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Keeping Kitty Cool

It's 96º in the offices of The Cat's Meow! Cats, like their nemesis, the dog, don't sweat—so you have to help keep them cool in other ways. The experts at About.com recommend:

1.  Don't leave your cat in the car! Interior temperatures of parked cars (even with the windows "cracked") can exceed 140º. You wouldn't be comfortable at that temperature, and it can be FATAL to your cat!

2.  Make sure your cat has plenty of water. Cats need water to stay cool. If your cat doesn't like to drink water, try giving him a drink from a dripping or running faucet. If he drinks from a dish willingly, add a few ice cubes to keep the water cool.

3.  Give him a cool place to stay. If you're gone all day, make sure to leave the air conditioner on, or leave screens open and a fan on for Kitty. If you have a safe basement area, put the cat downstairs when you leave; the concrete will stay cool.

4.  If it's really hot, try giving Kitty a bath. No, not in the tub! Wipe her down with a wet towel frequently. If you have kittens, you can dip them in a sinkful of room temperature water, and then lightly towel dry them. (This has a side benefit: when the kittens are grown, they'll fight baths less.)

5.  Brush your cat frequently. Not only will you prevent mats and hairballs, but your cat will be more comfortable. Wipe him down with a damp towel to cool him off and prevent stray hairs from flying about.

6.  Don't overfeed your cat. Most cats are smart enough not to overeat, but removing her food dish when she's had enough will not only keep her from overeating, but will prevent flies, ants, and other nasty critters from coming after the leftovers.

7.  Plan for Kitty when you vacation. He's probably happier being left at home with a caregiver or petsitter stopping in daily to provide fresh food and water (and a clean litterbox!), but if you must travel with your cat, please see this article for tips on traveling with a pet.

8.   If your cat shows signs of distress such as panting, anxiety (maybe he paces constantly?), lethargy, dark red gums, increased heartbeat, or a body temperature above 104º (measured rectally - get instructions on taking a cat's temperature here), get the cat to a vet immediately! Heat stress can be fatal!

9.   If you have a white cat (or a cat with white ears, or large areas of white fur), keep it in the shade as much as possible. White cats can sunburn, and develop skin cancer just like humans.

Adapted from About.com ... with the addition of a few tips from the TCM files.