Cats chilling out in the heat of the sun
By jugsjugs
@jugsjugs (12967)
July 31, 2011 5:40pm CST
You have to be very careful when cats get over heated, as just like with other animals as well as humans, we, as well as them can get dehydrated.My mums cat used to have to stay indoors in the summer a lot as he would always get dehydrated and would have to end up at the vets getting put right.However if not caught in time or if the cat has diabetes this could be more of a cat in a coma state.I have seen my mums cat and i will say that it scared me, as i thought the cat was going to die.My cats get to stay inside all the time, so i never have that worry, they also get a ceiling fan on them and loads to eat and drink.
9 people like this
24 responses
@catof1 (683)
• United States
31 Jul 11
I know what you mean! My dog just lies on the tile by our fireplace to stay cool. We go out to use the bathroom and she comes in with ICE water (yes ice water) and she is fine. She pants a lot till she has cooled down but she does well. NOw my brothers dog has epilepsy and if she gets to hot she can die, go into a coma or have a seizure. It pains me to see this and makes me want to weep.
1 person likes this
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
31 Jul 11
You can see how dogs can die when people leave them in cars, even if a car window is slightly open.I would hate to think of a cat or dog being over heated, as i saw the state my mums cat was in and it was horrid, i thought it was going to die.It is awful for us to be in the heat like that for a short time and we can take our clothes off, but the poor pets have to carry like a winter coat with them where they go.
@catof1 (683)
• United States
31 Jul 11
Yea I know what you mean. The only way they can cool off since they do not sweat is to pant. I feel for the buggers and I try to make them as comfortable as I can. For me I would prefer the cold weather even though it makes me hurt over the stupid heat! Thanks
@13tyates (1606)
• United States
31 Jul 11
My cats I always worry about because they seem to always want to stay outside. I know they need to come in so I will pick them up and bring them in. If I even open the door they are darting out into the 100 degree heat again! I swear they want to get dehydrated! Well, I just keep bringing them in and making them get a drink of water! It wears me out! 
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
31 Jul 11
During the day my husband puts water in bowls outside for all the stray cats that seem to keep showing their faces and also indoors for our cats.During the night my husband fills all bowls up with fresh water, as well as fills the sink with some water, as that way all the cats do not get dehydrated, i feel sorry for the cats as they are carrying what we would class as a winter coat on their backs.
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
31 Jul 11
We also have a cat that prefers the water straight from the tap rather than a bowl like all the other cats.My husband has to drive a lot and he has just got his air con filled up again and he says he feels sorry fo all the people that do not have air con in their cars.He also is a soft touch and he makes the cats some ice slush by crushing up the ice and then leaving it to melt in their water, mind you he do the same for our dogs as well.
@catof1 (683)
• United States
31 Jul 11
That is how my mothers cats are both tom cats too! I mean the LOVE to stay in side and get pampered but every few hours instead of using the bathroom inside the house they go outside and stay for an hour then meow to get back in. It is very very funny to see this happen as they both hate and love the heat. After they come in they DEMAND ice water., just hanging out by the fridge and not drink their tepid water until someone put ice in their water. I even caught my DAD giving them some and he supposedly does not like them. HE my dad works as a radiator specialist and works in the houston heat. AND he is turing 60 this year. ug
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
1 Aug 11
My cat got dehydrated a few times. Each time I would have to take him to the vet so they could hydrate him. What an expense along with the worry. Keeping them in and cool is smart for so many different reasons!
@joystick (1675)
•
8 Oct 11
I love to see cats basking in the sun, they look so contented.I know that white cats get cancer from the sun, mainly on their ears, they have the tips of their ears removed when they get the cancer.My friend buys sun cream for her cats and she gets the strongest that she can.I know that cats can get heat stroke also, that is very dangerous.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
2 Aug 11
My cat does this as well. My cat Dubby loves to sit out in front of the sun. He does not get overheated. Although, sadly, I think he might be the second of my cats to have feline leukemia. Never thought it could happen twice.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
24 Aug 11
I watch my dog all the time in the summer. She loves to be outside, no matter how hot it is. I have to make her come in and don't allow her to lay in the sun for long at a time while it is so hot. (It was 114 here yesterday)
I am also trying to remember to put ice cubes into her water bowl several times a day.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
2 Aug 11
haha, those cats seem like garfield to me!! They are leading a human's life rather than an animal's life.. lol 
I know cats hated cold, but warm weather should be all right for them right? After all, they are born to be wild and they will know when to cool themselves, especially by bathing themselves. hehe 
BUt i must admit u are one good owner!! haha
I know cats hated cold, but warm weather should be all right for them right? After all, they are born to be wild and they will know when to cool themselves, especially by bathing themselves. hehe BUt i must admit u are one good owner!! haha 
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
3 Aug 11
i guess all animals need some place cool most of the time.
my dog loves to stay in the bathroom at noon when it is so hot outside. she just lies in one corner of the bathroom and sleep.
best is always to give fresh water to drink.
have a nice day.
ann
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Aug 11
Our cats both stay inside all the time because there are a lot of wild cats in our neighborhood and I don't want to put either of my cats in any kind of danger. With that said, we also make sure that there is plenty of water available for our pets at all times. My older cat really likes to sit in the window during the day and watch the birds and things that live in our backyard. She is so funny while watching those animals.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
8 Aug 11
Does cat gets over heated like humans? I thought they are capable of keeping themselves cool, via bathing or licking themselves? I've always thought cats are scared of the cold since they do not have much fur to protect them, so they are more accustomed to the hot weather? No? Cats are intelligent animals and they should have higher survival rate compared to dogs.
@Joe_Black (253)
•
15 Aug 11
Your cats sound very lucky! I also keep all my cats indoors.. but sadly no ceiling fan. They'd just end up finding someway to get up there and tear it down! =P
Luckily in England there's not much worry of overheating... but I always found that my cats looked out for themselves... =)
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
1 Aug 11
Mine are out, by choice, most of the time. When it's hot you'll normally find them sleeping in the bushes, and there's always water around so they can help themselves when they need it. It's been nearly 40 degrees recently and they've been fine. Left to their own devices, I have never experienced a cat who has suffered dehydration.
I'm sorry that your Mum's cat has suffered so. Is there some reason why she doesn't drink to keep herself hydrated?
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Aug 11
Yes, dehydration is a scarey thing for animals, young kids and old folks. I know alot of pet owners don't think to put water down for their pets. I always have fresh water down. I don't think people realize that in the heat we sweat out the liquid and it needs to be replenished or we can get very sick.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Aug 11
I have two cats that live indoors only and I like the idea of them always being safe and not attacking the wildlife but I must be honest I never considered my beloved felines become dehydrated although it makes a lot of sense especially in regards to diabetic cats. It gets quite hot here and I always ensure there is plenty of water for all my animals and the house is air conditioned so they can’t complain!
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
1 Aug 11
I sure hope your mom's cat will be alright. I dont have a cat, I have a dog and he's indoors with me with the a/c on. So we both keep cool. He goes out for a bit of exercise and to do his thing then comes right back in. Ive noticed that he's drinking a lot more even though its cool inside.
Its best to make sure they always have fresh, cold water at all times.
@henkiprananda (2729)
• Indonesia
1 Aug 11
it's that thrue? i think cats very like with a hot weather, just like my cat. and it fine. thank's for your information.
@thetis74 (1525)
•
1 Aug 11
I think every living thing can get dehydrated and that's possibly what happened to these cats. What I am wondering about is why can't their instinct tell them to get off the sun when the body is saying that it is too much. Or maybe the effects of the heat tends to be much quicker than their instincts to respond to stay away.
