Your Summer Cat-care Guide
Read time: 5 min
Ah, summer in the UK: longer days, warmer nights and… fleas, ticks and heatstroke... ?! Yep. While we’re fighting burnt BBQ sausages, rosé headaches and dodgy sunburn, our cats are dealing with a whole different set of seasonal challenges.
Luckily, the research is in, and we’ve pulled together the latest science-backed insights (with a side of common sense) to help your cat stay comfy, cool and cared for during the warm weather.
1. Fleas love summer
Fleas are the UK’s most common pet parasite. And they really come alive in summer. One big study dug into millions of vet records and found flea cases spike between July and September, especially in young cats, crossbreeds and those with outdoor access.
And guess what? Even if your cat seems fine, they could still be hosting some unwelcome hitchhikers. Fleas are often picked up during routine vet visits, not because owners noticed anything at home.
How to fight the flea:
Keep up with vet-recommended flea treatments. Even indoor cats aren’t immune!
Give your cat a weekly brush-through and flea comb check, especially if they roam outdoors.
2. Ticks are out in force (and they’re sneaky)
Ticks might not seem like a big deal… until you find one embedded behind your cat’s ear. A recent UK-wide study shows tick activity soars from May to September, especially in rural and coastal areas.
Who’s most at risk? Medium- or long-haired cats, those who roam and male or non-neutered cats. Basically, free-spirited cats who love hedgerows and hunting.
Tick tactics:
Check your cat over after garden adventures or countryside strolls.
Ask your vet about spot-ons or collars that tackle both fleas and ticks.
Keep brushes handy — long fur can hide tiny invaders.
3. Heatstroke is more common than you think
Think heat-related illness only affects dogs left in hot cars? Think again.
One study found 75% of cat heatstroke cases happened in June or July, with older cats (15+) hit hardest. The signs aren’t always obvious, but they can be deadly.
Red flag symptoms include:
Lethargy or panting (yep, cats do pant when overheated).
Vomiting, drooling or acting wobbly.
Collapsing or unresponsiveness — time to get to a vet, fast.
How to help:
Keep cool water available 24/7 and offer shady spots.
Don’t let cats get shut in sheds or greenhouses — it happens more often than you'd think.
On really warm days, consider keeping them inside during peak heat.
4. Summer is prime hunting season
More daylight = more prey = more ‘gifts’ on the doormat. Research showed cats bring home the most prey in summer, especially if they’re the only pet in the house.
The most common victims are small mammals like voles and mice, who are also busy raising families during warmer months.
Want to reduce the carnage?
Fit a quick-release collar with a bell (studies show they reduce kill rates).
Set a summer curfew — cats go full nocturnal mode this time of year.
Enrich indoor playtime to burn off that natural predator energy.
5. Kitten season doesn’t end in spring
Spring may be peak kitten season, but unplanned litters don’t stop there. One major study confirmed seasonal breeding patterns are alive and well in UK cats, with pregnancy risk staying high right through summer.
If you’ve been putting off neutering… now’s your sign.
Why summer is spay season:
Outdoor cats face a much higher pregnancy risk in warm months.
Spaying helps avoid ‘surprise’ litters. And reduces the risk of certain cancers.
Bonus: neutered cats tend to roam less and pick up fewer parasites (double win).
6. Summer shrinks their territory (but increases night wanders)
A 2024 cat-tracking study followed 56 cats across the UK and found something surprising: in summer, cats actually reduced their home ranges, possibly because it’s too hot to roam far. Or because prey is more abundant nearby.
But while they’re staying closer to home, they’re also more active at night, especially in hotter weather. So if your cat is vanishing at 10 p.m. and showing up at 4 a.m. looking smug… now you know why.