Whilst it’s so hot I just wanted to give you my top tips on how to stay hydrated. I know I’ve given you my top five tips before but this is just so impawtant that I thought I’d share my ideas again, over my time here I’ve learnt some new things as well as still endorsing the classics.
Hydration.
Water, water everywhere. Cups, bowls, fountains, basins, taps, baths – it doesn’t matter, the more the merrier. Different cats like different things so it’s always good to have a variety of things to drink out of, always kept clean and fresh of course. Water in different rooms and areas means that no matter where we are we’re not far away from something cool and refreshing to drink. I sometimes go into the bathroom with mummy and climb into the basin which I my hint for her to turn the tap on so I can have a drink. When it’s really hot mummy or daddy add an ice cube to the water bowl for an extra cool drink. Plus they make great crackling noises that I just can’t help playing with! It means that the water doesn’t always stay in the bowl but hey ho it’s all good fun. It doesn’t have to just be water though cat milk can be just as good and a tasty alternative sometimes, served straight from the fridge.
Cool surfaces.
Find yourself a nice cool surface to lie on, mummy and daddy have a big glass dining table that we’re not supposed to go on. Millie keeps getting told off because she’s always walking or sitting on it. “Millie get off the table.” mummy says to her but she either doesn’t learn or, more likely, doesn’t want to learn as she keeps doing it time after time 🙀! I think she likes it because it feels lovely and cool plus there’s a breeze through from the kitchen to the balcony which is nice when it’s so hot. The cool surfaces can be a bit hard and uncomfortable so Mummy and daddy also put out some cool pads on some of our comfy beds so we can be cool and comfortable at the same time. They’re so good that even daddy sits on them sometimes to help keep cool.
Washing.
I know humans like to wear as little clothes as possible when it’s hot but for us cats that’s not possible and so you might be tempted to clip your cats fur to help keep them cool in summer. As you would expect though we are purrfectly designed for all kinds of weather and temperatures. Our fur not only helps keep us warm in winter but it actually helps keep us cool in summer whilst also protecting our skin from the sun. We can also groom more in hot weather which cools us through our saliva cooling us, like your human sweat does on your skin. See we’re not so different after all!
Playtime.
Obviously my favourite game of damp hands helps in the summer so mummy, daddy and I have been playing this a bit more often recently. This is fine by me as it means I also get lots of attention during the day with the added benefit of making me cooler too. Mummy and daddy also limit how much running around we do when it’s very hot and so playtime is short bursts followed by a nap to recharge. As it cools down during the evening we gradually ramp up playtime with the added bonus that we wear ourselves out in time for second dinner and then bed.
A shady spot.
If like me you can go outside, even if only for a short while then this can be really good too. If you can go out later in the day or evening when it’s cooler then all the better. Just find yourself a nice cool shady spot to sit and chill out in. When I go for walkies when it’s hot I don’t run around quite so much but mummy and I sit under a tree and just chill out, happy in each other’s company. Sometimes there’s a little breeze outside which helps to make you feel cool as the air flows gently through your fur like your own personal cooling fan. If you can’t go outside then purrsuade your mummy or daddy to make a shady spot somewhere by closing the curtains or blinds, they can simulate an outside breeze with a fan.
Frozen yoghurt.
Cats like ice cream too but not your human stuff, that’s not good for us. Instead mummy and daddy take the liquid yoghurt treats and put them in the freezer to make cat ice cream. Now that’s an extra special yummy treat on a hot summers day. As a blind cat though licking these can be quite messy but I don’t care and if mummy gets it all over her hands then I lick those clean as well for her .
Damp towels.
When mummy and daddy have been in the bath or shower and have dried themselves with the big fluffy towel the towel becomes slightly damp and this is lovely and cool to lie on in hot weather. Not only do you get the lovely fluffy towel feeling that cats love you get cooled by the damp bits as well – purrfect. Mummy and daddy put their damp towels out for us on the end of their bed so if we lie out on them sometimes there’s not much room left for them when they come to bed! Still they don’t seem to mind as we don’t get moved off and they just fit themselves in around us, I hear them say “ahh they’re absolutely flat out and look so peaceful we can’t possibly move them”
Really whatever you would do as a human to keep cool you can do for us cats as well.
Jenny’s Story 