Is Your Cat Safe This Summer? Heat, Smoke, and Evacuation Prep
Where we live, it is very hot—over one hundred degrees—and there is smoke from forest fires everywhere. It led my wife and me to do research on how to keep our cats safe. We are lucky that no fires are threatening where we live, but we have had friends with issues this year. So, I put together some information to help you better care for your cat during the hot summer months and during fire season.
8 Ways to Keep Cats Cool in Summer
The temperatures are rising, and it can only mean one thing—the long days of summer are here. While our canine pals frolic in sprinklers, what's a cat to do but seek out the coolest corner of the bathroom floor? From semi-friendly outdoor cats searching for shade to indoor cats loafing about, knowing how to keep cats cool in the summer is essential to their health.
"Cats that have any health issues or older cats are very prone to serious health conditions caused by the heat," says Dr. Sarah McCormack, DVM at Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Oregon. She adds that any cat could experience dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke when temperatures teeter toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swap the Water Bowl for a Fountain: Cats are notorious for not drinking enough water. Swapping their still water for a cat water fountain replicates a natural running water source that entices them to drink. Other options for encouraging hydration without spending extra money include adding a splash of sardine water or tuna water to their bowl, or encouraging them to drink from a running bathroom faucet.
Get a Cooling Mat: If you don't have AC, a cooling mat can do the trick. Just make sure it's made to withstand cat nails, or trim your cat's nails before use.
Swap Dry Food for Wet Food: Wet food packs up to 66% more water than dry food, helping prevent dehydration. Try chilling the wet food in the fridge before serving to see if your cat likes cold food (though some prefer room temperature).
Grooming & Coat Care: "A lion cut can provide a lot of comfort to a cat, especially long-haired cats," Dr. McCormack says. For indoor-outdoor cats with a short cut, consider a pet-safe sunscreen or a UV shirt to protect their skin from sunburn.
Note on Shaving: Some research suggests shaving your cat to help with heat, while other sources warn that a cat's coat actually acts as insulation against extreme heat and UV rays. Because every cat is different, it is best to contact your veterinarian to know what is right for your own cat.
Provide Airflow: If you don't have AC, cracking open windows and turning on a fan can work on moderately hot days. When temps push toward triple digits, consider a portable AC unit or seeking out a cat-friendly hotel with air conditioning.
Apply Cool Water to Her Paws: Cats cool slightly with the evaporation of sweat through their paw pads. If you are concerned your cat is hot, putting cool water on her paws helps her cool down.
Give Experienced Bathers a Cool Bath: If your cat is a pro at bath time, a cool bath can help. However, stress can exacerbate health conditions, so if your cat isn't used to baths, a record-setting hot day is not the time to try it.
Provide Outdoor Cats a Cool Spot: For neighborhood or feral cats, share fresh water and wet food in a shady spot. If there is no shade, set up a summer cat house that is open on the sides to allow maximum airflow (Jacklyn Ellis, Director of Behavior at Toronto Humane Society).
Signs Your Cat is Too Hot or Dehydrated
Heat exhaustion is the beginning phase of heatstroke. When a cat feels too hot, she may refuse food, hide, or pant. Even indoor cats are at risk without proper precautions. Contact your vet immediately if you notice:
Panting or open-mouth breathing
Rapid respiratory rate
Hot ears
Bright red tongue
Dark red or pale gums
Drooling
Depression, weakness, or stumbling
Anxious behavior or vocalization
Lying on one side, completely stretched out
Dehydration Skin-Tent Test: Lift the skin along your cat's back and drop it. If hydrated, it snaps back quickly. If there is a delay and the skin stays tented up, your cat is dehydrated.
9 Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe from Wildfires & Smoke
Wildfires are common across the US and typically occur from spring to fall, particularly in dry areas. Pets can be just as affected by smoke as humans, and if you need to evacuate, they add a layer of complexity. Planning ahead is key.
Is wildfire smoke dangerous for cats? Yes—wildfire smoke irritates a cat's eyes and lungs just as much as human lungs. Animals with respiratory or cardiovascular disease are at higher risk, but all animals can be affected if smoke is severe.
Pack a Pet Emergency Kit: Always have an emergency kit ready for natural disasters containing:
Pet carrier for each cat
Two-week supply of food and water
Medications and dosing instructions
Pet first-aid kit
Non-spill food and water bowls
Cat litter box and litter
Plastic bags for waste disposal, paper towels, and disinfectants
Extra leashes, collars, blankets, toys, and treats
Know Your Evacuation Options: Not all emergency shelters accept pets. Make a plan for where you can go (pet-friendly hotels or friends) well in advance. Microchip your cats and make arrangements with neighbors to check on or transport your pets if you are away when disaster strikes.
Monitor Air Quality: Check air quality alerts at AirNow.gov. If alerts advise limiting outdoor activity for humans, keep your pets strictly inside as well.
Keep Cats Indoors: Close all doors and windows to keep smoke out. If your cats cannot safely have the run of the house, bring them into a bathroom, bedroom, or safe room with adequate ventilation.
Monitor Your Cat's Breathing: Watch for coughing, gagging, trouble breathing, noisy breathing, fatigue, weakness, reduced appetite, nasal discharge, red/watery eyes, or disorientation. Contact a vet immediately if these occur.
Avoid Heavy Exercise: Skip intense play sessions during smoke events. Make sure your cat has a litter box inside so they don't need to go outdoors.
Create a Clean Room: If you have central AC or window units, buy high-efficiency filters to capture fine smoke particles. You can also run a portable HEPA air cleaner in a designated room.
Keep Indoor Air Clean: Avoid adding indoor air pollution during a wildfire. Do not fry or broil food, burn scented candles, use wood stoves, or smoke cigarettes inside while smoke is outside.
Always Include Your Pets in Your Evacuation Plan: Ideally, use a carrier or pet backpack. If an extreme emergency forces you to leave pets behind, place them in a clean, preselected room with enough food, water, and litter. Never confine a cat in a crate or leave them outside without access to food, water, and shade, and return for them the moment it is safe.
Research Articles & Sources Referenced
Summer Safety for Cats: Essential Tips to Keep Your Feline Safe by Janelle Leeson / NASC
9 Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe from Wildfire Smoke by Nicole Cosgrove (Director of Content Management at Catster)
Pet Fire Safety: Top Strategies for Emergencies / The Spruce Pets
Veterinary Experts Consulted: Dr. Sarah McCormack, DVM (Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital) & Dr. Jacklyn Ellis (Director of Behavior, Toronto Humane Society)
My wife and I here at Serenity of the Mind hope you and your cats or other pets stay safe this year. Please take a look at our YouTube channel @serenityofthemind where you can find funny cat compilations and other fun videos. You can also visit our store at store.serenityofthemind.com to find hand-mulled watercolor backgrounds, speech bubbles, and digital graphics ready to use in any of your creative projects!
Learn how to protect your cats during extreme summer heat, high temperatures, and wildfire smoke season. Includes emergency evacuation prep, cooling tips, and pet safety advice from veterinary experts.
