Just like her cousins in the wild, your cat loves to stretch out and bask in the sunshine. In fact, she enjoys it so much that she may stay out long enough to get sunburned. She’s especially at risk if she’s lying on a hot patio, and will be more prone to sunburn if she has a light coloured coat, and a pink nose or skin.
So when summertime comes round, it’s important to remember that your cat needs to take care in the sun, just like you. The good news is there are plenty of ways you can keep your cat cool.
Coping with a sun-loving cat
You can help your cat a lot by setting up areas of shade in her favourite sunbathing spots. Like all cats, your feline friend will love cardboard boxes – try turning one on its side to create a shelter for her to sleep in.
Of course, there’s every chance your sun-loving cat will ignore the shade you create and simply move back into a sunny spot. If she does, and you’re worried about her getting burned, try keeping her indoors over the middle of the day, when the sun’s at its strongest.
Bringing out the sunscreen
If your cat’s having fun in the sun, and you don’t want to spoil it, you can use sunscreen to protect her vulnerable ears. She probably won't enjoy it at first – and may even try try to wipe it off – so make sure you choose a non-toxic variety.
Greenhouse blues
If you’ve got a greenhouse, make sure you keep the door shut to stop your cat wandering inside. If she gets trapped in the greenhouse during the summer months, your cat could suffer from heat exhaustion. Discourage your cat from sunning herself on the roof too – her added weight combined with the hot sun could cause the glass to crack.