How to Keep Your Cats Cool in Summer: The Ultimate Pet Heatwave Survival Guide!

Summer is here, and while we’re basking in air conditioning and sipping iced drinks, our feline overlords are dramatically flopping onto the floor, sighing heavily, and acting like the heat is a personal attack. Unlike us, cats can’t strip off layers or crank up the AC when things get too warm—so it’s up to us to ensure they stay cool, comfortable, and utterly unbothered.

Whether your cat is a certified sun-worshipper or prefers to lounge in the shadows like a tiny, furry vampire, this guide is packed with expert tips, cooling hacks, and must-have products to help them beat the heat. From breezy nap spots to sun-safe window perches and DIY chill zones, we’re covering everything you need to keep your kitty cool all summer long.

Because let’s be real—if your cat is uncomfortable, you’re going to hear about it.

As such, I’ve included them in the conversation upfront. Yip, they have a lot to say on the topic starting with Mittens, our resident AC expert. So dear Cat Lover, welcome to the Chill Zone – there’s lots to learn!

How to Keep Your Cat Cool in Summer: Heat Safety Tips for Felines

Cats may look like they’ve perfected the art of keeping cool, but even these graceful loungers can overheat in high temperatures. Panting, drooling, or restlessness are tell-tale signs that your feline friend is struggling with the heat.

Keeping your cat cool during the sweltering summer months requires thoughtful solutions. Here are a variety of products and strategies to ensure your feline friend stays comfortable, whether they’re basking inside or enjoying an outside jaunt around the neighbourhood.

Best Cooling Products for Cats: Mats, Beds and More to Beat the Heat

Cats are creatures of comfort, and a gel-based cooling mat provides them with a soft, chilled surface to lounge on during hot days. These mats are self-cooling, foldable and portable, making them a great addition to your cat’s favourite resting spots.

Place one in their bed, by a sunny window, or anywhere your kitty loves to relax. Cooling mats are especially beneficial for long-haired breeds, who may struggle more with summer heat.

Can Cats Get Sunburned? Outdoor Sun Safety and Sunscreen Tips for Felines

Hairless breeds like the Sphynx or cats with light-coloured noses and ears are prone to sunburn. A dab of cat-safe sunscreen applied before they venture outside can shield them from harmful UV rays. Always opt for products specifically formulated for cattos or babies and children—regular hooman sunscreen can contain scent and toxic ingredients like zinc oxide.

Best Cooling Fans & AC Tips for Cats: Keeping Your Home Cat-Comfortable

Fans aren’t just for hoomans—cats appreciate a gentle, cool breeze too! Place a small, quiet fan in their favourite room, making sure the airflow isn’t too strong or directed straight at them.

If you have air conditioning, use it to maintain a comfortable inside temperature for your cat. Ideal room temperatures for cats range from 18–24°C, so setting your AC accordingly can make a world of difference. It’s also advisable to keep doors open so your cat can move to a cooler room if needed. Or a warmer room depending on your cat’s current whim.

Here we go, the first bit of feedback from the catto ranks:

DIY Cooling Hacks for Cats: Easy Tricks to Keep Your Feline Chill

If your cat is dramatically sprawled across the floor, sighing like the heat is a personal betrayal, it’s time to step up your cooling game. Sure, shade and tiled floors are a great start, but let’s get creative. Here’s an arsenal of next-level DIY cooling hacks that even the most judgmental feline will approve of (eventually).

1. Ice, Ice, Maybe: The Frozen Cooling Collection

Cats aren’t fans of wet things (unless they’re knocking over your water glass on purpose), but frozen solutions can provide relief—without the soggy betrayal. Here’s how to use the power of ice without offending their delicate sensibilities:

Frozen Water Bottles: A DIY Cat Air Conditioner

• Take a sealed water bottle, freeze it overnight, and wrap it in a soft cloth (because, obviously, Her Majesty refuses direct contact with peasant-level cold).

• Place it near their favourite napping spot or inside their hideout to create a cool pocket of air.

• Pro tip: Swap out bottles throughout the day to maintain the chill factor.

The Frozen Sock Trick: A Cool Companion

Fill a clean sock with rice or dry beans and place it in the freezer for a few hours. Once chilled, it becomes the perfect cooling cushion for your cat—unlike an ice pack, it won’t melt or create a soggy mess. Plus, it molds perfectly to their royal physique, making it an ideal throne for lounging in style while staying cool.

The Marble Chill Pad: A Luxury Cooling Surface

• Grab a large marble tile, baking sheet, or smooth stone slab and pop it in the fridge overnight.

• In the morning, place it in their favourite lounging area—they’ll find it when they’re ready to bless it with their presence.

• Will they use it? Maybe. Will they sit next to it out of spite? Absolutely.

2. The Breezy Lounge Collection: Airflow Like a Pro

Cats demand the perfect amount of breeze—not too strong, not too weak, and preferably not messing up their whiskers. If you fail to provide it, they’ll just give you that disappointed look and meow in protest.

The DIY Cooling Curtain: Turn Any Window into an AC

Dampen a lightweight cotton sheet and hang it over an open window or near a fan. As the air passes through, the moisture cools it down, creating a natural A/C effect without the need for blasting artificial air all day. This simple trick provides your cat with a cool, breezy nap spot where they can relax comfortably—no overheated floor-flopping necessary and no skyrocketing electricity bills for you.

Elevated Beds: Because Heat Rises, and So Must They

• Raise their bed just a few inches using sturdy books, wooden blocks, or low stands.

• This lets air circulate underneath, turning their bed into a ventilated luxury suite.

• Extra credit: Swap out plush bedding for breathable cotton, bamboo, or linen fabrics—no one wants to nap on a heat-trapping fluff pile.

Lord Paddy has the floor hoomans, let’s hear what he has to say:

"Ah, yes. Finally, the peasant has grasped the concept of proper airflow. Now, if you could also arrange for a light, refreshing scent to waft through—perhaps tuna or roasted chicken—this setup would be acceptable."
— Lord Paddington Fluffsworth, Expert in Climate Control & Lounging

3. Cool Hideouts & Chill Caves: Escape the Heat in Style

Your cat loves enclosed spaces, but in summer, those cosy spots turn into tiny saunas. Here’s how to transform them into refreshing retreats.

The DIY Cardboard Cool Cave

Grab a cardboard box—bonus points if it’s from a recent online shopping spree because, let’s be honest, the box is always the real prize for your cat. Line the inside with a cool, dry towel or a chilled cooling mat to create a comfortable retreat. Then, flip the box on its side and place it in a shaded area, giving your cat a perfectly cozy, heat-proof hideout that they’ll claim as their new favorite spot. The enclosed space traps cool air and gives them a secret summer hideout.

The Ice Pack Hidey-Hole: Sneaky Coolness

For the cat who insists on squeezing into the warmest, least logical spaces.

• Take a sealed ice pack (or a frozen water bottle wrapped in a cloth).

• Place it behind or underneath their favorite hideout—whether it's a tunnel, a cardboard box, or (let’s be honest) your laundry basket.

• It creates a cool zone without directly touching their royal fluff.

4. Chilled Playtime: Heat Can’t Cancel Zoomies

Summer makes cats lazy, but that doesn’t mean playtime is canceled. You just need to make it cooler.

Frozen Toys for the Win

• Toss a few favorite cat toys into the fridge for 15 minutes before playtime.

• Cool toys keep paws refreshed, and the new texture adds a little excitement to their daily routine.

• Bonus points: If they bat it under the couch, at least it won’t melt.

The Cool Catnip Play Zone

• Sprinkle a cool, damp towel with a little catnip and lay it out as an interactive chill zone.

• Cats get their nip fix while cooling off—it’s a spa day meets party time situation.

5. Hammock and Hideout Upgrades: The VIP Lounge Treatment

Because elevated lounging = superior lounging.

DIY Cool Hammock: Suspended Comfort with Built-In Airflow

To create a cool and comfortable lounging spot for your cat, try attaching a sturdy fabric hammock under a side table or within their cat tree. If they already have a hammock, consider swapping out fleece for more breathable materials like mesh or linen, which help regulate temperature better in warm weather. Suspended hammocks naturally allow air to circulate underneath, providing a refreshing and ventilated resting spot—keeping your cat cooler than a cucumber on ice.

The Shady Window Retreat

• Cats love window seats, but direct sunlight = kitty roast mode.

• Set up a DIY sunshade using reflective film, solar mesh, or UV-blocking curtains.

• Bonus: It also protects their luxurious fur from sun bleaching (because, yes, that’s a thing).

Keeping Cats Cool Without Offending Their Dignity

Cats demand options. Some days, they’ll seek out the cool marble slab you painstakingly prepared. Other days, they’ll dramatically flop onto the hottest patch of carpet just to keep you on edge. The key to beating the heat is to give them plenty of choices—and let them decide which ones they’ll actually use.

A Final Word from Her Majesty:

How to Keep Your Cat Hydrated in Summer: Water, Ice and Wet Food Tricks

Hydration can be tricky with cats, but you can turn drinking water into a treat. Add ice cubes to their water bowl to create a refreshing, interactive experience. Cattos love their drinking fountains with perpetually running water, why not see if your feline will cosy up to one and improve their hydration?

Wet cat food provides essential hydration, especially for cats who don’t drink enough water on their own. Since cats naturally have a low thirst drive—an evolutionary trait from their desert-dwelling ancestors—many don’t drink enough to stay fully hydrated. Wet food contains about 70-80% moisture, significantly boosting their water intake with every meal.

Proper hydration supports kidney function, urinary tract health, and digestion, reducing the risk of dehydration-related issues like urinary crystals and kidney disease. It’s an easy, tasty way to keep your cat hydrated without relying solely on their water bowl.

I believe Ms Whiskers has the floor:

"Listen, hooman. I don’t hate water—I just prefer it at a distance, in a bowl, with ice cubes and a touch of luxury. Running water is acceptable, too, but only from the finest drinking fountains. Keep it fresh, or expect a protest in the form of me dramatically staring at the sink."
— Whiskers, Professional Hydration Critic

Pawsitively Cool: Keeping Your Cat Comfy All Summer Long

Congratulations, hooman—you’ve officially transformed your home into a five-star feline resort, complete with chilled lounging spots, strategic breezes, and a hydration plan worthy of a royal decree. Will your cat acknowledge your efforts? Probably not. Will they reward you with fewer dramatic floor-flops and slightly less judgment? One can only hope.

By mastering the fine art of cooling, you’ve ensured your cat can glide through summer in a state of luxurious comfort—whether they’re sprawled across a cooling mat, claiming the coldest tile in the house, or steadfastly ignoring the DIY ice-pack throne you made just for them.

In the end, keeping your cat cool isn’t just about temperature—it’s about maintaining their high standards, preventing excessive sass, and avoiding the sheer audacity of a warm water bowl. So, sit back, enjoy the subtle satisfaction of a well-cooled kitty, and remember: a content cat is the greatest compliment they will never give you.

Err, the cats want the final, final word…