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So how do cats deal with hot weather? I live in Portland, OR--not exactly hot--but we've had a heat wave this week (into the 90's) and I suspect this will be a hot summer. What should I do for the kitties? Yggdrasil has been laying on the floor and lounging--looking miserable, much like me! I don't know if they are uncomfortable, or if they even notice the heat....Any suggestions?
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Portland
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 2:45 PMAnything you would do for yourself, i.e. lots of fresh water, shady spots if outside, access to the cooler areas of the house if inside. Cats tolerate the heat pretty well as long as they can stay hydrated. They will lounge around a bit more just like we do when the heat is unbearable. -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 4:10 PMI honestly don't know if this really helps them, but it feels to me like it might....so, with that said..... I'll wet my hands down and pet them, wet hands again, pet again, repeating until their fur is nice and moist. I figure it would make them feel cooler for a while. They seem to like it, but again, I'm sure how much it really helps. -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 4:42 PM"I'll wet my hands down and pet them, wet hands again, pet again, repeating until their fur is nice and moist"
I've done that kind of thing for my cats, if they came in from the heat panting. We used to live in Arizona, and they did enjoy the heat unless it got over about 107 degrees F. They only once in a while needed me to take direct action to cool them down, and they would often want to go outside in the middle of the day. In addition to wetting them down, I would also open a can of cat food, and water it down with cool water, or I would offer them chicken broth, to make sure they got enough liquid. -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 4:50 PMIce cubes in their water is also good. A cat should not stay panting for long. -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 5:23 PMSo far I have not seen them panting. Just laying around looking exhausted. They're indoor only. They haven't really touched their water much. How do I get them to drink more?? (I've done the ice cube thing. ) -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 5:48 PMYou could try some kind of fountain....
www.petfoodstore.co.uk/acatal...in.html
or those little unbrellas that fold open...;o)) -
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Re: Heat
Thu, May 18, 2006 - 5:51 PMOr this one's nice. Reminds me of a miniature water slide...
www.amazon.com/gp/product...985-4846333
Yeah...add a couple mice ...;o0
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Re: Heat
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 12:10 AMCats originated in the deserts of north Africa. As a desert species, they generally obtain most of their necessary liquids by eating nice, juicy prey. Sure it's gross to think about, but a cat in the wild will derive water from consuming the blood of the animals they hunt. They have less drive to drink water than what will give them optimal hydration. This is why feeding them wet food is important. In summer, I have sometimes added water to their canned food to make sure they got enough water. If you are feeding them dry food, consider feeding them one meal a day of either canned food, or make homemade cat food with plenty of broth. -
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Re: Heat
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 4:35 AMMy cat likes to lay on the floor beneath the ceiling fan, when it's hot. Sometimes he even lays by the air conditioner. But then again, in the winter he likes to lay by the heating vent to keep warm.
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Re: Heat
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 6:17 AMSince my kitties have long hair I shave their bellies in the summer , Soso will lay like a cat skin rug (belly side down ) on the cool porcelain of the bath tub or on the hard wood floors , it seems to help . -
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Re: Heat
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 5:45 PMi live in portland too, and it has been hot. i adopted doohickey in houston, and moved him to california from there, so he is no stranger to heat. i find him chilling under cars a lot. -
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Re: Heat
Sun, May 21, 2006 - 4:08 AMIce cubes in the water bowls are helpful. Keeping rooms dark and fans or AC on is also good. Cats will find places to cool down all on their own. My babies like to sit in the sink or bathtub when its really warm...the porcelain stays nice and cool.
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