When temperatures start to creep up it’s important to keep an eye on your cat and make sure they stay hydrated and safe in the sun. Our free guide has plenty of tips to help you keep your cat safe and happy.
For the most part, your cat should know if they’re getting too hot, but there are lots of things you can do to help make sure they stay cool and don’t overheat. Take a look at our video for advice on keeping cats cool:
You can help your cat stay cool in warmer weather by:
All cats can get sunburn, but cats who are white or have thinner fur are more at risk. Being out in the sun a lot can lead to skin cancer, so it’s important to make sure your cat doesn’t spend too long lazing in the sun.
Ears and noses are where your cat is most likely to get burnt. Keep an eye on them and make sure they have plenty of access to shady areas.
If your cat does get sunburn, there are a couple of symptoms to look out for, including:
If you notice this, make an appointment with your vet straight away.
The easiest way to make sure your cat doesn’t get sunburnt is to keep them inside when the sun is at its strongest (10am – 3pm) and make sure they have access to lots of shade both indoors and out.
You can put sunscreen on your cat, but you need to make sure it’s pet-safe first so speak to your vet about the best product to use. Make sure you use SPF30 or higher and that it’s waterproof.
You should apply sun cream to your cat’s nose, tips of the ears, belly and groin areas as well as anywhere that has thin to no fur to help protect them from the sun.
Avoid sun cream with zinc oxide and a group of chemicals that are referred to as salicylates in the ingredients. Both are toxic to cats and can cause them to be very unwell, particularly salicylates.
It’s important for your cat to get enough water. This can be through drinking and through eating wet food. Staying hydrated will help to keep your cat healthy and they may need to have even more water when the weather is warm.
If your cat doesn’t get enough water, they may become dehydrated. Signs your cat is dehydrated include:
If you are worried your cat is dehydrated, ring your vet straight away.
There are a few ways you can help your cat to stay hydrated: