Show Many of the things humans struggle with in hot weather are the same for our pets. Cats can be susceptible to heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration during hot spells, so it is important to look out for our pets while the temperature is high. Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA, told Express.co.uk: “Much like it’s not unusual for people to feel less like eating in the heat, cats too can go off their food when the temperatures soar. “It is not known exactly why this is and could be due to a combination of factors. Cats can be fussy eaters so feeding fresh food early and later in the day should help to encourage them to eat. “If a cat is completely off their food and appears listless and lethargic, then we would advise the owner to contact their vet as the hot weather could be causing a deterioration in their health, and could also unmask chronic conditions such as kidney disease.” A study by the University of Liverpool in 2014 found cats eat 15 percent more food in the winter than they do in the summer. The study found cats are likely to eat more in the winter to help keep themselves warm, but while the weather is hot cats are more likely to rest. Veterinarian and study author, Dr Alex German, said: “Cats, like many humans are more inclined to comfort eat when it’s cold outside but, in their case, it’s likely to be due to the extra energy they need to keep warm when out and about. READ MORE: Heatstroke in pets: How hot is too hot for cats and dogs?
Do cats eat less in hot weather? It is really important to make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water available all the time Do cats eat less in hot weather? While the weather is hot, make sure to look out for symptoms of heatstroke in your pets If your cat has symptoms of heatstroke, it's important you contact your vet immediately. You should also be aware of your cat’s temperature during a spell of hot weather. Clare Hamilton, a practice owner and head vet at Cherry Tree Veterinary Practice, in Buckinghamshire said: “One way to tell is by feeling the top of their ears, if they feel hot to you compared to normal, then your cat may have some form of temperature or fever. “Something that a lot of cat owners don’t know is that it is quite common for cats with white ears to develop skin cancer due to exposure to the sun. “You can buy pet-friendly suncreams to avoid the chances of this happening and to keep your cat’s ears and skin protected. “My advice is that if you are at any point concerned about your cat’s health, that you trust your instinct and take them to your local vet for a check up. You know your pet better than anyone.” DON'T MISS: Do cats eat less in hot weather? You should also make sure there are spots of shade in your garden "Cats are clever and will limit their activity to keep cool but here are some ways you can help: "Provide plenty of shaded areas for your cat, both inside and out. Cardboard boxes work really well. "Place fans around the house to keep the air circulating but don’t point fans directly at your cat. "Freeze a bottle of water and wrap it in a towel or pillowcase. Place it in an area your cat frequents but ensure your cat can get away from the bottle if they chose." It is also really important to make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water available all the time, and that their food is fresh. Keep your pets out of conservatories and greenhouses as these areas can get extremely hot, and make sure to check your pets do not accidentally get trapped inside them. If it's too hot outside consider keeping your cat indoors, and shut curtains and blinds to keep the heat out. You can also use damp towels to lightly stroke your cat to help keep them cool, although some cats do not like getting wet. Sunburn is also an issue for cats, so keep them out of peak sunlight or use special pet sunscreens if necessary - particularly if your cat is pale.
Cats are very sensitive to the texture, shape, odour and taste of food and if they were not exposed to different food types and flavours when kittens this can make them fussy later in life. However, the temperature of the food and even the environment, season or storage conditions can also affect their food preferences. Keeping Food FreshCats will usually avoid moist food that has been left to dry out in the sun, so offering smaller amounts of fresh food that can be consumed immediately is preferred rather than filling the bowl up. If this isn’t possible, then some automatic cat feeders now have lids that only open when the cat approaches and ice packs to keep food cool. It can be tempting to swap to dry food during the summer so you can leave food out all day without attracting flies or drying out. However, even dry food will start to go off if left exposed for too long. Cats which are not used to dry food may not drink enough, causing urinary tract problems. Encouraging fluid intake in the summer is important and can be done by soaking dry food, using water fountains and experimenting with different types (and the position) of water bowls. Don’t worry too much if your cat seems to eat less in the warm weather. Studies have shown that this is normal, and they will eat 15% more food in the winter than the summer. This is thought to be because of the increase in energy they expend in the colder months trying to keep warm. Buying larger bags may seem more economical but the food will not be as fresh towards the end of the bag, meaning the cat is more likely to refuse it. Storing Food in the SummerIf you feed dry cat food it is very important that it is stored in a cool (but dry) place, out of direct sunlight and in winter away from radiators. The temperature in the room or cupboard should remain stable. It’s not uncommon for owners to store cat food in the boiler cupboard but the constant changes in temperature from hot to cold can cause the food to go off and eventually develop mould. Once a bag of dry food has been opened it should be used as quickly as possible to remain fresh. Buying larger bags may seem more economical but the food will not be as fresh towards the end of the bag, meaning the cat is more likely to refuse it. Smaller bags can be a useful way of preventing a storage mite infestation too; important if you have a cat with sensitive skin. We’d love to hear from you…Please get in touch if you have any questions about nutrition or feeding your cat or 0845 303 6043 Summer is approaching and very soon you might find yourself dealing with a problem that is typical at this time of year: your cat is not hungry. If your cat seems a little bit indifferent to his food, it could be caused by various factors. Let’s take a look at these together and see how to stimulate your cat’s appetite! A cat that isn’t eating: causesIt is possible for a cat to lose his appetite for a few days without necessarily being ill, but it is often the first symptom that something is wrong. Generally speaking, kitty isn’t eating because: 1. He doesn’t like the food. It is important to change the type of dry food from time to time, in order to vary your cat’s diet. Nevertheless, cats do not always appreciate this choice and may categorically refuse to eat. In this case, try to stimulate his appetite by adding some of his favourite food to the dry food and he’ll gradually become accustomed to it. On the contrary, your feline friend will sometimes refuse to eat out of boredom if his meals are always the same. 2. The weather is hot. Cats tend to eat less in the summertime because temperature has a negative effect on their digestive system. In fact, cats feel climate changes too and suffer just like human beings do. In this case, the best thing to do is to have meal times early in the morning or in the evening, when the air is cooler, and try encourage your cat to drink as much as possible.
3. He’s depressed. If your cat isn’t eating and seems sad, he could have some psychological problems. Stressful episodes or traumatic experiences (e.g. moving house, the death of a person or the arrival of a new animal) could cause your cat to lose his appetite. 4. He’s sick. When your cat is not eating and is always lying down, is tired and sleeps all day, this is a clear warning sign. In this case, you should take kitty to the vet and have him checked out completely, as he might have health problems. A cat that has lost his appetite: what you should doWhen lack of appetite is due to boredom or habits, the solution is to change your cat’s diet, stimulate him with tasty food like canned wet food or something made specifically for him at home. That’s not all though. It is also necessary to make changes in the daily routine and it is therefore useful to play with your cat, stimulate his curiosity and tire him out: this way, you can be sure that his appetite will return! When it’s very hot outside, however, your cat needs more liquids in his diet: giving him some wet food is sufficient, and make sure he always has fresh water in his bowl. |