can also go the DIY route. You’ll need a table with four legs and a piece of material. Cut the material so that it’s smaller than the table top, then attach the corner to the table legs. Done!

Please reach out to us, your local Dallas, GA vet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!