Summertime is a great time to get out and enjoy the weather, but it can also be a dangerous time for your Ragdoll cat. While your kitty may not seem to be affected by the summer heat, they can become dangerously overheated if left in a hot environment.
What Causes Cats To Overheat?
Cats are able to regulate their body temperature by panting, but in the summer months, they may overheat if they don’t have access to a cool place to rest. Overheating can cause a cat to become dehydrated and experience seizures, so it’s important to keep your cat cool and hydrated during the summer.
 How Can You Keep Your Cat Safe In The Heat?
Long haired cats tend to be more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious health condition that can occur when a person’s body temperature rises too high.
There are a few things you can do to keep your cat safe in the heat: keep them hydrated, provide shade, and make sure they have access to fresh air.
1: Make sure your cat has plenty of water and shade.
As a cat owner it is important for you to take extra precautions for your cat’s health during hot weather, otherwise, your cat may suffer from dehydration. Since your cat can’t tell you when it is feeling dehydrated, it is up to you to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and provide cooler living conditions if necessary to prevent overheating.
Make sure your cat has access to clean water. Regardless of the season, it is important to allow your cat to stay well hydrated. Keep water cool by changing it a few times each day during hot weather or invest in a water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more. The goal is to keep your cat’s body temperature constant.
A source of running water encourages pets to drink more rather than still water. This fountain has 2 spouts and 4 different drinking modes. The pump is quiet (below 40 dB).
2: Keep your cat inside during the hottest part of the day.
As a cat owner, it is important for you to take extra precautions for your cat’s health during hot weather, otherwise, your cat may suffer from dehydration. Since your cat can’t tell you when it is feeling dehydrated, it is up to you to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and provide cooler living conditions if necessary to prevent overheating.
As the temperature outside rises, consider keeping your cat inside the house. Ragdolls do not have the same coping skills as a stray cat. It’s up to you to provide a place for your cat to cool itself. A pet cat that has found a cool shade outdoors may not come home until after dark. Cement retains heat far too much and can cause injury to your cat’s sensitive paws or cause your cat to overheat.
3. Don’t leave your pet in the car
If your cat travels in your car with you, never leave your cat in a parked car in the heat. The temperature in a closed car rises extremely rapidly in the heat. It can be harmful or even deadly to your cat.
Even when you try to park in the shade to prevent your car from heating up, as the sun moves throughout the day. The heat travels from hot areas to cold areas. Dogs can sometimes alert passers-by that they are in discomfort, but a cat is unable to do that and may die in as little as fifteen minutes. Always get your cat out of the car with you when you park.
4. Regularly Groom your Ragdoll Cat
Regularly groom your cat to help keep it cool. A good combing will remove fur that is in the process of shedding, therefore adding a layer of heat insulation. Some people believe that giving their Ragdoll Cat a Lion Cut – or even a dragon cut! -will help it stay cool during the summer months, but this is not actually the case. A cat’s fur is there to help regulate body temperature, and therefore removing the fur can actually cause them to overheat. A cat’s coat is designed to trap hot or cold air and stop it from reaching the skin making them hot or cold. Additionally, a cat’s coat helps protect against sunburn.
5. Invest in a Pet Cooling Mat
When it gets hot, cats will look for ways to stay cool. Some of the ways they do this is by finding places to sit or lay down in order to avoid being too warm, this is where a pet cooling mat can help, especially if you don’t have air conditioning! These cooling cat beds are especially helpful for protecting senior or overweight cats from overheating since they can help them conserve their energy.
Stop your pet from suffering in the summer heat with a Cat Cooling Mat. The Pet Cooling Mat is made of three layers: a cool touch ice silk, high-quality cotton and a breathable mesh. It’s super comfort and soft design means it will be your pet’s new favorite spot to sit, lay or sleep. The cooling mat works by using cool fabrics to stay cool and contains no poisonous chemicals, polymers, glues, crystals or phase change materials.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Overheats?
If your cat overheats, you should take them to the vet. If your cat is not showing any signs of distress, you can try to cool them down by placing them in a cool place, giving them water, or spraying them with a cold mist.
By keeping your cat cool and safe during the summer months, you can help prevent them from becoming overheated and suffering any negative effects.
