10 Ways Your Home Could Be Making the Heatwave Harder on Your Cat

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jun 28, 2026 6:15 PM EDT

This heatwave rocking the UK and Europe is not just hard for the hoomans living through it, it's also hard for all of our friendly felines stuck at home. Even if you're not currently expurriencing it, it's bound to get hot this summer, so here are some I Can Has Cheezburger-approved ways to make your home easier for your cat to keep cool!

Some countries in Europe are experiencing over 100-degree weather now, with some even saying that they're having the hottest days ever recorded. For those of us who live in the US, we've been lucky to live with air conditioning most of our lives, depending on where you live. But many homes in the UK and Europe don't have air conditioning, and although it can be a pain for us hoomans, it can be very dangerous for our cats. The same things that cool down hoomans don't necessarily work on your kitties, so we compiled a purrfectly helpful list of ways your home could be making the heatwave harder on your cat. 

All of the tricks below are good things to try, but every cat is different, and we all know how finicky cats can be. Not every tip below will work for every cat. Personally, I like to put some ice cubes in a gallon ziplock bag with some water, and put it on the floor. Not only does it cool down the floor, but after a while, my cats get interested in the ice cubes, and start batting them around like little toys. It cools down their paws, and then they lick their paws more from the condensation. Hydrating and fun!

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  • 01
    KNOW THE SIGNS
    via Aflo Images

    Bengal cat resting from overheating

  • 02

    Assuming cats will always find a cool place on their own

    Try to keep at least one room dark and cool. Bathrooms tend to have pretty cold floors when they're ceramic, so make sure your cat knows they can go there if they need to cool down!
    via nonacrina
  • 03

    Leaving only one water bowl in a warm, sunny spot

    Darielas44 When it's really hot, ensure they have access to a lot of water. Ideally, in multiple rooms they hang out in and in multiple options - fountain, water bowl, etc. Mine like to have ice cubes on hot days that they bat around, hunt and lick.
    via Darielas44
  • 04

    Keeping curtains open during direct afternoon sun

    Prestigious_Taste192 Make sure to cover and close all windows on the south side of your house for the hottest period of the day (11-4). If you don't have curtains or blackout blinds then blankets or similar will do. Early morning or later in the evening open everything to get a breeze through.
    via Prestigious_Taste192
  • 05

    Forgetting that enclosed rooms, sunrooms, garages, and attics can overheat

    No-Crow-775 When you vent out the rooms, put a fan in the window backwards to exhaust the hot inner air. It really helps.
    via No-Crow-775
  • 06

    Letting outdoor cats roam without reliable shade and water

    there's a heatwave coming up this week in the UK and my house has c py ventilation. it sometimes even feels hotter inside than outside. I have a cheap fan that doesn't do anything really.
    via vanessarichter

  • Your cat may enjoy suntanning a little bit, but now is not the time. Keep cats indoors whenever pawssible, especially if they don't have consistent access to shade or water. 

  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10642743552
    via Valerii Honcharuk

    Domestic cat at home near the air conditioning unit during a heatwave

  • 08

    Encouraging high-energy play during the hottest part of the day

    CarellaB Honestly cats cope so much better than us. I have 2 indoor cats. I make sure to just let them lay wherever is comfy, often the kitchen floor. Dot extra water bowls around and honestly skip play if you can. Cooling mats help too, or a cold wet flannel wiped on their paws and ears. But try not to stress yourself out as they can pick up on it (I say that as big worrier myself.) Good luck to your babies and yourself!
    via CarellaB
  • 09

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 1)

    LtnSkyRockets I give mine a miniature spalshing pool to play in, and cool him off with cool water if he gets really hot. Plus air conditioning, and a fan can also help.
    via LtnSkyRockets
  • 10

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 2)

    Turbulent-Papaya-991 I freeze Churu treats then feed them to my cats like freezies, they love it. I also brush them regularly.
    via Turbulent-Papaya-991
  • 11

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 3)

    mandytjie I take a damp face cloth and run it down their fur. They don't like it much while I'm doing it (for 2 seconds) but they immediately feel cooler. It helps with my 15 year old boy too because he's less inclined to groom himself
    via mandytjie

  • As pawrents, sometimes, we have to do things to our cat kids that they don't love. It's the unfortunate part of “knowing better” than them. They may not like it in the meowment, but they will eventually thank you for it later.

  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10642743808
    via JulieK's images

    Cat enjoying cooling fan ribbons during summer heatwave

  • 13

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 4)

    badonkadonked I froze some water in a lunchbox and then spread a (non frozen) lick e lix on it. My kitten went mad for it and got a nice cool treat and I reckon also got a fair amount of the water too
    via badonkadonked
  • 14

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 5)

    Salty-Eye-5712 I've been putting damp towels in the freezer then holding them over my cats at random times throughout the day. I tried placing it on the floor (folded into a plastic bag then dry towel over top) but they weren't interested.
    via Salty-Eye-5712
  • 15

    Assuming a fan alone will cool every cat down (pt. 6)

    I also tried stroking them while holding an ice cube in my hand and shockingly they let me, both of them even started purring and nuzzling the ice cube. I didn't expect this to work but I will be doing again.
    via Salty-Eye-5712
  • 16

    Waiting too long to call a vet when a cat seems weak, disoriented, drooly, or unable to cool down

    fuzzlequeen I'd add, know the signs, and if you're going through a heatwave, make a backup plan before your cat shows signs. Mine started showing signs of heat exhaustion two days ago (panting that wouldn't fully stop, a little pacing, and elevated heart rate). I didn't have a plan yet, but was able to quickly make a plan as I told my friend what was happening and she made room for me in her apartment which is much cooler. But it would've been less stressful if I'd already decided where I'd be t
    via fuzzlequeen
  • 17

    Treating panting like a normal cat behavior

    i am a bit nervous cause my boy cat has had bouts of panting where he'll pant for about a minute (if that) then stop but other than that he doesn't seem at all out of the ordinary :/
    via Simple-Message9224
  • 18

    Overlooking higher-risk cats: kittens, seniors, flat-faced cats, overweight cats, and cats with heart or lung conditions

    vanessarichter thank you so much, that's reassuring. one of my cats (ginger 1st pic) is a senior, he's 12-13 and suffering high bl d pressure so I just worry about him the most to be honest. the other 2 will most likely be fine
    via vanessarichter

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cat survival tips heatwave cat owners Cats
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