Summer with Cats: Keeping Your Feline Friend Happy, Healthy and Safe

A fluffy orange tabby cat with a white chest lies comfortably on a sandy beach, facing to the right with its front paws crossed. The background is softly blurred, showing rippled sand, while small mounds of sand surround the relaxed cat.

Summer is a wonderful time of year, but while we often think about keeping dogs cool in the warmer weather, our feline friends need a little extra care too.

Whether your cat spends their days exploring the garden or prefers a sunny windowsill, here are our top tips for helping them stay safe and comfortable this summer.

☀️ Keep Cool

Cats are experts at finding warm spots to snooze, but during a heatwave they can struggle to keep cool.

Help your cat by:

Making sure fresh water is always available (try placing several bowls around the house).
Providing shady places indoors and outdoors.
Closing curtains in sunny rooms during the hottest part of the day.
Letting them choose where they feel most comfortable.
Consider a Pet Safe Cooling Mat

Some cats also enjoy drinking from a pet water fountain, which encourages them to stay well hydrated.

💧 Encourage Drinking

Cats are naturally poor drinkers, so dehydration can become a concern in hot weather.

Try:

Adding extra water bowls around your home.
Offering wet food alongside dry food.
Dropping an ice cube into their water bowl (some cats find this fascinating!).
Keeping water away from food bowls if your cat prefers it that way.

Older cats and those with kidney disease are particularly prone to dehydration, so keep a close eye on how much they're drinking.

🐾 Watch Those Paws

Decking, patios and conservatories can become surprisingly hot.

If you can't comfortably place your hand on a surface for several seconds, it's probably too hot for your cat's paws too.

🌿 Summer Garden Hazards

Summer gardens can hide a few dangers.

Be aware of:

Slug and snail pellets
Weed killers
Fertilisers
Cocoa shell mulch
Lilies (extremely toxic to cats - even the pollen)
Compost heaps, which can contain moulds harmful to pets

If you're using chemicals in the garden, always follow the safety instructions carefully and keep pets away until it's safe.

🐜 Fleas Love Summer Too!

Warm weather means flea season is in full swing.

Even indoor cats can pick up fleas, as they can be carried into the house on clothing or by visiting pets.

Regular parasite treatment helps protect not only your cat, but also your home from a full-blown flea infestation.

If you're unsure which flea treatment is best for your cat, we'd be happy to advise.

🦟 Tick Checks

If your cat enjoys exploring fields or woodland, check them regularly for ticks.

Ticks can attach around the head, neck and ears and should be removed carefully using a proper tick removal tool.

🦜 Wildlife Encounters

Summer means young birds, mice and other wildlife are abundant.

While hunting is a natural behaviour, fitting a brightly coloured breakaway collar or bell (if appropriate for your cat) may help reduce successful hunting.

If your cat does bring home injured wildlife, contact a local wildlife rescue for advice.

🚗 Holiday Visitors and Open Doors

Summer often means barbecues, parties and visitors.

With doors and windows open more frequently, make sure your cat has a quiet retreat if they prefer to escape the excitement.

If you're going away, arrange a trusted cat sitter rather than leaving food out for several days. Cats are happiest staying in their own familiar environment.

❤️ Know the Signs of Heatstroke

Although less common than in dogs, cats can suffer from heatstroke too.

Contact your vet immediately if your cat shows signs such as:

Heavy or open-mouth breathing
Lethargy or weakness
Excessive drooling
Vomiting
Collapse

Heatstroke is an emergency, so don't delay seeking advice.

Enjoy the Summer Together

Most cats cope brilliantly with warm weather when they have plenty of shade, fresh water and the freedom to choose where they spend their time.

A few simple precautions can help ensure your feline friend enjoys the summer just as much as you do.

If you have any concerns about your cat this summer, whether it's flea prevention, dehydration, heat-related illness or simply something that doesn't seem quite right, we're always here to help.

At Tribe Mobile Vets, we know that cats are often happiest being examined in the comfort of their own home. Our mobile service means less stress for you and your cat, and more time focusing on what matters most - their health and wellbeing.

Tribe Mobile Vets – Looking after you and your pets, every step of the way. 🐱💚