The Essential Summer Cat House Guide: Build a Cooler Shelter for Your Outdoor Cats

Is your outdoor cat house summer ready? By the end of this blog, you will know exactly how to keep your cats as cool as a day by the pool.

We all dream of summer during those long winter months, but the moment that first blast of heat hits, we remember that staying cool isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. For us humans, it’s a bit simpler. We swap out our long pants for shorts, boots for sandals, and mittens for sunscreen. We can jump in the car and head to the pool, turn up our AC to cool our homes, or plan a day floating in the ocean. But what about our feline friends? How can our pet and feral cats keep themselves cool in the summer heat?

Cats don’t sweat like we do and in the extreme heat, they can struggle to cool down (cue the dramatic sigh from every cat in Texas). So how can we help them stay cool so they can enjoy summer just as much as we do? Here are four simple ways you can make your cat house summer ready in your Essential Summer Cat House Guide:

1. Have a cooling station where your cats can find shade and water

Having a space where your feral colony or pet cats can find shade and water is essential in the summer heat. Feeding stations are a great way to offer that refuge, with fresh water available for them. To take it one step further, make sure it is elevated and has a deck with an extended roof to allow more space for your cats to rest, eat, and drink away from the sun.

2. Add reflective insulation to your cat house.

Insulation doesn’t only keep cats warm in the winter, it also cools them off in the summer. Reflective insulation in the walls, roof, and floor helps regulate their temperature all year round. All of our cat houses are built with fully insulated walls, floors, and roofs.

3. Having multiple openings in your cat house

Air flow really helps keep your cat house cool. Having an opening in the front and the back allows for better ventilation in the summer months. While door flaps help a lot with keeping out wind and rain, choosing removable ones lets you open up the space when the heat is high. When ordering one of our cat houses, consider adding removable door flaps and extra doors to help make your cat house more versatile all year long.

4. Switch out your cats' bedding

We love our cats' bed to be comfy and cozy, especially in those cold winter months, but when it comes to the summer, the lighter the better. Switching thick mats and padding for cooler options like a folded cotton sheet, a cooling mat, bamboo, or even straw will help with breathability and wicking away moisture on hot days.

With these simple changes, your cat will feel much more comfortable all summer long and you will have peace of mind knowing that they are enjoying their summer vacation as much as you are.

Explore our selection of outdoor cat houses and feeding stations on our website, where you can customize your house to your liking by adding extra doors, door flaps, elevated legs (in multiple heights), and extended roofs.