As I am writing this, I am sitting in a camping trailer, with a couple fans running on max speed, and the a/c trying its best. Yet still, the temperature is slightly above the comfort level. My cat is lying beside me, enjoying his cooling mat. He’s sure happy to be out in nature, and I am thrilled to have him with me.
I sure feel bad for him, though… He’s a black cat with long hair, and we are in the middle of a heat wave. And if there is one thing that you should know about my cat, it is that he does not know how to stay still. He definitely takes after his mom.
Despite all of this, we are able to make this camping trip a success! Here are a couple of tips for summer camping with your cat!
If you’re new to camping with cats, check out the following blog posts first:
We try to head out to more remote locations, usually heading into a forest or up the mountain(s). Quite often you will find those spots cooler, and in the summer, every degree counts. I find that there is usually a nice breeze in those higher elevations, which can help make the heat more bearable.
Tent/ car camping definitely allows you more freedom with setting up a campsite where you want. Check what spots are most shaded during the afternoon, and set up your living quarters there. Your cat will thank you for it.
Be active during the cooler parts of the day, and rest during the afternoon
Cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are the most active at dawn and dusk, and they get their rest during the day. It works pretty well, considering that those are the coolest parts of their day. I usually wake up fairly early, but during the summer, I like to wake up even earlier. Chumka is a huge fan of that hehe.
As soon as I get up, he sits beside the door and waits for me to put a harness on him. He explores the world, while I have my morning coffee/ tea. When I finish my drink, I like to play with him, so he is happy and tired before it starts getting warm.
When I can feel the sun getting pretty toasty (or Chumka starts panting from the heat), I bring him in for a late breakfast. After all this exploring and exercise, he devours his breakfast. It’s a great trick to get those picky cats to eat.
After a morning play and breakfast, Chumka has a long bath, getting ready for that long midday nap. He will wake up in a couple of hours, ready for his foolery again.
Include your cat in water activities
This one is heavily dependent on your cat. For most of the cats, they either love or hate the water. And Chumka is something in between lol. He is deeply intrigued by water and could watch it for hours – raindrops racing down the window, melting ice cube, garden being watered… you name it. But as soon as his paws touch water – it’s game over… But he also loves being on the water – he loves listening to the different sounds that the water carries, watching all the bugs fly across the lake, and being rocked to sleep by the gentle waves.
If your cat likes water, definitely go camping by a body of water. Jumping in the lake, or playing in the river are great ways to cool down during summer. Remember to get a life jacket for your kitty though!
Bring (all) the cooling gear you have
Like I said in the earlier point, my cat hates when his paws are wet – especially with cold water. Which is too bad, as cats cool down through their paws (and panting). So I had to find other ways to keep him comfortable in the heat.
The cooling/ evaporating clothes (or tricks) only work in dry climates. You don’t want to use that if you live/are in a humid climate.
We have a couple different cooling gear items that we use regularly. Our favourite ones are:
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A Must Have for Summer Adventures!
Cooling Mat for Small/Medium Pets
durable, long-lasting and effective cooling solution for your pet!
This cooling mat is a game changer! I love that you can connect the mats together to create one big cooling “bed”. My husband fell asleep on it and “had the greatest nap of his life”. Another great thing about this product is that you can get extra “ice cube trays” that you can rotate.
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The best cooling bandana on the market!
Canada Pooch Cooling Bandana
Sturdy, yet breathable and soft - it will keep your pet cool in the hot weather
We’ve tried couple different cooling bandanas and this one is definitely a winner! 🙌🏻 I remember the first time I put it on Chumka – we went to kayak on a lake. I wanted to check how the kitty was doing as we were passing through a sunny spot – his skin/coat under the bandana was very cold to touch!
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Keep your pets skin happy with this soothing balm
kin+kind Hot Spot Balm
Each and every ingredient, including every essential oil, is vet approved to ensure effective and safe concentrations for pets
This isn’t a cooling gear per se… but it’s a must have if you take your pets for adventures in hot weather. Cats have very sensitive skin on their face/head and paws, and sun burns can happen very easily there – especially with dark colour kitties.
Bonus tips
Here are a couple bonus ideas for keeping your kitty a cool happy camper:
Cover your pet’s backpack with a breathable material + keep it damp
Have lickable treats to keep your cat hydrated during adventures
Final words
I am so excited for you to go out campinig with your pet!! If you still have any questions or concerns, feel free to send me a message through this site or through Instagram DM!
Please give your pet some love from me and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter! 😊💛
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Hello there! Some of the things I’m obsessed with are cats, science and medicine - so this (blog) is a perfect mixture of those three things, isn’t it?! Join me as I write about cool things I’ve learned and obsessed over.
