Beat the Heat! 9 Tips to Keep Your Cat Cool

Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Holly Anne Dustin

Here in Maine we’ve had our first 90-degree day of the year and my AC is broken (of course.)  I noticed my cats were instinctively heading to the tile floors.  They were eating less until it cooled down at night.  Here are some tips to beat the heat and keep your cat cool.  Remember, even cats that are used to being outside should not be left out for long periods of time in the summer. Give your kitty the option of coming inside. Let your barn cats into a garage or other cooler space during the heat of the day.

Cats have a higher normal body temperature than people, usually around 100 to 102 degrees. Because of that, many cats handle warm weather better than we do. Even so, 78 to 80 degrees is a comfortable range for most cats. Long-haired breeds, like Ragdolls and Norwegian Forest Cats, feel heat more strongly because of their thick coats.

Keep Water Fresh and Easy to Reach:

 It is important to keep Kitty hydrated. Be sure your kitty has plenty of cool water to drink. Fresh water matters most on hot days. Older cats face a higher risk of dehydration, so give them plenty of chances to drink. Put out extra water bowls around the house, and make sure each cat has access to one.

Some cats like moving water, so a fountain can help. You can also leave a tap dripping a little or add ice cubes to the bowl. Some enjoy batting at the ice with their paws, which can help them cool off while they play.  Or take it up a notch and make your kitties a big ice ball to play with. It would probably be even more fun if it had small toys frozen inside.  Something I’ll definitely be trying the next time it is super hot here.

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Make Some Catsicles:

Offer frozen treats. Who doesn’t love a frozen treat when it is hot? A cold snack can help your cat stay hydrated and may also tempt a picky eater. Catsicles can be a nice option when the heat cuts into your cat’s appetite. You can freeze tuna water, sodium-free bone broth, or a small portion of wet food. Just about any cat will try a frozen, or at least refrigerated, Churu treat.

Keep the treats small and easy to lick. In a multi-cat home, a tray of little frozen bites can be handy when each cat wants something different. 

I offered my crowd a goat’s milk treat that they loved, but there are some fun recipes here and here that I’ll be trying in the future. 

Cool the Air:

You can help keep your cat cool even without central air conditioning.  Raise his bed off the floor to allow air to circulate under it. Put a small, secure fan on the floor to move the air around at Kitty’s level.  For more cooling power, add a frozen water jug behind it.

You can microsize this trick for use in a show shelter or car if necessary. Pack a battery operated camping fan or a mini fan that attaches to your phone and throw some frozen water bottles in a cooler.  That can keep Kitty cool in his carrier or show shelter on a hot day.

Let Them Chill:

Pull the shades on your west and north facing windows to keep the sun out. A frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel tucked in kitty’s lounging spot can cool him down.  He might like to hang out on a tile floor, the tub, sink or even the concrete of the basement floor.

A cooling mat, or a vest or bandana, can help keep your cat cool.  I use a cooling mat in my show shelter and the cats definitely appreciate it.  You can DIY one with some fleece and gel ice. It seems cumbersome for travel but with proper supervision, I think cats would appreciate a cooling bed like this at home.  Take care with the gel ice, the gel is nontoxic to humans but don’t let Kitty ingest it.

Grooming Helps:

Don’t shave your cats to keep them cool.  A cat’s fur coat insulates them against both hot and cold.  When they licks their coat the saliva will evaporate and help keep them cool.  You can help them with regular brushing to remove mats and excess undercoat.

If you feel a shave is necessary, shave just Kitty’s belly.  The tummy is one of the warmest parts of a cat so that will help them keep cool without damaging the protection that their coat gives them.  Running a damp cloth over the coat will help keep a cat cool.

Related Post: Keep Kitty Safe Inside and Out

Give Them Shade:

Light-colored cats and hairless breeds can burn in strong sun. If your cat goes outside, give them access to shade all day long. A tree, umbrella, canopy, or sun-blocking pet tent all work well.

Adventure cats need the same care. At the beach, park, or campsite, look for cover before letting your cat settle in. If you use a backpack, choose one with mesh sides and good airflow to best enjoy the beautiful scenery outside and get plenty of cool air. Avoid hard side bubble packs that trap heat.

If your cat ever seems overheated, move them to a cool room with good air flow right away. Take appropriate first-aid steps and call the vet.

Take a Siesta:

Let them rest during the hottest hours of the day. Cats naturally slow down in the middle of the day. That works in your favor during summer. Let your cats nap when the sun is strong, and save active play for morning or evening.

In a multi-cat house, this also helps keep the whole group calmer. A quiet room, a shaded perch, or a cool basement corner can become a shared nap spot.

Be Smart About Travel

Hot-weather travel needs planning. If you can leave your cat at home, that is often the safest choice. If you have to travel, bring a cooling mat or a towel-wrapped frozen bottle for the carrier. A battery-powered fan can help in an emergency, too.

Never leave a cat in a parked car. Plan on bringing your own food or doing the drive-thru. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can climb fast. The temperature inside a car parked in the sun with the windows cracked open on a 71 degree day can reach 116 in an hour. Newer cars have options to keep the AC running for a few minutes which can give you time for a potty break, but don’t plan to use it for a tour or sit down meal.

If you must drive on a hot day, go before 10 am or after 3 pm to prevent being out on the road in the prime heat. Use your AC liberally and keep an eye on your cats comfort. Prepare in case you break down away from home if you are going to be traveling long distance

Keep an Eye Out for Heat Stroke:

Heat stroke can turn serious fast. Warning signs include fast or noisy breathing, red or purple gums, thick drool, open-mouth panting, weak movement, vomiting, diarrhea, or sweaty paws. If you see these signs, move your cat to a shaded, cool place at once.

Wet the fur with cool water, encourage drinking, and contact your vet right away. If your cat will not drink, you may need to syringe small amounts of water, but get veterinary guidance as soon as you can.

Summary

Summer brings its own set of risks, but most of them are easy to manage with a little planning. Fresh water, shade, cool rest spots, and careful travel all help keep your cat cool when the heat settles in. Read here to learn more about how to keep your cats safe in summer.