Why does my cat eat less when it's hot?
With our cats , we have a lot in common. We like to sleep, gossip in the neighborhood (yes, yes, let's admit it!), take care of ourselves and especially eat. Just like our cats, we are big foodies, whose appetite can however fluctuate. One day, we can devour a huge plate of pasta, and another only eat a small Caesar salad, sauce on the side. And it is especially during the summer that our appetite is the weakest. Because yes, when it's hot, we eat less!
For our cats, it's exactly the same thing. During periods of high heat and heatwaves , our beloved cats also experience a loss of appetite. Despite their legendary gluttony, they eat less. According toa study published in 2014, the food intake of our domestic cats would drop by 15% in summer!
So if your cat is no longer eating all of his pâté or his entire bowl of kibble, don't worry. He's just less hungry because of the heat . 😺
However, keep an eye on your cat. A loss of appetite is normal when there are no other signs observed. On the other hand, if your feline does not seem well, consult your veterinarian urgently. He could indeed be suffering from heatstroke , the symptoms of which include a loss of appetite, but also tremors, significant salivation, staggering gait, abnormal breathing or even convulsions.
And in case your cat has stopped eating completely, also contact your veterinarian. A total loss of appetite in cats can be a sign of a more or less serious pathology. We explain everything in our article “ Why is my cat no longer eating”.
My cat eats less when it’s hot, what should I do?
Place his bowl in a cool place
To encourage your cat to eat, place its bowl of pâté and/or kibble in a cool place. This could be in your bathroom for example or in your garage if you have one.
Don't have a cool room in your home? There are a few tricks to freshen up your home , such as hanging wet towels or freshly washed clothes on the windows or on a clothes horse. You can also wash your floor with cool water. The evaporation of the water will freshen up the ambient air in your home. And of course, remember to close your shutters and/or curtains during the day and air in the morning and evening to let in some fresh air.
Divide your meals into small quantities.
When it's hot, our cats have a reduced appetite and don't eat their entire bowl. If you offer your cat wet food, namely pâté, it will inevitably dry out and your feline will not want to finish it.
To avoid this, we recommend that you divide your whiskered cat's meals into small quantities. For a 100 gram tub of pâté, you can, for example, divide it into three or four, in the form of several small meals. Your cat will enjoy its small portions and will not let its pâté dry out in its bowl.
It should be noted, however, that our felines eat mainly in the morning and evening. Just like their desert ancestors, they hardly eat anything between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They feast mainly in the early morning and evening, when the sun begins to set and when the temperatures are a little cooler. If you offer your cat his food during the day, he may turn his nose up at it or only take a tiny bite of his pâté.
During the day, however, don't hesitate to provide him with some kibble, in case he gets a little hungry.
To find out the quantities of kibble and/or pâté to give your cat, don't hesitate to use our ration calculator.
Favor wet food
Croquettes or pâtés, during periods of high heat and heatwaves, we advise you to favor pâté as much as possible.
This is ideal for your cat, because it will provide him with all the nutrients he needs to be healthy and will especially meet his water needs. Just like us, our little companions need to be well hydrated when it's hot!
Let's not forget that our cats are small drinkers who do not always instinctively drink from their water bowl. In nature, they hydrate themselves mainly through their prey. Although we have the impression that they drink enough, our indoor felines actually have difficulty meeting their water needs, especially if they only eat dry food (kibble).
The pâté is very rich in water and will hydrate your cat sufficiently. He will consume water without realizing it. No one will see it!
Hydration is extremely important for your cat, especially when temperatures rise. In cats, dehydration can lead to urinary problems, vomiting, constipation, etc.
Tip: If your cat only likes kibble, you can also offer him some diced zucchini. This vegetable is very rich in water and has the advantage of providing good hydration. Don't hesitate to consult our article on the benefits of zucchini for your cat, we share with you all the necessary information on the quantities to offer.
You can also find all our tips on our blog for keeping your cat cool during the summer.
Quality pâté for your cat!
Please note, however, that the pâté must be of good quality. Not all commercially available trays are equal. To help you make the right choice, do not hesitate to consult our article on “ what is the best pâté for my cat ”. We share with you lots of advice to offer the best possible diet to your cat.
At Ziggy, we take care of your cat as if it were our own. Formulated by Veterinarian Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, our pâtés are rich in quality proteins, low in carbohydrates and provide all the nutrients your cat needs to be happy and healthy. 💛
How can I properly store my cat's pâtés and kibbles when it's hot?
Cans of pâté should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and humidity ; in a cupboard or drawer, away from any heat source. You don't need to keep them in the refrigerator!
On the other hand, place your cat's pâtés in the fridge if they are opened. Be careful where they are placed; put them in the cold zone of your fridge, where the most fragile products are stored, such as meat, cooked and uncooked cold meats, creams, opened fresh products or fresh cheeses. This zone is located at the bottom or top of your fridge (depending on the brand and model). An open tray can be kept in the fridge for 48 hours!
As for kibble, it must also be stored in a dry place and away from heat (less than 30 °C) and humidity. You can place your cat's kibble in a cupboard in your kitchen, but it must be far from the oven and hotplates. After opening, there is no need to keep it in the refrigerator. Simply close the package well and offer your cat its kibble within 4 to 6 weeks. Beyond that, the kibble may be less appetizing and lose its nutritional quality.
To learn more, read our article on how to properly store your cat's kibble and pâtés.
If you have a question or need personalized support, we are here for you. Do not hesitate to contact us at hello@ziggyfamily.com 💛
Bonjour Cécile,
Merci pour votre commentaire. On espère que vos trois moustachus vont très bien. 😻
Nous conseillons de consommer les croquettes dans les 4 à 6 semaines, dès lors que le paquet est ouvert. Si vous le refermez bien et si vous le conservez à l’abri de la lumière et de toute source de chaleur, il n’y a aucun souci. Vos petits chats peuvent continuer à se régaler sans crainte.
Si vous avez d’autres questions, n’hésitez pas à nous écrire à hello@ziggyfamily.com. Émilie et Xinaïs seront ravies de vous aider. 💛
Plein de caresses à vos chats.
L’équipe Ziggy
Bonjour Ziggyfamily,
J ‘ai plusieurs gros paquets de croquettes de différentes marques que je conserve bien fermées dans mon sous sol (et maintenant j ai les croquettes Ziggy 1kg tres petit paquet que je conserve dans ma cuisine)Seulement voila dans votre article vous dites qu elles doivent etre consommées dans les 4 a 6 semaines ce qui est loin d ’etre le cas avec mes trois moustachus.En ce qui concerne l’ appetence il n’y a aucun souci avec mes poilus par contre la qualité nutritionnelle peut etre affectée d ‘apres ce que j ai lu, pouvez vous m’ en dire plus ?y a t il un inconvénient a poursuivre avec ces croquettes au delà de 6 semaines ?Les taux de mineraux sont ils modifiés ?
Par avance je vous remercie pour votre réponse
Cordialement
Cécile
Bonjour Sandra,
Merci pour votre commentaire. 💛
Si vous avez d’autres questions, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter. Nous sommes là pour vous. 😽
Plein de caresses à votre petit chat.
L’équipe Ziggy
Merci pour votre article sur la perte d’appétit en cas de fortes chaleur. C effectivement le cas en ce moment et je me posais justement des questions me voila rassuree!!
Bonjour Brigitte,
Merci pour votre commentaire, ça nous touche beaucoup 💛
Si votre chat délaisse ses croquettes, mais apprécie les pâtées, vous pouvez basculer sur une alimentation exclusivement humide 😺. N’hésitez pas à utiliser notre calculateur de ration juste ici : https://ziggyfamily.com/pages/calculateur-de-ration-lg pour savoir exactement quelle quantité de pâtée donner à votre petit compagnon.
Vous pouvez aussi nous contacter directement à hello@ziggyfamily.com.
Plein de caresses à votre petit chat 🐾💛
Bonjour. Merci pour vos lettres toujours drôles et tendres. Mon chat de 10 mois réclame plus qu’une boite de pâté par jour et délaisse les croquettes. Il a de l’exercice dans le jardin, n’est pas en surpoids. Dois-je céder ?
Merci.
Brigitte
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