Summer is here. Hot weather can be tough on our feline friends! Fluffy can overheat very quickly, and doesn’t really have many ways to cool off. After all, she is wearing a fur coat! The best thing you can do to protect your kitty from the heat-aside from keeping her indoors, in rooms cooled by AC or climate control-is to make sure she stays properly hydrated. A Carolina Forest, SC vet offers some tips on how to do that in this article.
Water
First and foremost, make sure that Fluffy always has clean water. You may need more than one water station, especially if you have multiple stories in your home. Clean your kitty’s dish every day, as otherwise it will soon collect germs and dust.
Wet Food
One benefit of canned food is that it has more moisture content than kibble. Of course, this isn’t the only reason to choose wet food. Talk to your vet about your feline friend’s nutritional needs.
Snacks
When choosing snacks for Fluffy, opt for ones with a high moisture content. You can make your cute pet her own version of a kitty snow-cone by pouring tuna juice over shaved ice. Or, add some water or broth to wet food, and freeze that in small portions.
Ice
Dropping an ice cube into your feline buddy’s bowl on hot days. Or, put one on a plate. Fluffy may enjoy licking it. She may also play ‘pawkey.’ This will help cool her off. Plus, it will be super cute to watch!
Kitty Fountain
Did you know that many of our feline buddies prefer to drink running water? This does make sense: in the wild, running water was traditionally less likely to be contaminated than fresh water. Get Fluffy a kitty water fountain, and see if she likes it.
Broth
Sodium-free broth is a great treat for kitties. It also contains electrolytes, which help protect your pet from dehydration. You can also make your furry buddy ‘catsicles.’ Pour a bit of beef, fish, or chicken broth into an ice cube tray and freeze it overnight. Offer your pet one or two on hot days. Or, blend wet food and ice in a blender for Fluffy. Do you have questions about caring for your feline friend? Is Fluffy overdue for an exam? Contact us, your local Carolina Forest, SC vet clinic, anytime!
