86F in my living room

[rushthatspeaks]

which is actually a decided improvement from earlier in the day. Of course, upstairs it is worse.

The problem with it being so hot that the cat has melted into a puddle on the floor is that, being a cat, she is something of a drama queen, but also, she is a long-hair, so I worry. I suspect her of having anxiety, as even in this weather she will only drink 1) from the bathroom sink, in a slow trickle, if 2) I am in the room with her, because she has to know what I'm doing if I'm elsewhere, but 3) I must not be watching her drink, because I might be a predator. So it is now part of my routine to drift into the bathroom and stare vaguely into the shower for a few minutes once an hour or so. I'd hang something up to look at, but it's a shower.

She came to us from a household with eleven children, and if that doesn't give a cat hypervigilant anxiety, I don't know what would.

I have been offering her cold packs and damp towels and ice in her bowl, but she would prefer not to. I'd assume this means she's all right, except that she is a cat, and therefore not only a drama queen about the tiny things but brilliant at hiding any major ones. The internet claims it shouldn't be a problem until it's 90F or over, but I can't help worrying.

I'm doing all right; I take a wet towel to bed with me. And it's not (yet) ever broken 95F, which is where I stop being able to eat or think. I can't eat anything hot, or cook, at this temperature, but there's plenty of tasty food that doesn't require that. Not looking forward to August, though.

Comments

[kathmandu]

My cat was scared of the ice cubes floating in her bowl. (She was old and had vision problems.) I wound up making two water bowls, putting one in the fridge, and swapping it with the bowl at her food-site every hour or so. The water was cool at least some of the time, and she wasn't afraid to drink.

[jesse_the_k]

Thinking of all your family

[asakiyume]

It sounds like you're taking good care of her, but I understand your worry. This is probably a very stupid question, but is it a done thing to give longhaired cats a haircut/shave in hot weather? ... Okay, you know what; I can look this up on the internet, and I see it *can* be done but they recommend you have a professional do it, which may not be a viable possibility.

[sovay]

I can look this up on the internet, and I see it *can* be done but they recommend you have a professional do it, which may not be a viable possibility.

I knew a Himalaya who used to get a very classy lion cut every summer, but it was definitely not a DIY job.

[pameladean]

She probably wouldn't care for it at ALL, but you can theoretically brush cool water through a cat's fur and then turn on a fan for them to lie in front of. I've known two cats who permitted the water brushing, and both immediately lay down in front of the fan as soon as it was turned on. Most cats aren't having it, though.

Seems unlikely with this cat, though.

We're getting a loooong heat wave starting tomorrow. Whee. I am having groceries delivered at 1:30 this morning on the grounds that that is the coolest time we will see for quite a while.

P.

[sovay]

The internet claims it shouldn't be a problem until it's 90F or over, but I can't help worrying.

Will she let you pet her with a wet hand? I have done this successfully with our cats; it gives them a spiky, punk look, but the value of the evaporation seems to override the indignity.

Love.

[nineweaving]

All of these sound like excellent, expert dodges, but poor kitty! Poor you!

Love,

Nine

[movingfinger]

If the cat will allow you, and is in front of a running fan, wiping ears and paws with a cool damp cloth may help. Ruffle fur up a bit. With my Norwegian I notice that over about 78F his ears and nose are unusually flushed and pink, I assume to dump heat. Offer wet food that's cool but not icebox-cold, with a little extra water in it if she seems dehydrated.

[lokifan]

<3

Today might break records here in London (40C - we usually barely break 30C even in summer) so am staying in my room with the curtains closed! Managed to stop my boss from taking some kids on walkabout with zero shade this afternoon, at least.

[davidgillon]

so am staying in my room with the curtains closed!

Ditto! It's 34 or 35C here, depending on who you check, and I'm 30m outside of London, so I'm guessing it's at least a couple of degrees hotter in the city. My house is reasonably cool, but I took a step out onto the patio, went 'Oh. My. God!' and stepped back inside.

[rachelmanija]

Poor kitty. My cats are mostly melted, but they're shorthairs and seem to be doing OK.