We all know how taxing it can be in this kind of heat, right? As glorious as Great British Summertime is, we as a nation are simply not equipped to deal with such weather. Our comfort zone lies in the cold and the wet, surely?
It's all fun and games when you're able to have a picnic in the park or a session of sunbathing in your back garden - but please spare a thought for those of us working through all of it - whether in the office with no air-conditioning, or outside in the thick of it.
And that's just us humans! What about our furry friends? Can you even imagine having a permanent fur coat, one that you can never take off? Surely they must struggle to stay cool at the best of times.
But, as we all know - the number one rule, at all times - is to stay hydrated. So, if you think your furry friend might need some help in this department, or even if you're just a concerned cat-owner - then this is the blog post for you.
First off, why is it so important for your kitty to be and stay hydrated?
Heat exhaustion is where your (or your kitty's) body gets too hot. If not treated quickly and accurately; it can turn into heatstroke, which can be life threatening.
Here are the most common symptoms of heatstroke in cats, ranging from mild - to moderate - to severe:
Increased panting
Excess drooling or salivating
Agitation or restlessness
Extreme change in colour of gums
Heavily-increased heart rate
Irregular breathing
Vomiting or diarrhea
Signs of confusion
Dizziness or staggering around
Weakness or fatigue
Muscle tremors
Seizures
Collapsing
Reduced urine production
Comatose state
As a concerned cat-owner, you're probably already aware that the momentous task of keeping your kitty hydrated - is just that - a momentous task. As the saying goes; you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. So, what are our top tips?
Top Tips:
Refill and replace the water in your kitty's bowl regularly - there really is no such thing as 'too often' in heat like this! Water can evaporate fully or partially very quickly in heat like this, never mind if you have a fussy feline. And, if, like me, you're not a fan of unnecessary water waste - never fear! Feel free to collect and save all of your cat's water (whether old, stale, warm or hot, undrunk, untouched or abandoned - anything goes! ) for garden use. Not only will the critters outside appreciate it, but so will your plants and flowers!
Place several different bowls of water around your house and garden and continue to follow the same advice as on the previous bullet point - there's no such thing as 'too many' (bowls) in heat like this! Try different bowls too - every cat is different, and eventually you'll figure out what your kitty prefers. Aim to try different materials, sizes, circumferences and depths - trial and error is a tried and tested method for a reason.
Look into feline water fountains! In a lot of cases, cats prefer a fresh and steady stream of water - which is why some kitties like to drink from your taps! Cost effective and easy to operate, refill and clean - they're a worthwhile investment that might just be exactly what you need. We stock several different variations in our store - as do most pet shop chains.
Try filling up and freezing ice cube trays - and adding them to your kitty's water bowls! The ice cubes will help keep the water cool (because we all know how unsavoury it is to drink warm water) as well as augmenting the water supply over time.