Mary Allen
Cats are bad drinkers and inevitably wear fur even on the hottest days. Nevertheless, the animals do not have to suffer in the summertime. Facts and tips about the heat.
While we humans sweat from every pore on extremely hot days, cats do not have damp fur even in the greatest heat. Can cats not sweat at all? “Cats sweat from their paws,” explains Lisa Grandt from the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Bern. On hot days, for example, you can see wet paw prints on laminate floors, whereby the cat not only regulates its heat balance but also marks each step. In contrast to dogs, panting is not part of healthy cat behavior. “Cats only pant when they are no longer feeling well. A panting cat should be taken to a vet immediately as it could be a sign of heatstroke, heart disease, or lung disease, among other things.”
Cats can first get sunburn and, in the long term, skin cancer from too much sun or UV radiation. According to Grandt, cats with white noses and ears are particularly at risk (and of course hairless cats). In theory, rubbing the exposed areas with a fragrance-free sunscreen designed for people once or twice a day is a very good way to prevent serious sunburn. In fact, most cats would not like to be creamed at all: “Moreover, they usually wipe it off immediately.”
The vet doesn’t think it’s a good idea to keep the cat in the house to protect it from excessive heat: “For many cats, going outside means a lot of quality of life.” Cats are also usually reasonable when dealing with heat and would look for a shady spot on their own if necessary (which of course must be available). Dogs must be given much more consideration in this context – on a bike trip. “Dogs play and run – actually until they drop.”
Many cats are bad drinkers. According to Grandt, if they are provided with enough clean water, most of them drink enough. If you are unsure, you can playfully encourage your cat to drink with moving water from the tap, the garden hose, or the drinking fountain. Distributing several bowls in the apartment is also recommended.
The tiled kitchen floor, the bathtub, or the stone floor under the basement stairs – cats look for cool places to lie down when it’s hot. If you want to help your cat with this, you can put a cloth in the fridge and then offer it to one of its favorite lying places. On the other hand, many animals do not like being cooled by a fan. In addition, direct drafts cannot cause a cold, but they can cause conjunctivitis, as Grandt explains. Lower the blinds and ventilate in the evening not only for cats but also for their human roommates. Tilt windows without tilt protection should be closed for the sake of the cat.
Because parasites like fleas, worms, and ticks are particularly active during the summer, Grandt recommends treating cats every month during this time of year with veterinarian-recommended remedies. Not least because fleas and ticks could transmit diseases.
When choosing the feed, no special adjustments need to be made. Apart from the fact that fresh meat or wet food does not stay edible for as long in warmer temperatures and if you are at home during the day, it is better to repeatedly give your cat small portions. Some cat owners also swear by soaking the dry food in a little tuna water on hot days.