Summer Weather Tips
Rising temperatures means special considerations for cat care. Here are some tips to keep your feline friend well-fed and hydrated during warmer months.
Food
- Don’t leave food out for too long. After about 30 minutes, bugs will start to show up. Picking up uneaten food after roughly 45 minutes helps prevent that.
- Feed cats dry food in the summerit attracts fewer insects. But if you give wet food, add water to keep it from drying out, or be sure to pick it up within 45 minutes
- Invest in an ant-proof bowl. See our recommended ant-proof bowls.
- You can create your own “ant barrier” by surrounding the bowl with baking soda or a line of food-grade diatomaceous earth without chemical additives.
Water
- Extra water is essential in hot weather. Too much water is better than not enough.
- Place water bowls in shaded areas. Feeding stations keep water out of the sun, and they’re easy to build!
- Use a bowl that is narrow but deep. This reduces the bowl’s surface area and slows evaporation.
- Drop a few ice cubes into the water bowl (if the kitty doesn’t mind ice).
- Pet water fountains provide a constant stream of water, inspiring cats to drink even more.
Shelter
- Provide easy access to shaded places, like under a deck,
- Build an outdoor cat shelter on the cheap with supplies found at any hardware store. Check out our easy outdoor cat shelter instructions.
Trapping Conditions
- If you perform Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) during the summer, take the extreme heat into account. Do not leave cats in trapsthey can get heat stroke just like people. Once the cat is trapped, keep her in the shade with a trap cover or in an air-conditioned space.
- Never leave cats in a car while trapping.
- Don’t place traps on surfaces that get extremely hot from the sun, such as asphalt. The metal can absorb the heat and burn the cat’s paws.