Keeping Your Indoor Cat Cool in a UK Heatwave

We all know how horrible a UK heatwave can feel.

You wake up hot. The house is hot. The car is hot. You can’t remember why you ever complained about the rain.

And while we’re busy trying to keep ourselves cool, it’s really easy to forget that our cats are feeling the heat too.

Keeping your cat cool in a heatwave is just as important if they are an indoor cat as it is if they spend lots of time outside.

In fact, a hot house can become a real problem for cats, particularly if they are unable to get to a cooler, well-ventilated area. Cats are generally pretty good at finding somewhere comfortable, but they can still overheat, and some cats are more vulnerable than others. Long-haired cats, older cats, kittens, overweight cats and flat-faced breeds such as Persians can be at greater risk.

So, what can we actually do to help them?

Keep the curtains closed during the hottest part of the day

This one sounds ridiculously simple, but it can make a difference.

If the sun is coming straight through the windows, shut the curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day. Especially on windows that get direct sunlight.

It might make the house feel a little gloomy, but gloomy and cool is definitely preferable to bright and boiling.

You can open everything back up later when the temperature outside starts to drop.

Fresh water. Everywhere.

Don’t rely on one water bowl.

Put fresh water in a few different places around the house so your cat can easily find it wherever they’ve decided to spend the day.

And if your cat is anything like mine, they’ll probably ignore the perfectly lovely bowl of fresh water you’ve just put down and go and drink out of something completely ridiculous instead.

A plant pot.

The bath.

A glass you’ve left on the floor.

Whatever.

The important thing is that they have access to clean drinking water.

You can also add a few ice cubes to their water if they enjoy them. The RSPCA specifically recommends ice cubes in water as one way of helping pets stay cool.

Don’t worry if your cat looks at the ice cube as though you’ve personally offended them, though. Some cats are considerably more interested in playing with the ice than actually drinking the water.

Wet food can help with hydration

If your indoor cat eats wet food, this can be another useful way of getting extra moisture into their diet.

You can also speak to your vet if you’re concerned that your cat isn’t drinking enough, particularly if they have an existing health condition.

And don’t suddenly change your cat’s entire diet because it’s hot. Cats aren’t exactly famous for embracing change, and introducing a completely new food during a heatwave probably isn’t going to end well for anyone.

Give them somewhere properly cool to lie

This is where your cat will probably make you laugh.

You’ve spent money on a lovely cooling mat.

You’ve put it in the perfect position.

You’ve carefully placed your cat on it.

They leave.

And go and lie on the bathroom floor.

Or the kitchen tiles.

Or the one tiny patch of shade under a chair.

Cats are very good at finding the places they want to be, so let them.

Cool tiled floors, shady corners and rooms that don’t get direct sunlight can all make good resting places when it’s hot.

You can move their bed somewhere cooler too. They may not use it, obviously, because they’re cats and they have their own plans.

The important thing is giving them options.

Fans can help – but don’t point them directly at your cat

A fan can help move air around a room and make things more comfortable, but you don’t need to have it blasting directly at your cat.

Position it so that it helps with airflow rather than creating a constant stream of air straight onto them.

And make sure your cat can’t knock it over or get tangled up in cables. Because apparently heatwave safety isn’t enough – we also need to account for the fact that cats are tiny furry agents of chaos.

Grooming can help, especially with long-haired cats

If you’ve got a long-haired cat, regular grooming becomes even more important during hot weather.

Brushing helps remove loose fur and keeps the coat in good condition.

But please don’t shave your indoor cat just because you’re worried they’re too hot.

Their coat isn’t simply a fluffy blanket they’ve forgotten to take off. It also provides protection for their skin and helps with temperature regulation.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s coat or they have particularly thick or matted fur, speak to your vet or a professional groomer about the best option.

Let them slow down

Your cat probably isn’t going to want to run around like a lunatic when it’s 30 degrees outside.

And that’s OK.

Avoid encouraging lots of energetic play during the hottest part of the day. Let them sleep. Let them find their cool spot. Let them be a lazy little sausage for a few hours.

You can save the more energetic play for the cooler parts of the morning or evening.

Cats are generally very good at conserving energy when they need to, but it’s still important to keep an eye on them rather than assuming they’re fine simply because they’re lying down.

Keep indoor cats indoors during the hottest part of the day

If your indoor cat normally goes outside, you may find they naturally spend more time indoors when it’s particularly hot.

If they do go outside, make sure they have access to shade and water and somewhere they can retreat to.

It’s also worth being aware of sheds, garages, greenhouses and other enclosed spaces. Cats are brilliant at getting themselves into places they shouldn’t be, and a hot, poorly ventilated space can become dangerous very quickly.

PDSA says one of the most common causes of heatstroke in cats is being accidentally trapped somewhere hot and poorly ventilated, such as a shed, greenhouse, conservatory or garage.

So if you’ve got a cat who likes exploring, check those spaces before closing them up.

Don’t forget the evening

One of the best things you can do when the temperature finally starts dropping is let the house cool down.

Once it’s cooler outside than it is indoors, open windows and doors where it’s safe to do so and allow some air to move through the house.

During the day, though, opening every window because you’re desperate for a breeze can sometimes have the opposite effect if the air outside is hotter than the air inside.

Think keep the heat out during the hottest part of the day, then let the cooler air in when temperatures drop.

Simple, but surprisingly effective.

Know the signs of heatstroke

This is the really important bit.

Cats don’t normally pant like dogs do, so panting or fast breathing in a cat can be a sign that something is wrong, particularly if they’re also showing other symptoms.

Other signs of heatstroke can include drooling, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, wobbliness, collapse or seizures.

If your cat is showing signs of heatstroke, don’t wait to see if they get better.

Start cooling them and contact your vet immediately. PDSA advises starting cooling straight away and seeking veterinary help, as heatstroke can cause severe dehydration, organ damage and can be fatal.

If your cat just seems quieter than usual but is otherwise comfortable, it may simply be because they’re hot and choosing to conserve energy. But you know your cat.

If they’re acting noticeably off, trust your instincts and get advice.

So, how do you keep a cat cool in a heatwave?

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Keep the curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Give them plenty of fresh water. Make sure they have access to shade and cooler areas. Use fans sensibly to keep air moving. Keep an eye on long-haired cats and don’t encourage lots of energetic play when temperatures are at their highest.

And remember that your indoor cat doesn’t have to look distressed for the heat to be affecting them.

They might simply disappear under the bed and refuse to come out until approximately October.

Which, if we’re honest, is probably how some of us feel too.

A cool house, plenty of water, shady spots and somewhere comfortable to escape the heat is often all your cat needs to get through a hot spell safely.

Keep cool, keep your pets cool.

Heatwaves aren’t much fun, but with a little preparation, we can make them a lot safer for our furry family members.

And yes, your indoor cat will probably still choose the cardboard box over the expensive cooling mat.

Because obviously.

Useful resources

For more detailed advice about keeping pets safe during hot weather, the RSPCA’s summer animal welfare guidance is a useful UK resource. RSPCA – Animal welfare advice for summer

If you’re worried your cat may be suffering from heatstroke, PDSA’s guidance on heatstroke in cats explains the symptoms and what to do. PDSA – Heatstroke in cats