To Help your Cat Keep Its Cool This Summer, Consider These Tips

For all their differences, cats and dogs have a few things in common, particularly that they need special care during the summer months to keep them both cool and healthy.

At Raleigh Pet Sitters, we know how important your cat is to you and we want to help you keep them healthy and happy this summer. We know that cats have different personalities than dogs, but they often need some of the same care on hot days.

Five Tips to Keep Your Cat Cool and Healthy This Summer

1. Make sure water is available

Whether you put out a simple bowl that you refill when needed or you use an automatic fountain, it is important to make sure that your cat can easily get to water when they want or need something to drink. For cats who like less than still water, there’s always the option for potential entertainment and hydration from a dripping faucet.

2. Give your cat a cool place to lay down

Many cats enjoy laying around, especially when it’s warm out. You can help them to be more comfortable by giving them a cool place to hang out. Freeze a water bottle and leave it in your cat’s favorite lounging spot for a little while (whether that’s a bed of the back of a couch). After you’ve picked up the bottle, the surface of that spot remains cool to the touch, which may attract your cat on a hot day.    

3. Add a cat run or enclosure

Even the most chill indoor cat likes to get a little air sometimes. This is where an indoor/outdoor cat enclosure can come in handy. These come in a variety of sizes and shapes; you can buy them pre-assembled, or find instructions online to make your own.  These are great because your cat can easily get a breath of the outdoors but stay safe and protected.

4. Consider summer grooming

You may think that your fluffy cat would be cooler in the summer without all that hair, but you might want to rethink this. Some cats are susceptible to sunburn, and some spots on a cat’s body can be prone to irritation and more serious issues. If you’re seriously considering this, you might want to talk to your vet and your groomer to determine the best way to do it without putting your pet at risk.

5. Protect your pet from summer pests

Although fleas and ticks can be problematic for cats any time of year, they can be more of an annoyance and problem in the summer. Talk to your veterinarian to find the right preventative treatment. If you have flea issues that cleaning (washing your bedding and your pets’ bedding, and vacuuming) and bathing the cat doesn’t fix, you might want to call in pest control.

We’ll take good care of your cat while you’re at work during the day, or if we’re checking in on your pet if you’re away overnight. Contact us today to see how we can help your feline friend this summer!