In Cyprus, where we’re based, July afternoons pass 40°C. The street cats know what to do. They vanish under parked cars, into drains and behind bins, and come out after sunset. Most of them get through fine.
What they can’t do is find water when every tap, fountain and puddle has dried up. That part is down to us, and it’s the easiest help there is.
The short version
- Put out water, in the shade, and change it every day.
- Feed early morning or after sunset.
- Leave the shady spots alone.
- Check under your car before you drive.
- Panting, drooling or collapsing? Cool it gently and call a vet.
Water is the big one
International Cat Care’s advice for hot weather starts with plenty of fresh water. For street cats:
- Shade. A bowl in the sun is hot soup by noon. Put it where the shade lasts all day.
- Wide and heavy. Ceramic or steel stays cooler than plastic and doesn’t tip over.
- Fresh every day. Warm, standing water goes green and draws mosquitoes. Rinse and refill.
- More than one. If you can, two bowls in two spots, so one cat can’t keep the others away.
Feed in the cool hours
Wet food left out in the heat spoils in an hour and draws flies and ants. Feed at dawn or after sunset, when the cats are moving anyway, and pick up what’s left. More in our guide to feeding street cats.
Mind the shade they’ve found
Under a car is often the only shade on a street. International Cat Care says to check a car is clear before you drive, and to look inside it too before you shut the doors. A quick knock on the bonnet and a look between the wheels takes five seconds.
Don’t move cats out of a shady spot, and don’t block off a drain or a gap under a building in summer. It might be the only cool place they have.
White cats and sunburn
Cats with white ears and noses can burn, just like us. Years of sun on thin white fur can lead to skin cancer, usually on the ear tips and nose. It starts as red, crusty patches that seem to heal and come back. Caught early, it can be treated, so a white cat with scabby ear tips needs a vet. International Cat Care suggests pet-safe sunscreen on the ears and nose where it’s needed.
The signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke is an emergency. International Cat Care lists these signs:
- Panting hard. Cats rarely pant, so take it seriously.
- Drooling, or vomiting.
- Very tired, wobbly, or won’t get up.
- Collapse.
If you see this, move the cat into the shade and call a vet now. While you wait, wet its ears and paws with cool water, not ice-cold, put a damp towel on its back, and let it drink if it wants to.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If a cat looks unwell in the heat, call a vet straight away.
Snap the cats on your street with Island of Cats, and you’ll know who to look for on the hottest days.
