Cooling down for cats: Tips for the summer

Wonderful summer weather, the sun is shining - and the thermometer is rising. From 30 degrees, the summer heat often gets to us humans, but your cat seems relaxed. But is this impression deceptive? When should you start cooling your cat down? How can you tell if your cat is not feeling well in the heat? We have answers and tips for you on how to protect your four-legged friend from the heat in summer.

How do cats tolerate heat?

Cats like it warm: even at the first rays of the spring sun, your outdoor cat likes to roll around in the slightly warmed sand and your indoor cat enjoys stretching its head towards the sun at the window.

On hot summer days, however, while our sweat glands are working at full speed to regulate our body temperature, it also gets too warm for most cats. Their disadvantage, however, is that they have far fewer sweat glands. These are mainly located on their paws and do little to cool them down. Instead, your cat compensates for heat by

• panting and using the evaporating saliva to cool down,

• moistening their fur by licking it,

• moving less and

• finding a cool spot.

In this way, your cat protects itself from overheating.

How you can tell that the heat is affecting your cat

Your cat becomes sluggish, hardly eats in the heat and breathes more through its mouth - such behaviour is first of all a normal reaction to the prevailing heat. You will also move less, perhaps prefer yoghurt to lasagne and start to sweat.

However, you must conclude that your cat is seriously overheating if these symptoms intensify or are joined by others:

• rapid, shallow breathing or heavy panting

• exhaustion and weakness

• restlessness

• high body temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or even higher

• vomiting

• increased pulse and pale mucous membranes (typical symptoms of shock)

• unconsciousness

If you notice these signs, you need to act fast: Take your cat to the vet! They can treat your cat's heat stroke immediately.

Cooling down for cats: 5 tips for house cats and outdoor cats

If the heat is unbearable, it's high time to give your velvet paw a little cooling. With these tips you can provide your pet with a welcome cooling down:

1. Find cool corners: If it is cooler in the house, for example in the cellar or in darkened rooms at an early stage, then convince your outdoor cat to take a break in the house. It's also best to take your four-legged friend to a place where it's coolest, e.g. a bathroom with tiles, a damp towel, a cooling mat or the cellar.

1. Damp flannel: If you moisten a flannel or cloth with water and stroke your purring pet's fur with it, it will already cool down a little due to the moistened hair and the evaporation. You can also store damp cloths in the fridge and take them out again whenever you need them.

1. Sufficient liquid: The most important thing in the summer heat is sufficient water. So always provide your pet with at least one well-filled water bowl. For your outdoor cat, this should be in a shady spot and regularly checked and refilled. As a highlight, you can add a few ice cubes to your cat's water - this makes it especially exciting. If you feed your cat wet food, this can serve as an additional source of liquid. If your cat is lazy about drinking, you can add a little water to the food. This also works with dry food - but soaked dry food is not to everyone's taste.

1. Air conditioner and fan: These technical devices will certainly make the heat in the house a little more bearable - your velvet paw will also appreciate that. Just make sure that the temperature is not set too low and that the draught is not too strong; this encourages a cold and can cause an unpleasant conjunctivitis.

1. Brushing: Cats with dark coats and longhaired cats have a particularly hard time with the heat. Therefore, especially in the summer, it is helpful to take an extra cuddle hour or two to groom your cat with a brush, curry comb and massage glove. This loosens loose hairs and the heat builds up less quickly under the coat.

By the way: Even if it doesn't seem like it, your velvet paw can also get sunburnt outside - especially cats with light-coloured fur are at risk. A little sun cream on the face (especially around the nose) and and on the sensitive ears with delicate fur - preferably without additives and perfume, because your cat cleans itself regularly and could ingest them.