Extinguishing Heat Exhaustion in Cats

Are you a pet parent living in an area with hot summers? If you don't have air conditioning, you may be worried about your cat getting heat exhaustion. There may be a flurry of questions going through your mind: What will happen while you're gone during the day? Will your kitty sweat — or suffer?

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep your home cool enough for your feline friend.

Hot Town, Summer for the Kitty

When temperatures start to rise, your cat might be more comfortable than you think: according to The Washington Post, their average body temperature stays around a toasty 39 degrees Celsius. Since their ancestors evolved in the desert, the cat can also get most of their moisture from food.

However, this doesn't mean they’ll be safe and comfortable locked in a warm house. Cats can't sweat as humans do. Instead, your feline friend needs to release heat continually by lying on cool surfaces, panting, and drinking cold water.

Make sure your kitty is comfortable by doing a few precautionary things around the house:

• Water, water, everywhere: Since water will evaporate faster in the summer — and your cat might be disinclined to trek around the house — it's a good idea to keep several bowls of cold water throughout your home. If you live in a multi-level house, keep a bowl on every floor. Putting them under a chair or away from sunlight and cat food might make them more appealing. You can even place some empty pet bowls in the freezer overnight and fill them in the morning to help the water stay colder longer.
• Homemade ice pack: Leave a homemade ice pack where your cat likes to lounge. If your cat gets too warm, a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel is a good daytime nap buddy (remember to put it back in the freezer when you return home). Never leave your cat alone with a commercial ice pack, since the chemicals in it could be dangerous to them if it pops or leaks.
• Close the curtains: By darkening a few rooms, you can limit the amount of sun and heat that enters your home during the day. Not only will your feline friend be thankful for the shade, but you also won't be hit with heat the minute you walk in the door.
• Keep a fan running: A small fan or two in the right spots can help circulate air and keep your cat cooler throughout the day. You can also consider using a timer for the fan if you don't want it running all day.
• Make them a cool cave: Cats love to cool down under furniture, so consider putting your bed on risers to give them lots of room to relax and sleep comfortably. Alternatively, putting a tablecloth on your kitchen table might give them a breezy hideaway on a cool tile or wood floor.