Cooling cat beds

How cats cope with heat

Cats handle warm weather better than many dogs, but they still feel it. They sweat only a little through their paw pads and cool mainly by resting, grooming and seeking out cool surfaces. That is why a hot cat often stretches out on tiles, in a bathtub or on a shady floor.

Flat-faced breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, overweight cats, kittens and seniors are more sensitive to heat. A cooling mat gives them a comfortable cool surface in their favorite spot, rather than relying on whatever cold floor they can find.

Gel, ice-silk and stone mats

Gel cooling mats are pressure-activated: the gel inside absorbs body heat when a cat lies on it, then recharges once the cat moves off. They need no water, electricity or refrigeration. Ice-silk pads and cold nests use a smooth, cool-feeling fabric that stays cooler than plush.

Ice-stone pads use a naturally cool stone surface and suit small pets and cats who like a firm spot. Breathable woven mats and raised beds let air circulate under the cat. Foldable, scratch-resistant mats hold up better to claws and are easy to store when the weather cools.

Getting a cat to use a cooling mat

Cats are particular about where they lie, so place the mat where your cat already rests in warm weather, such as a windowsill, the end of a bed or a shady corner. Laying a thin towel over the mat at first can make it feel more familiar.

A little catnip or a few treats on the mat can encourage your cat to try it. Do not move it around too often once your cat accepts it. Some cats need a few days before deciding a new bed is theirs.

Safety and signs of overheating

Check gel mats regularly for punctures from claws or chewing, and remove a damaged mat so the gel cannot be eaten. Supervise kittens with any new mat. Keep the room ventilated, close blinds in direct sun and always leave fresh water out.

Signs that a cat is overheating include panting or open-mouth breathing, drooling, restlessness, lethargy and red gums. Cats rarely pant, so panting in a cat is a reason to move it somewhere cool and call a vet straight away.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.