Summer Weather Tips
Rising temperatures mean 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 summer – it 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.
- 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 traps – they 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.