How to keep cats cool in summer is one of those questions that comes around every year, usually right about the time your cat decides the sunniest windowsill in the house is the only acceptable place to sit. Cats are drawn to warmth by nature, but they're not always brilliant at knowing when they've had enough of it.
Most cats will manage fine in mild summer weather. But when temperatures climb, and especially during the kind of heatwaves we've been seeing more often in the UK, a bit of extra thought goes a long way. If you've been wondering how to keep cats cool in hot weather, this covers the practical stuff: how to keep your home comfortable, what to watch for, and what to do if things go wrong.
Why cats struggle in hot weather
Cats can't cool down the way we do. They don't sweat through their skin like humans. Instead, they rely on licking their fur (the evaporation helps lower body temperature) and seeking out cooler spots. They do sweat a tiny amount through their paw pads, but it's nowhere near enough to make a real difference on a hot day.
A cat's normal body temperature sits between 38.1 and 39.2°C. If it rises above 40°C, they're at risk of heatstroke, which the PDSA describes as a very serious condition that can cause seizures, organ damage, and death. Unlike dogs, who tend to overheat through exercise, cats almost always develop heatstroke from being stuck somewhere too warm. The most common cause in the UK is being accidentally shut in a shed, greenhouse, conservatory, or garage on a warm day.
That's a scenario most cat owners can picture all too easily. Your cat slips in while you're pottering around, you close the door without checking, and the temperature inside climbs fast.
Which cats are most at risk?
Any cat can overheat, but some are more vulnerable than others. According to the PDSA, the cats most at risk include:
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Flat-faced breeds like Persians. Cats lose a lot of heat through their nose as they breathe out. Brachycephalic cats have much less space inside their nasal passages, which makes it harder for them to release that heat. They can struggle even on days that don't feel particularly warm to us.
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Overweight cats. The PDSA's PAW Report estimates that around 34% of cats in the UK are overweight or obese. Extra weight makes it harder for a cat to regulate their body temperature, so if yours is carrying a few extra grams, they'll feel the heat more.
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Long-haired cats. All that fur acts as insulation, which is great in winter but works against them in summer.
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Very old cats and young kittens. Both ends of the age spectrum are less efficient at regulating body temperature.
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Cats with heart or lung conditions. Any underlying health issue that affects breathing or circulation can make hot weather riskier.
How to keep cats cool at home
You don't need anything fancy to keep your cat comfortable when temperatures rise. Most of it comes down to managing your home environment and giving your cat options.
Close curtains on the sunny side of the house during the hottest part of the day. It sounds obvious, but it makes a noticeable difference to room temperature, especially in south-facing rooms.
Leave internal doors open so your cat can find the coolest room. Cats are good at seeking out tiled floors, shaded corners, and spots with a bit of airflow. Let them roam and choose.
Set up a fan to keep air circulating, but don't point it directly at your cat. Most cats aren't keen on a blast of air in the face, but they'll happily settle near a fan that's moving air around the room.
Offer cool surfaces to lie on. A damp towel laid flat on the floor works well, or you can try a pet cooling mat. Some cats take to these straight away; others will ignore them entirely in favour of the bathroom tiles, which is fine too.
Wrap a frozen water bottle in a towel and place it near your cat's favourite resting spot. Don't put it right next to them or force them to lie on it. Just make it available and let them decide. The RSPCA also suggests putting ice cubes in their water bowl, which can help keep drinking water cooler for longer.
How to keep indoor cats cool in summer without AC
If you're wondering how to keep cats cool in summer without air conditioning, it takes a bit more thought when your cat lives indoors full-time, but it's perfectly doable.
Cross-ventilation is your best friend. Open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a through-draught. But here's the important bit: if your cat has access to upper floors, you need to make those windows safe first.
Every summer, vets across the UK see cats with serious injuries from falling out of open windows. The Blue Cross has issued repeated warnings about this, and a 2025 peer-reviewed study on high-rise syndrome found that 77% of cat fall injuries happen during the summer months. Tip-and-tilt windows, mesh screens, or purpose-made cat-safe window guards let air in without giving your cat a route out. They're inexpensive, easy to fit, and could prevent a trip to the emergency vet.
Keep blinds partially closed in rooms that get direct afternoon sun. Even a half-drawn blind knocks back a surprising amount of heat.
Create a dedicated cool zone. Pick the coolest room in the house (usually a north-facing room or one with tiled flooring) and set it up with water, a cooling mat, and a fan. Indoor cats will often gravitate there naturally once they realise it's the most comfortable spot.
Play during the cooler hours. Schedule active play sessions for early morning or late evening when temperatures drop. During the middle of the day, let your cat nap. They'll regulate their own activity levels if you give them the chance.
Keeping your cat hydrated
Dehydration is one of the bigger risks in hot weather, and cats aren't always the most enthusiastic drinkers. A few adjustments can make a real difference.
Place water bowls in several spots around the house, not just next to their food. Cats Protection recommends moving water bowls away from food and litter areas, as many cats prefer not to drink near where they eat or go to the toilet.
Use a wide, shallow bowl. Cats don't like their whiskers touching the sides of a narrow bowl. A wide ceramic or glass dish, filled to the brim, tends to go down better than a deep plastic one.
Consider a water fountain. Some cats are far more interested in running water than a still bowl. A pet fountain can encourage a reluctant drinker to take in more fluid, which is especially useful during warmer months.
Add wet food to their diet. This is one that often gets overlooked. Wet cat food is around 75-80% moisture, so switching from an all-dry diet to a mix of wet and dry can quietly boost your cat's water intake without you having to do anything extra. Our Harringtons wet cat food is made with freshly prepared meat and fish and can be a simple way to get more fluid into your cat's day, especially in summer.
Signs of dehydration to watch for
Cats Protection lists a few things to look out for:
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Sticky or tacky gums (healthy gums should feel moist)
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Skin that doesn't spring back quickly when gently pinched at the scruff
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Sunken or dry-looking eyes
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Paws that feel cool or cold to the touch
If you spot any of these, contact your vet. Dehydration can escalate quickly in warm weather.
Summer feeding tips
Cats tend to eat a bit less in summer than they do in winter. That's normal. They're not burning as many calories keeping warm, so their appetite naturally dips. If your cat seems less interested in food when it's hot, don't panic. Just keep an eye on whether they're still eating regularly, even if the portions are smaller.
A few things to keep in mind when temperatures are up:
Don't leave wet food out for too long. In warm weather, wet food can spoil much faster than usual. Put it down at mealtimes and take away anything that's not been eaten within 30 minutes or so. Nobody wants to eat warm, dried-out food, and bacteria grow faster in the heat.
Feed during the cooler parts of the day. Early morning and evening tend to be when your cat is most likely to have an appetite anyway. Adjusting mealtimes to match the cooler hours can help.
Try frozen treats. Scoop a little wet food into an ice cube tray and freeze it overnight. It's a simple way to offer something cool and stimulating on a hot day. You can also freeze the liquid from a tin of tuna (in spring water, not brine) for a treat that doubles as enrichment.
Sunburn and skin cancer
This one catches some cat owners off guard. Cats can and do get sunburnt, and repeated sun damage can lead to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. The PDSA notes that this is most common on the ear tips, nose, and eyelids, particularly in white or light-coloured cats who have less melanin to protect their skin.
The early signs are easy to miss: a bit of redness, some flaky skin, or a small scab that doesn't seem to heal. If you notice anything like this on your cat's ears or nose, especially during or after summer, get it checked by your vet sooner rather than later.
To reduce the risk:
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Keep your cat indoors between roughly 10am and 3pm when UV levels are highest
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Apply pet-safe sun cream (SPF 30 or above, waterproof) to exposed areas like ear tips and the nose. Cats Protection warns against sun cream containing zinc oxide or salicylates, as both are toxic to cats
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If your cat is white or has pale ears and nose, they're at higher risk and may need extra protection
Signs of heatstroke and what to do
Heatstroke can come on fast, and knowing the signs could make the difference between a full recovery and something much worse. The PDSA lists the following symptoms:
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Panting and rapid breathing (cats rarely pant, so this is always worth paying attention to)
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Bright red or very pale gums
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Drooling
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Vomiting or diarrhoea
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Wobbliness, confusion, or collapse
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Seizures
If you think your cat has heatstroke, act quickly. Move them to a cool room or into the shade straight away. Pour cool (not ice-cold) water slowly over their body, avoiding their nose and mouth. Turn a fan on, offer a drink of cool water, and place them on top of a cold, wet towel rather than covering them with one. Covering a cat with a wet towel can actually trap heat in.
Then call your vet. The faster a cat with heatstroke is cooled down and treated, the better their chances. Mild cases caught early usually recover well, but delays can lead to organ damage.
Don't forget to check before you close up
This deserves its own mention because it's the single most common cause of heatstroke in cats across the UK. Before you shut the door on a shed, greenhouse, garage, conservatory, or car, take five seconds to check your cat isn't inside.
Conservatories are a particular risk. They heat up fast, even on days that feel mild outside, and a cat trapped in one with no ventilation and no water can be in serious trouble within a couple of hours. The RSPCA notes that temperatures inside cars and conservatories can reach 47°C, which can be fatal.
Make it a habit. Every time you close something up, check first.
