Keeping Your Cat Cool

Summer is just around the corner! Of course, here in Florida, the official dates don’t always matter much: summer actually lasts for a good chunk of the year. This time of year can be very dangerous to our feline friends. Kitties can’t cool themselves down easily if they overheat, so they can get very sick if they get too hot. Read on as a local Southside, FL vet discusses keeping your kitty cool on sweltering days.

Water

Make sure your furry pal always has clean, fresh water. On really hot days, drop an ice cube into Fluffy’s bowl to cool it off.

Cold Treats

Who doesn’t enjoy a cold treat on hot days? Give your furball some chilled cat milk or sodium-free broth. Your feline buddy may also like refrigerated canned food or tuna in water.

Climate Control

Keep your cat indoors, in rooms cooled by fans and/or air conditioners. If you do let your feline pal out, limit her excursions during the hottest part of the day. Also, make sure that she always has shade, shelter, and water outdoors.

Ice Capades

Your cat’s paw pads are one of the only ways she can regulate her temperature. Fluffy may enjoy playing ‘hockey’ with an ice cube. This is a fun way for her to cool off. Plus, it’s super cute to watch!

Brushing

Brushing Fluffy regularly will also help keep her cooler. Dead fur and dander can make that pretty fur quite hot and itchy! This is also a good way to spend quality time with your kitty, and make her feel loved.

Kitty Hammock

Have you ever wondered why hammocks are so closely associated with tropical islands? They are cooler than regular beds, because they allow air to move beneath them. To make Fluffy a kitty hammock, get a piece of sturdy fabric and an end table or coffee table with four legs. Cut the cloth so that it’s a little smaller than the tabletop. Then, attach the corners to the table legs, and tell your furball not to sleep in it. She’ll immediately jump in!

Fans

Fluffy may enjoy having a fan pointed at her when she’s napping. Arrange a few fans so that she can sleep in the ‘breeze’ if she chooses.

Please call us, your San Jose, Jacksonville, FL vet clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!