Home › Blog › How to Keep Your Cat Cool in the UK Summer

How to Keep Your Cat Cool in the UK Summer

UK summers are getting hotter, and while cats are generally better at self-regulating temperature than dogs, they're not immune to heat stress. Flat-faced breeds, long-haired cats, elderly cats and kittens are all at elevated risk. Here's how to keep your cat comfortable and safe when temperatures rise.

How Cats Regulate Temperature

Cats regulate temperature primarily through behaviour — seeking shade, limiting activity to cooler parts of the day, grooming (which uses evaporative cooling from saliva on the coat) and resting in cool spots. They sweat minimally through their paw pads but rely far less on this than on behavioural thermoregulation.

Because cats are highly motivated to find the coolest spot in a home, they're generally better at avoiding overheating than dogs. However, this self-regulation fails when the environment is uniformly hot (such as a car or unventilated conservatory) or when the cat is unable to move freely to find shade.

Understanding that cats are self-managing doesn't mean owners can be complacent — it means ensuring the cat has adequate options to cool down. Restricted access, limited water and excessively warm enclosed spaces are the environments where feline heatstroke occurs.

Practical Steps to Keep Cats Cool

Provide multiple sources of fresh, cool water around the home. Many cats prefer running water — a cat water fountain can significantly increase water intake, which is important for hydration and kidney health, especially in warm weather. Refresh water multiple times daily and consider adding ice cubes on hot days.

Ensure access to cool, shaded areas throughout the home. Stone or tile floors stay cooler than carpet and cats will naturally seek them out. A cool damp cloth placed on a tile can create a particularly appealing cool spot. Purpose-designed cooling mats (filled with gel that absorbs body heat) are available at most UK pet retailers.

If your cat is indoor-only, keep the home cool using curtains and blinds to block direct sunlight. Cross-ventilation (windows on opposite sides of the property) is more effective than a single open window. Fans don't cool cats as effectively as they cool humans but do improve air circulation.

At-Risk Groups

Brachycephalic cats — Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, British Shorthairs with flatter faces — are significantly more at risk of heat stress. Their compressed airways limit the effectiveness of panting (already less important in cats than dogs) and reduce their ability to dissipate heat. Keep these breeds in air-conditioned or cool environments during heat waves.

Long-haired breeds (Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Ragdolls) retain more heat in their coat. During summer, owners of these breeds should ensure coats are groomed and tangle-free (mats trap heat), and consider whether professional grooming for a summer clip is appropriate.

Elderly cats, those with heart or respiratory disease, and overweight cats all have reduced capacity for thermoregulation and should be monitored more closely during hot spells. Kittens also regulate temperature less efficiently than adult cats.

Outdoor Safety in Summer

If your cat goes outdoors, time outdoor access to avoid the hottest parts of the day. The period from midday to 4pm typically represents peak heat in UK summers — cats that come inside during this time and return in the evening are managing their temperature appropriately.

Ensure outdoor areas have shade: garden trees, shrubs and structures all help. A bowl of fresh water outdoors is beneficial for cats who don't voluntarily come inside during hot spells.

Hot pavements and surfaces can burn cat paws — on very hot days, test the ground with the back of your hand. If it's uncomfortable for you after five seconds, it's too hot for paw pads. This is less of an issue for cats, who tend to seek cooler surfaces, but matters for cats kept in confined outdoor spaces.

Recognising and Responding to Feline Heatstroke

Signs of heatstroke in cats include: rapid, noisy breathing or panting (unusual in cats); excessive drooling; bright red gums; distressed vocalisation; unsteady gait or collapse; vomiting. Unlike dogs, cats rarely pant — any panting in a cat is a serious warning sign requiring immediate action.

If you suspect heatstroke: move the cat to a cool area immediately; apply cool (not cold or iced) water to the fur, focusing on armpits, groin and neck; offer small amounts of water if the cat is conscious and willing; contact an emergency vet immediately.

Heatstroke causes rapid organ damage — do not delay seeking veterinary care while attempting to cool the cat at home. Cool the cat during transport to the vet, not instead of going.

Find a Vet Near You

If your cat shows signs of heatstroke, contact a vet immediately. Use CompareMyVet at app.comparemyvet.uk to find and compare vet practices near you, including emergency and out-of-hours services.