How do we keep our cats cools in this heatwave when we’re not home?
Lulu asked:
We’re in our air-conditioned offices all day, while our poor cats are locked up in hot apartments. I know they sleep in the bathroom, but even that is hot now. I leave all my windows open for them. (I know the heat comes in, but at least they get some air.) I myself can’t leave the air-conditioner on all day, nor any fans, as can’t afford the cost. How have other cat owners coped with this situation? Any tips would be welcome. My poor cats are panting in this hot weather.
Sorry, my spelling mistake. Should read “How do we keep our cats cool in this heatwave when we’re not home?”
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We’re in our air-conditioned offices all day, while our poor cats are locked up in hot apartments. I know they sleep in the bathroom, but even that is hot now. I leave all my windows open for them. (I know the heat comes in, but at least they get some air.) I myself can’t leave the air-conditioner on all day, nor any fans, as can’t afford the cost. How have other cat owners coped with this situation? Any tips would be welcome. My poor cats are panting in this hot weather.
Sorry, my spelling mistake. Should read “How do we keep our cats cool in this heatwave when we’re not home?”
June 11th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Some fans are very cheap. Just one would probably make them much happier. If they are short haired cats, they may be hot, but they should be fine. Probably even for long-haired cats. At least, mine has been ok!
June 12th, 2009 at 12:05 am
My daughter is a licensed groomer and she suggests you use a grooming tool called a Zoom Groom. It is a silicone brush designed to fit in the palm of your hand. It will remove a great deal of your cats undercoat, leaving them better equipped to deal with the heat. PetSmart carries this, they run about $10.I would also leave a bowl of ice out in the morning. It will provide them with cool water all day, allowing them to lower their body temperature.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I leave my AC on. If you can’t, leaving a fan on will use very little electricity and may save their lives. Make sure they have plenty of water available at all times.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
we used to freeze those 2 liter bottles and leave them out on the kitchen or bathroom floors so that the cat could cool off by laying down next to it, and it worked pretty well, plus put ice in there water bowls.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I would get one oscillating floor style fan, 12-16 inch in diameter. I use my fan for many hours, and it does not effect the electric bill much at all. Direct it toward the upper quarter of the room. heat rises,, and the fan will rotate the air better, forcing the heat to move. Kitty cats will be much more comfortable. Check your weather forecast for the day, to decide how to set the breeze. Temps at or above 75, should be set for med to high. Temps below 75, should be set for med to low. You won’t be sorry. ~~Mafi
June 19th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
1- put a blanket (or large beach towel) in the freezer over night, right before you leave for work take the blanket out for them to lay on during the day
2- fill some empty plastic bottles half full of ice and freeze them over night, right before you leave for work take them out of the freezer and leave them all around the house for your cats to chew on (one or two per cat and put one in their water bowls)
3- put out extra water bowls all over the house
4- try to keep shaded areas near the breezy windows
June 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
In front of your open windows hang up damp towels that have their bottom hems in buckets of water. This way damp cooler air is wafting through the apartment. Also have a couple of oscillating fans going. These are cheap to run.
Make sure there is heaps of water around for them to drink. As soon as you get home, change their water for fresh cool water.
Also close up any drapes that don’t cover open windows. The less light/sun getting in the cooler it will be. Maybe only by a few degrees but every little bit helps.