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How to Keep Cats Extra Cool on a Hot Summer Day

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I’m extra protective over my cats, and I often go the extra mile to make sure that they’re comfortable. So when the summer time arrives, bringing 80+ degree days with it, I will take extra steps to make sure my babies are cool in every way possible.

When people get hot, we can sweat to cool down, grab a glass of ice water, or go to into an AC cooled store. Cats (and dogs) don’t have the same luxuries, so it’s up to us to help them stay cool. Here are a few tips for how to keep cats extra cool in the summer if you’re not able to afford central air or can’t leave a window AC unit on all day.

* Note: If you live in an area where the temperatures exceed 100 degrees regularly (hello Arizona), I definitely do not recommend ever leaving a pet inside without a proper cooling unit.

Avoid Cutting a Cat’s Hair Too Low

Some people groom their cats in the summer time as a way of keeping them cool, but after doing some research I found that leaving some hair on cats can actually help them stay cooler. So instead of shaving your kitty bald in the summer, ask your groomer to do a cut that will allow your cat to preserve some of his or her “air conditioning” fur.

Ice Water Bowl

One of the best ways to keep your cat cool is to ensure that he or she has plenty of really cold water throughout the day. If you must leave for more than a few hours, put a bowl of water in your freezer the night before and then set it out the next day. This will allow for the ice to slowly melt and stay cold for as long as possible. If your cat has an issue with knocking over his or her water bowl, see this post.

Pet Cooling Mats

I recently found a new innovation for cats and dogs that keeps them extra cool—a pet cooling mat. Your cat lays on it and experiences a cooling sensation for a few hours. This pet mat doesn’t require any electricity or a battery pack, which is a major plus. It contains a special gel that begins “recharging” as soon as your cat gets up. If you have two of them in your home, that should cover an entire summer day.

Window Fan

Cats just love to sit near open windows, no matter how hot it is outside. One way that you can keep them cool while being energy efficient is to buy a standard twin window fan. Your kitty will likely sit next to the fan and nap the afternoon away.

Turn Off the Lights…

During the day in the summertime, turn off all of the lights in your apartment or house. Open the blinds slightly instead to let some natural light into your home, or use heat blocking sheer curtains. Light bulbs often let off a lot of heat that can increase the temperature in a room by a few degrees. If you must leave a light on, make sure it’s an energy saving bulb.

Try a Mini Dehumidifier

Sometimes taking the hot muggy moisture out of the air can make a room feel cooler and more bearable. If you’re trying to save money and minimize energy usage, get a small energy efficient dehumidifier that can trap some of the moisture in one of the rooms of your house. Make sure you buy one that shuts off automatically when the water tank fills up.

Cats Instinctively Know How to Stay Cool

Cats have a biological instinct to manage their temperature and stay cool, even on hot summer days. They lick their fur, reduce activity, and find cool spots. Just keep an eye on them on the weekends when you’re home in the early morning and afternoon to see how they do on a really warm day without an AC on.

Whenever you’re able, consider buying a small, energy efficient window AC or portable AC and leave it on in one room of your house where your cats can go to enjoy some cool air.

Posted by Jade

 

Images courtesy of Amazon and Pixabay (buy someone a coffee!)

My First Trap, Neuter, Return TNR Experience (Advice, Tips and Pics Included)

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Recently I successfully completed my first TNR which is short for Trap Neuter Return. You trap a feral cat, get him neutered (or spayed for a female) and then return him to the Great Outdoors. It is beneficial to the cat, the kittens it wouldn’t be able to support on its own and the neighborhood as a whole. Knowing how simple the process is now, I wish I would have done this years ago.

I remember calling the local animal shelter to ask about how I can get a trap to set outside. They said all the traps were being used but they could put me on a list. I’m still waiting for them to call me back about that list.

I had a “duh” moment when I realized recently that animal traps can be purchased online for like $40 and you can use them over and over. Why didn’t they just tell me that??

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* Side note: these can also be used to trap raccoons, possums, squirrels and other pests. Pest control companies will charge $150+ to set the trap and then another fee to remove the raccoon or possum. Just buy the trap, catch the pest and pay someone for the pest removal.

Setting the Trap
I got the cat trap in the mail and soon learned how easy it was to set. The mechanism of the trap causes it to close as soon as the cat steps on a certain spot near the back. To set it you push up the door and hook a small lever into a latch. It is easy once you play around with it and give it a try, but be careful when putting the bait food at the back because it’s rigged to snap closed quickly.

See the little latch? That's what you use to set the trap mechanism.
See the little latch? That’s what you use to set the trap mechanism.

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The Bait
You have to choose your bait wisely when trying to trap cats because they are very smart and crafty. If the cat is very hungry he will probably walk into the trap no matter what kind of food is in there. A plain old can of wet cat food will do.

But if you have a cat that won’t willingly go, you have to offer some irresistible bait like tuna or sardines. It has to be very smelly to attract their attention. Leave a trail of the food leading into the trap if necessary.

When the Cat is Caught
The cat is going to freak out for a while after getting stuck in the trap. It’s best not to even watch because you might be tempted to let him go. Once you let him go there’s a slim chance he’ll ever fall for it again!

After about an hour, he will calm down and sit. Cover the trap with a burlap sack or blanket to keep him calm until you take him to the vet. I had to leave this one in there, covered, overnight.

The Vet Visit
Find a TNR vet in your area. They usually offer affordable spaying and neutering for feral cats. The one I found charges about $60 per cat (including shots). You’ll probably need to drop the cat off at a certain time and pick him up later. TNR programs know how to deal with feral/wild cats that aren’t used to being handled.

When I dropped off the feral cat I trapped the lady explained that older cats don’t always wake up from the surgery and that I had to sign a release. I was a bit sentimental, having known this particular feral for years, but I knew that it was necessary.

Thankfully this cat made it through just fine. They gave me a sheet full of instructions and his rabies shot credentials to take home. I waited another 24 hours, giving him a comfortable spot next to the house (the weather was warm) to sleep overnight, and then released him in the afternoon. He shot out of the cage, looked back at me for a moment, and then disappeared somewhere.

I smiled. Mission accomplished!

Posted by: Jasmine

5 Totally Sweet Things Cats Do When They Love You

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imageSo how do you know when your cat loves you? Here are five really sweet things that cats do when they adore you.

1) They try to bite (clean) you. When cats are very young they learn from their mothers how to clean themselves. The cleaning process involves biting the area gently and then licking. So when you see a cat doing that ( usually to your fingers) do not think he’s trying to hurt — he’s really trying to help you out with a bath! If it becomes annoying just gently stroke him on the head, thank him and move him out of your space.

2) They follow you around everywhere you go. I have had my share of “cat shadows” — they follow me everywhere that I go in the house from the bathroom to the kitchen to my work area, where they sit at my feet . When I’m outside doing yard work the cat tries to squeeze himself into the screen as if that will allow him to get to me. Cats do this when they have grown very attached to you and want to know where you are at all times.

3) They snuggle with you when you’re feeling down. Cats seem to have some type of sixth sense in knowing when you are feeling depressed or sad. They will come close to you and snuggle up to you when they sense that you’re sad.

4) They purr loudly when in your presence. A cat is very happy with you when he purrs very loudly. The purr is almost like a rumbling it’s so deep and intense.

5) They blink. When a cat blinks it is a sign that he is content and happy. If your cat stares at you and continually blinks slowly that is his way of saying I love you and I’m happy to have you in my life.

 

Written by: Lynn

Lynn Gilliard is a writer and author of life and dating advice books. Her latest work is Survive, Live or Thrive?