As a cat owner it is important for you to take extra precautions for your cat’s health during hot weather, otherwise, your cat may suffer from dehydration. Since your cat can’t tell you when it is feeling dehydrated, it is up to you to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and provide cooler living conditions if necessary to prevent overheating.

Pet cats don’t have the same street smarts as stray cats. They may not be able to find a cool place outdoors. If they do find one your cat will probably not come home until after the sun goes down. It’s a good idea, then, to keep your cat inside during hot weather. Concrete, which may be a cool place for your cat to lay when the weather is not hot, gets too hot for a cat’s tender paws during the hottest seasons.

If your cat travels in your car with you, never leave your cat in a parked car in the heat. The temperature in a closed car rises extremely rapidly in the heat. It can be harmful or even deadly to your cat.

Even when you try to park in the shade to prevent your car from heating up, as the sun moves throughout the day. The heat travels from hot areas to cold areas. Dogs can sometimes alert passers-by that they are in discomfort, but a cat is unable to do that and may die in as little as fifteen minutes. Always get your cat out of the car with you when you park.

Groom your cat to keep its fur short to help keep it cool. A good combing will remove shed fur that is hanging on adding a layer of heat insulation. Long-haired cats, like Persians and Siberians, almost leave you with no other option than providing a cooler environment.

Make sure your cat has access to clean water. Regardless of the season, it is important to allow your cat to stay well hydrated. Keep water cool by changing it a few times each day during hot weather. The goal is to keep your cat’s body temperature constant.