Skip to main content

How to protect your Maine coon from the summer heat

Hot, humid summers can be tough for any cat, but when your cat is a Maine coon, dealing with the heat is even more difficult. With thick coats designed for harsh winters, Maine coons aren’t naturally suited to areas that have hot summers. But with the right care, you can help your Maine coon safely weather the summer heat. If you’re aware of your cat’s special needs when it comes to the heat, you’ll be able to keep him healthier, safer, and more comfortable. It’s not difficult to do, but these small changes will make a big difference to your cat’s well-being.

Orange Maine Coon cat climbing a tree branch

Why heat is dangerous for Maine coons

Maine coons have thick, long coats designed to create warmth. This breed is plenty hardy in harsh, cold climates, and they can survive rain, snow, and pretty extreme cold temperatures. The problem is that they can’t take off that warm winter coat when the summer temperatures arrive, so high heat and humidity can leave them uncomfortable and even bring about serious health issues.

Related Videos

Maine coons keep themselves cool in several ways. They sweat through their paw pads, but their sweating is much more inefficient and ineffective than a human’s sweating, since we can sweat all over our bodies. Your cat will also groom himself, which creates an evaporative effect.

Your Maine coon also will seek out cool areas to lie down when things get hot. Shady areas or tile floors can help keep your cat’s temperature down, and he’ll naturally sleep during the hottest times of the day. You may notice him lying on his back with his feet splayed in the air to help cool off. He’ll also probably drink more water to stay hydrated in the heat.

While these methods can help, your cat may need additional assistance staying comfortable when the temperatures climb.

Top ways to keep your cat cool

To keep your Maine coon cool, try to keep him inside during the hottest times of the day if he’s not an indoor-only cat.

  • Run your air conditioning or give him access to the coolest rooms of your house, which are probably your basement and possibly your bathrooms.
  • Keep your shades closed to stop the sun from heating up the floor, and run fans if you don’t have an air conditioner.
  • Make sure your kitty has continuous access to plenty of cool water. You might want to add some water bowls throughout the home so that water is always nearby, no matter where your cat lies down. You can add an ice cube to the water to keep it cold and enticing.
  • Your cat may love sinks and tubs, and these can be ideal places for him to stay cool in the summer. Porcelain tubs and sinks stay particularly cool, so give your cat access to these spots if he prefers them. You might put down a clean, damp towel in the area for your cat to lie on.
Portrait of a Maine Coon outside
Marigard/Pixabay

Signs your cat is overheating

Even if you take steps to keep your cat cool, it’s important to be able to quickly recognize if he is getting too hot so you can remedy it fast and effectively. Common overheated-cat signs include:

  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Excessive sweating through the paws

You might notice that your cat starts to pant and becomes uncoordinated. If left unchecked, your cat may experience weakness and collapse, and he could even die. Any of these signs are serious, and it’s important to take steps to cool your cat down right away. If you notice your cat is overheating, move him inside at once and put him in front of a fan or air conditioner. Wet down his hair with cool water and call your vet immediately. If your vet isn’t available or it’s after hours, go to your nearest emergency vet clinic.

With proper care and a little extra help, your Maine coon can get through the summer just fine. If temperatures get unusually high, then you may need to take some additional precautions, like confining him to air-conditioned rooms and keeping him indoors until the temperatures drop. As long as you’re aware of the extra challenges your cat may face because of the heat, you can probably help him avoid any situations where his health is at risk. However, always keep an eye out for signs that your cat is overheating, and be prepared to get him the veterinary treatment he might need in that situation.

Editors' Recommendations

Cats can’t stop watching Stray, but this dog is less enthused
We could watch cats and dogs reacting to this cat video game all day
stray the video game cat and dog reactions ps5

Stray the video game came out this week, and you’ve probably seen some videos on social media about the adventure game that lets you explore a subterranean, cyberpunk world as a ginger cat. Specifically, you’ve probably seen some videos of real-life cats reacting to the game (and its realistic meows). One thing is for sure: Cats are definitely entertained by this cat video game.

Dogs, on the other hand? They’re not as happy.

Read more
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon mix (and why you should care)
Closeup of a Maine Coon's face

There are plenty of cat breeds that tend to be big and fluffy, but one of the best-known breeds fitting this description is the Maine Coon. These cats are not only impressive in size, but they tend to have fantastic personalities that make them beloved family pets, too. While purebred Maine Coons are a little more uncommon in rescues and shelters, it's possible that you adopted a Maine Coon mix that still has some of the breed's distinctive characteristics. While telling exactly which breeds your cat is can be a little tricky, it's worth doing some investigative work to better understand your cat's background and what that might mean for the care he needs during his life.

How can I tell if my cat is a Maine Coon mix?
According to Schertz Animal Hospital, the only way to tell if your cat is part Maine Coon is to have your cat genetically tested. Genetic tests for cats use saliva or blood to provide an estimate of your cat's breed. You can order the test and have a kit shipped to you, or our veterinarian might have tests at their office and could perform the testing for you. It typically takes about six to eight weeks before you'll receive your results, so you'll need to be patient.
Your vet might also be able to help you identify common Maine Coon characteristics in your cat. You can look for features like a long coat that sheds often, a large size up to 16 inches tall, and a highly social nature. While these features can't confirm that your cat is a Maine Coon mix, they can help to narrow down some options and might suggest that it's worth having some genetic testing done to confirm your suspicions.
If you adopted your cat from a shelter, read the documents that you received during the adoption process. Some shelters that take in litters may know what the mother's breed was, and if the mother was a Maine Coon, that will confirm your suspicions. Other times, shelters have very limited information on a cat's background, so you may or may not be able to confirm your cat's breed through that paperwork.

Read more
There’s an easy way to tell how old your cat really is
How old is your cat? Here's how you can figure it out
A Siberian cat lying in a pile of fallen autumn leaves.

Have you recently rescued or adopted a feline friend at the shelter? Discovering your cat's age may not sound all that important -- age is just a number, right? -- but knowing your cat's age is critical for a variety of reasons. Not only does a cat's nutritional requirements change as she ages, but there could be a few age-related physical changes you need to look out for. Similarly, a cat's activity level often depends on her age. Knowing how old your cat is helps you choose the best toys for her. Have you ever wondered, "Just how old is my cat?" We're here to help you unravel the mystery once and for all.

How do you calculate a cat's age? 
If you want to have the most accurate picture of your cat's age and health, you'll need to enlist the help of a trusted veterinarian. Your vet will perform a full-body examination on your cat, from teeth to tail. While a careful inspection of your cat's entire body helps the vet determine your fur baby's age, there are a few hallmarks they look for, including:
Teeth 
A kitten's baby teeth – also called deciduous teeth – first erupt when she's around two to four weeks old. By the time she's around six months old, a cat's baby teeth will have been replaced by her permanent teeth. As cats age, their teeth become discolored by tartar. Unfortunately, this method of gauging a cat's age can be unreliable if you (or your cat's previous owner) maintain a diligent dental health regimen of frequent brushing and dental checkups. 
Weight
Just like us, your cat's metabolism slows as she ages. An obese cat is most likely middle-aged or younger, as senior cats are more likely to lose weight than to gain it. Weight loss in senior cats is due to a decrease in their ability to properly digest and metabolize fat.
Coat health and color
Cats are fastidious creatures, and grooming is one of their favorite activities. As cats age, they might develop white patches in their coats. Older cats might groom themselves less often – or they might stop grooming themselves altogether. The physical changes cats undergo as they age – weight gain or loss, digestive conditions, and arthritis – can lead to a cat's sudden disinterest in grooming. Cats with matted fur (unless they've been recently rescued) are more likely to be seniors.  
Eyes
Do your cat's pupils appear slightly cloudy? Then your fur baby is most likely at least nine years old. The cloudy appearance is due to lenticular sclerosis, the medical term for the hazy cast that develops in cats' eyes when they're middle-aged or older. Lenticular sclerosis – also called nuclear sclerosis – typically presents when cats are around eight years old but doesn't become visible until they're nine years old or older. In addition, older cats tear up more often than younger cats, and you might also see discharge from the eyes. 

Read more