Hello there, human! It’s me, your feline friend. Since the weather’s warming up and the sun is shining, I thought it would be the perfect time to take you through a summer’s day in the life of a cat. And while you might think we cats in summer just nap all day, we actually have quite the routine!
Although, now you mention it, it does involve a fair bit of napping…
Anyway, back to the point. Sit back, grab an iced tea (and perhaps a frozen treat for me), and enjoy. And who knows? You might just pick up some tips to help with keeping cats cool in summer, too!
Early Morning—The Coolest Time to Play
The early hours: when the sun is just beginning to peek through the curtains. This is the best time for some activity before the heat really kicks in.
We cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning we’re most active at dawn and dusk. So, what better than a good stretch and some exercise? Perhaps I’ll take part in some playtime, climb up my cat tree, or even get down to some good, old-fashioned zooming—that always seems to wake my humans up nicely!
Tips for the Morning
Morning is a good time to offer an interactive play session with your cat, such as with a feather wand or a fishing rod toy. You could even pop my breakfast into an activity feeder to get my brain and body going.
And don’t forget, we’re talking about summer here! Open the curtains to let in some sunlight and create a few cosy spots for me to bask in once I’ve finished my morning patrol. And please remember to refill my water bowl. Some nice, fresh water is essential for keeping us cats cool in hot weather.
Midday—Too Hot to Handle
By midday, the chances are the weather is getting a little toasty. You might still be bustling about, but we summer cats know better. I’ll seek out the coolest corners of the house, whether that’s the tile floor in the bathroom or perhaps even that shady spot under your bed where you can’t reach me. Or better yet, plopped down in front of a fan! Now that’s the ultimate day in the life of a cat in summer.
Tips for Midday
Keep the water flowing. I love having multiple bowls or a cat fountain around the house. You could also pop an ice cube in as well for a bit of fun while helping to keep us cats cool in the summer heat.
It’s also a good idea to keep the blinds drawn in hot rooms to block out the sun. In other rooms, you could set up a bird feeder on the window, so I have something to watch while I get down to some serious chilling. And bonus points for plugging in a FELIWAY Optimum diffuser to help the home feel calm and secure when I’m lounging.
Afternoon—Treats & Tidy-Ups
After my midday nap, I might saunter out for a snack or something chilled. Perhaps one of those frozen tuna water cubes you made last week? Yum.
Then it’s time for my favourite bonding ritual: a good brush with my human! Not only does it feel great, but it also helps remove any excess fur, which can help keep us cats cool in hot weather. Less fur on your furniture, too.
Tips for the Afternoon
Make our grooming session even more enjoyable with some positive reinforcement, like a tasty reward. If it’s particularly warm, you could also try stroking my fur with slightly damp hands to help cool me off.
But remember, there’s nothing more important to me during the afternoon than my nap time! Well, that and staying hydrated. In any case, make sure I have access to my favourite napping spots, especially elevated ones near windows.
Evening—Time to Play (Again)!
As every self-respecting cat knows, there’s no such thing as too much of a good time. Which is handy, because as the day cools down, my energy begins to perk back up. And you know what that means? It’s prime time for more zoomies, pouncing, and quality time with my humans!
Tips for the Evening
The cooler evening gives us an opportunity to get some bonding time in together, particularly if you’ve been busy or it’s been too hot earlier in the day. It’s not just for fun, either; it’s also good for my mental health and helps me wind down. And if we didn’t get our grooming session in earlier, now’s another good chance.
Night—The End of the Day
With my belly full and my paws tired out, I know exactly what I’m going to do next: curl up in my favourite bed for the night! Sometimes I prefer the windowsill, other times it’s the sofa. I do love some variety.
Tips for Nighttime
One last thing for us summer cats: please make sure my bed is quiet, comfortable, and away from the heat. I should also have access to a clean litter tray, and it may be a good idea to leave out a toy in case I feel playful in the early hours. After all, tomorrow, another day in the life of a cat begins!
Final Tips for Keeping Cats Cool in Summer
If you want to keep us cats in hot weather happy, here are a few bonus tips:
- Offer wet food more often to help with hydration.
- Let us access cool surfaces like tiles or sinks.
- Use fans or air con to circulate air (safely).
- Never trap us in hot rooms without airflow or shade.
- Apply pet-safe sunscreen to exposed skin (like my ears or nose) if I have pale fur and spend time sunbathing.
For even more ideas, check out our previous article exploring 10 great tips for keeping us cats cool!
Otherwise, that’s my typical sunny day wrapped up. Every day in the life of a cat is a little different, but summer brings its own special rhythm. And remember, if you spot any signs of overheating—such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or vomiting—move your cat to a cooler area and contact your vet immediately.
Want more feline wisdom from yours truly? Check out the FELIWAY blog for more advice, including all our articles from a kitty’s point of view, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for updates straight into your inbox!