Wearing a permanent fur coat can’t be much fun in the summer, especially when heat and humidity reach record levels like we’ve seen this month. Cats have a particularly hard time staying cool; they sweat, but only through their paws, and that doesn’t amount to much surface area from which to dissipate their body heat.

Cats with skin disorders suffer doubly in the heat. I used to feel sorry for my grandmother’s cat, Pepper, who lived to be 20 but was always battling itchy skin. With no air conditioning in Grandma’s house, I’m sure Pepper’s “hot spots” were even more miserable through much of July and August.

Here are some tips for keeping your cat comfortable this summer:

• Make sure indoor cats have access to cool surfaces such as tile, hardwood, or vinyl floors they can stretch out on.
• Did you know cats lick themselves to cool off? When the saliva on their fur evaporates, it lowers their body temperature (similar to how we cool down when our sweat evaporates off our skin). So, be sure to brush your cat regularly to keep hairballs from developing due to heat-related grooming.
• Never confine your indoor cat to a hot room, or your outdoor cat to an area without shade. A cat’s normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises just a few degrees, the cat may suffer heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, which can cause brain damage or death.
• Replenish tabby’s water bowl often so he can keep himself properly hydrated.

If your feline companion has itchy skin due to allergies, immune disorders, hot spots, dry skin, or rashes, try supplementing its diet with an Omega 3 fish oil product. This natural approach can boost your cat’s immunity, create a healthy coat, and…well, what cat wouldn’t like a little fish oil added to its food?

There is also a wide range of hypoallergenic and soothing shampoos and conditioners on the market for cats with heavily soiled or sticky fur (the result of too much cattin’ around outside, no doubt!). These products can calm the itch and moisturize the skin beneath the fur, but be careful: veterinarians say washing a cat frequently can compound the itchiness by drying out the skin. Most of the time, kitty’s tongue can take care of clean-up just fine.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor

Cool Cat items to try:

Ark Naturals Royal Coat EFA:http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/632634110086.html

Pet Naturals of Vermont SOOTHE Oatmeal Shampoo for Dogs & Cats 16 fl oz:http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664867513.html

Pet Naturals of Vermont CLEAN Shampoo + Conditioner in 1 for Dogs & Cats 16 fl oz:http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/026664867711.html

Nordic Naturals Pet Omega 3 Cats and Small Breed Dogs 2 fl oz:http://www.allvitaminsplus.com/768990505058.html