Cool For Cats

Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe in the Summer. 

We’ve already had a glimpse of warm, sunny weather and it feels like summer is just around the corner, but while we’re looking forward to ditching the winter woollies and getting outside and enjoying the sunshine, we need to spare a thought for our furry (and non-furry) feline friends. In recent years, the UK has seen rising temperatures, with ‘extreme heat days’ becoming more common, and while we know that cats have a special knack for seeking out sunny spots to lie in, there is such a thing as being too warm – even for a cat.

We spoke to our friends at The Insurance Emporium, who have been providing specialist cat insurance for many years; they know all about cats and keeping them safe, so they’ve given us a short guide to keeping your cat safe through the summer months.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

It’s important to make sure your cat has access to plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Some cats will happily try to drink anything; from a dripping tap to the dregs of a cup of tea, but if your cat needs encouragement, here are some tips:

• Keep their water bowl separate to their food bowl or litter tray as cats often don’t like drinking water near their food or (understandably) their toilet.
• Try different water bowls; your cat may prefer a ceramic or metal bowl, others might like a plastic bowl. Some like wide, flat bowls with a small amount of water in, others like a deeper bowl filled to the brim.
• Some cats will only drink from running water, so you could offer them a drink from the tap, or get a special water fountain for cats.
• Have a few different water bowls in different parts of your house and garden so that they have constant access to cool, clean water.
• You might have a cat who prefers rain water, so you could have a bowl outside to catch it or fill their bowl from a water butt.

Signs of dehydration:

• Sticky gums
• Sunken eyes
• Cold/cool paws
• Less pliable skin – if you gently pinch their skin, it should spring back into place straight away, if not it could be a sign of dehydration.

Keep Your Home Cool and Well-Ventilated

It can still get very hot inside, so keeping curtains and blinds closed during the day can help, as can using a fan, but be careful around open windows and balconies. A curious cat looking for a cool breeze could fall out of an open window/balcony and be seriously injured. Tip and tilt windows can let air in without letting the cat out, or you could put wire mesh, netting or a screen over the windows/doors/balcony.

Sunscreen

Cats can get sunburn too, which could lead to skin cancer, particularly white cats, cats with thinner fur and hairless cats, so keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not spending too much time in the sun.

Signs of sunburn include red, sore, peeling skin (especially on the ears and nose) and while you can put sunscreen on your cat, it needs to be pet-friendly as suncream containing zinc oxide and chemicals known as ‘salicylates’ can be toxic to cats.

It’s a good idea to keep them indoors when the sun is at its hottest (between 10am and 3pm), as trees and shrubs offer some protection but not always enough.

Keep on Top of Grooming

Having too much hair can keep the heat trapped in, so removing excess hair will help your cat feel more comfortable in hot weather. And don’t worry if your cat seems to be grooming themself more than usual, the saliva on their fur cools them down as it evaporates.

Ice, Ice Baby

You could try putting ice cubes in their water bowls to keep the water cool. Just putting a few ice cubes on a hard floor will provide entertainment as well as cooling down their paws as they push them around; it’s a good way of keeping them occupied in a relaxed way that won’t make them get too excited and overheat.

How about making them a special cat ice lolly? This will entertain them, keep them cool and give them a treat, just freeze some spring water from a can of tuna, or make up some low-salt chicken stock and freeze that (just remember to label them in your freezer so that the humans of the household don’t get a salty, fishy treat when they reach in for a nice, refreshing ice lolly...).

Look Out for Signs of Heatstroke

Heat/sun can affect cats in the same way it can affect humans, even when it’s cloudy, so it’s worth knowing what to look out for:

• Lots of stretching
• Rapid breathing
• Signs of distress or agitation
• Hot to touch
• Glazed eyes
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting

Remember, if your cat is behaving differently, you notice changes to their skin, or you have any concerns about them in hot weather, contact your vet for advice.

Other Things to Think About 

• Check sheds, greenhouses and garages before shutting the doors; cats are renown for getting into tricky spaces so they can easily get trapped and overheat.
• Don’t leave animals in cars, caravans, conservatories etc.
• Give your cat a damp towel to lie on, or an ice pack wrapped in a towel.

The British weather can be unpredictable, and so can our cats, but if we keep an eye on them we can all enjoy the summer weather safely; cats are part of the family, each with their own unique personality and we want the best for them. Cat insurance is another way to ensure peace of mind. The Insurance Emporium has a range of cover levels to choose from. Get a quote today with up to 30% discount on new policies, including a 20% Introductory Discount* and 10% Multi-Pet Discount**.   

Visit www.theinsuranceemporium.co.uk/ECAT99 or call their friendly team on 03300 241 523.  

*The 20% Introductory Discount is available from the start of the policy until its first review/renewal date. Policy is subject to change at any time. **The multi-pet discount is either applied at inception of any new pet policies or at renewal of existing pet policies.   

The Insurance Emporium offers a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. Excesses may apply. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.   

Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.