Summer is just around the corner. Florida can be sweltering at this time of year. This can make life pretty uncomfortable for our feline friends. After all, Fluffy is wearing a fur coat! Here, a local Tampa, FL vet offers tips on keeping your kitty cool.

Water

The best thing you can do to keep your kitty cool and comfy is to simply make sure she stays hydrated. Keep Fluffy’s bowl filled with fresh water. If you have a large house, set out more than one water station. You may even want to get your four-legged pal a kitty drinking fountain. Some cats actually prefer to drink running water!

Cold Treats

While ice cream isn’t an appropriate treat for cats, you can drop an ice cube into your pet’s bowl. Fluffy may also enjoy a bowl of chilled beef or chicken broth. Just be sure to get the sodium-free type.

Brushing

Dead fur, dust, and dander can make Fluffy’s pretty coat feel quite hot and itchy! Brushing your feline buddy daily can also help keep her comfortable in hot weather.

Keeping Kitty Safe

We always recommend keeping cats indoors, where they are safe from traffic, gators, and other hazards. This goes double in summer, when heat and storms pose additional threats. Fluffy will be both safer and more comfortable indoors, in rooms cooled by fans or air conditioners.

Ice Hockey

Did you know that kitties only sweat through their paw pads? Those sensitive ‘toe beans’ actually help keep your furball cool. Offer Fluffy an ice cube to bat around on hot days.

Hammock Bed

There’s a reason that hammock beds are so closely associated with tropical islands: they are much cooler than regular beds. This is because they allow air to flow beneath them. Make Fluffy a kitty hammock by attaching a piece of sturdy material to the legs of an end table or coffee table.

Tracking Fluffy

One danger that cats face—especially in summer—is the possibility of getting trapped in a hot room. We all know that Fluffy likes to follow her humans around, so she can keep a close eye on them. Make sure you don’t accidentally lock your furry buddy in a shed or attic!

Do you have questions about caring for your cat? Please reach out to us, your local Tampa, FL vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!