whats the best way to cool down cats (insted of a bath!) in hot weather?

Answer 1

I put ice cubes in my kitty's water - he loves it.

Answer 2

Make sure they have some place cool to lay (which in this heat we've been having lately is nearly impossible) - So shade, indoors with AC is nice (but if you don't have it) A fan can work (don't leave it one when you aren't around though - cats have been known to knock them over.

I have one cat that will actually lay on a towel folded around a ice pack - but the other two won't - go figure.

Make sure they have plenty of cool water to drink - you can even put a couple ice cubes in it (don't want it too cold or they won't drink it) - When I lived in the midwest, we had a lot of cats outside, we would freeze empty milk jugs and cut them open in the morning allowing it to melt all day long and keep the bowl (it was large) of water cool all day.

Mainly, give them some place in the shade they can stretch out, make sure they have lots of cool water and don't play with them, they are hot and just really want to do nothing but sleep.

Remember most cats like to sleep in the sun, so a nice hot day for us isn't as bad for them even with their fur coats. If they are panting then they are hot and trying to cool off.

Another opition, for long hair cats, get their hair cut shorter (I don't suggest shaving, their fur give them protection from the sun)

HTH

Answer 3

Keeping inside with air conditioning(duh), putting ice in water dish, putting ice in a bowl in front of a fan, brushing and combing realy well to remove excess fur, providing shade for outdoor kitties (preferably with moist soil underneath), keeping a pan of shallow water so they can get thier feet wet, rubbing with a moist towel (especially ears and feet). Just some things off the top of my head, don't feel like you need to shave a long haired cat, they can get sunburn if they go outside, and it takes a while for the fur to come back, so when it gets cold you'll have another problem! My kitty loves sitting in the sun where it gets 85F or more, as long as they have cool places to go and is not panting or breathing heavy, they seem to have a better tolerance than we do.

Answer 4

When cats get hot, they pant just like dogs. Offering them a cool place to lay, near an AC vent can help. Also, making sure they have plenty of cool, fresh water can help as well.

Answer 5

When we have fans on, both portable in every room and a ceiling fan in the kitchen, our cats have always been able to find that very place on the floor to spread out where there is a nice breeze blowing their way! Usually, I think they know how to cool themselves down - ours often spread themselves out so as much surface area is exposed (like that cute white tummy!).

Answer 6

Who said the cat is hot anyway? My cats are fine in the hot weather, they find ways to cope like we do!

Answer 7

i have a small cupboard under the stairs which i put 4 of those cooler box ice packs on the bottom shelf (about a foot off the ground) and Norman the cat loves it. (leave the door open though)

Answer 8

leave them in a cool shady spot. make sure you have plenty of cool water readilly availiable for them, avoid dry food in this weather. if you have any ponds, cats especially like to drink out of those.

Answer 9

let them lay down on a ceramic floor or put them next to the air vent. Bless his kitty kat heart in this heat!

Answer 10

They will find somewhere cool to lay. Put fans on and leave windows open
Liz

Answer 11

Give them plenty of water to drink and a place that is airy and away from the sun.