How to Protect Inside Cats from Summer Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a condition that many associate with humans, dogs or outside cats after prolonged exposure to the sun. However, humans, dogs and outside cats are not the only ones that are at risk of developing heat exhaustion.
 Inside cats are also prone to suffering from the increased temperatures as summer approaches. Cat owners need to take preventative measures to protect their inside cats from heat exhaustion. Read on to learn more about what you can do to protect your inside cats from the harm caused by heat exhaustion.

Inside Shelter

Inside cats need to have plenty of places around the home where they can find shelter from the blazing sun. If you usually leave the blinds open all the way during the day while you are at work, it would be a good idea to think again. The blazing sun's rays can quickly heat up a home and leave inside cats with little to no shelter around the home during the daylight hours. If you must leave some of the shades open, opt for just one room to allow some sun in and leave the rest of the shades shut. This will keep the temperature down inside the home as well as allow inside cats more shelter from the sun's harmful rays.

More Water

Heat exhaustion can badly affect cats, which can lead to the more serious condition of heatstroke. But before it ever gets that far, make sure that your inside cats always have plenty of fresh water in several different locations once the weather heats up. Remember to replenish your cats' water supply each day and whenever you notice that it is running low, add a fresh supply. Some cats drink less when the weather heats up. But you can encourage inside cats to drink more if you add an ice cube in their water bowls and keep the water clean and fresh. But if you notice that cats are not drinking as much as usual, gently coax them to drink by taking them up to their water bowl and placing them down beside it.

Cool Compress

Related information
  • Provide inside cats with plenty of shelter that is cool
  • Encourage inside cats to drink more by replenishing their water more often
  • Use a cool compress to cool down cats that have become over heated
 
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great tips.

Posted on 04/30/2008 at 1:04:16 PM

Excellent topic. Super tips.

Posted on 04/25/2008 at 10:04:54 AM

Once, while taking four cats to the vet in a car (whose owner should have read SkyeDanzer's recent article on car air conditioning), I bought a large cup of ice water from a drive-through fast-food place. After sipping the water I noticed that the cats were panting. In desperation I scooped out one ice cube, scooped out one cat, and rubbed the ice cube over her back. She squeaked, squirmed, then realized the ice felt good. Before we reached the vet all four cats had received ice massages and were clamoring for more. Maintaining a car in good condition is definitely the "greener" and thriftier alternative for car owners. For passengers, this tip might save an animal's life some day.

Posted on 04/23/2008 at 10:04:09 AM

wonderful tips!! i will forward this to my coworker. she has 2 cats. :)

Posted on 04/23/2008 at 9:04:19 AM

Wonderful topic.

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 7:04:44 PM

Great tips!

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 6:04:39 PM

Good information for cat owners! People always think about dogs during the summer, but cats need to be kept free of heat exhaustion too!

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 2:04:53 PM

Very nice and informative. I like the tip about the ice cube. Also, using a syringe to squirt water into their mouths is very helpful. Thanks Sophie :) .

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 1:04:18 PM

Very good tips, Sophie! We have to remember that our furry babies get hot too, esp wearing fur coats all the time.

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 1:04:01 PM

This is such a great article. Some cat owners forget that their inside cats need protection during the summer as well.

Posted on 04/22/2008 at 10:04:06 AM

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