While the rest of us humans are dripping sweat and standing in front of window air conditioner units to stave off the summer heat, cats seem to have cool heads about it all.
Cats may not pant like dogs or sweat like humans, but they do have some pretty interesting and clever ways of staying cool.
Here are a few of the fascinating ways your cat beats the summer heat!
Sometimes They Need Help Staying Cool, Though
(Picture Credit: MamiGibbs/Getty Images)While your cat has a lot of innate abilities to keep their body temperature regulated during the hot season, sometimes cats need additional help.
Cats with black coats, longhaired breeds, or cats who are brachycephalic (short muzzled) are more prone to heat related injury or illness than other cats.
Be sure to always have clean water readily available for your cat and a cool and comfortable spot for them to rest.
Have you noticed your cat doing any of these things when the weather gets hot? How else does your cat stay cool in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
Ways Your Cat Stays Cool In The Summer
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They Sleep More
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If any species could get an award for the best napper, it would be cats.
During the summer months, you may notice your cat taking longer naps. It's not your cat being lazy, however. It's your cat being smart!
Cats, unlike their canine counterparts, know that exerting extra energy in the heat will only wear them down. They opt to sleep during the warmer parts of the day and reserve any activity for the cooler hours, like early in the morning or in the evening.
Make sure your kitty has a comfy place to rest. Maybe they'd like a new cat bed for their summer naps.
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They Rest On Cool Surfaces
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Do you ever notice how your cat seems to take a liking to your bath tub or the tile floor underneath your kitchen table during the summer?
Cats cool themselves off by placing their bellies on colder surfaces, which act like very mellow ice packs.
Provide your cat with shady, cool surfaces to take their naps on during the hot summer season.
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They Groom Themselves More
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Cats don't sweat like humans do, so they groom to keep themselves cool.
When cats groom themselves in hot weather, their saliva evaporates off of their coats, cooling them down just like our sweat does once it evaporates off our bodies!
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Their Fur Protects Them Like Magic -- So Don't Get Rid Of It!
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You may also notice your cat shedding a lot more. This is most likely from their undercoats, leaving them with just an outer coat.
All that shedding may lead you to think that giving your cat a summer shave is a good idea to keep them cool, but it's better to leave their coat as they are.
Cats' coats are amazing -- almost magical -- and act as thermal regulators, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can help your cat groom by brushing out any excessive undercoat, but don't give them a shave.
Here's a great brush to reduce your cat's shedding.
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They Drink More Water
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Although your cat may not be great at drinking water year round, cats have a natural inclination to drink more water during the warmer months, just like us humans. It may seem obvious, but this is not a skill all pets possess.
If it doesn't seem like your cat is drinking enough water during the hot months, be sure to have multiple bowls of water out. Feel free to put an ice cube in the water, as well, if you feel that will make hydrating more attractive to your cat.
You can also try out a cat water fountain that will keep their water flowing. Some cats find this more appealing than stagnant water in their bowls.
