Making your Russian Blue comfortable in Summer

As spring is approaching, we already covered an article on how Russian Blues can go through a massive malt at this time of year. Summer, depending on where you live is often a good time to play with your Russian or even welcome a new kitten into your home, especially with the warmer weather drawing in.

In the NSW Central West, we often get harsh and dry summers (although the last few years made me doubt this!) We can often get days above 35 Celsius, and in places such as Sydney and Wollongong (as well as going further north) you also have the impacts of humidity coming into play. This can be a good time to take some precautions to support your Russian during intense heat periods.

Regular weekly or bi-weekly grooming is a good idea to loosen that undercoat, remove unneeded hair and make things a little cooler for your Russian. Most do well in the heat but at times, the dense double coat can be a bit too warm for our climate!

Also ensuring you have water always on hand and around so they can drink and stay hydrated is a solid option. You can even buy cat mini ‘Kong’ toys that you fill with treats. These can act as stimulation when you are not around as they are filled with food. But they also have another purpose. If you fill with food and treats, put some gravy or wet food sauce in, plug it up and freeze it, it is also a good way to keep your Russian cool when you are not around.

In the Central West and Riverina, having cooler areas indoors is also useful, such as exposed concrete in the shade or tiles in the home. You may even see your Russian on cooler days sprawl out and lay down in cooler areas to reduce body temperament by opening their surface area of their body for more effective heat expulsion. This might be less an issue in places like Orange with cooler climates, but areas like the ACT this can be good to allow ongoing access for your cat during really got days.

Some people even message us noting their Russians will even play in water or with ice cubes during the summer month, a way to keep cool and have fun at the same time! We recommend having a few different ways to keep your Russian cool if the summer months will be hot where you are.