How can I cool down my cat?

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It is too hot here, and my poor special little princess is so warm

Now I have a couple fans on in my room, but she's a very fluffy cat, and quite big

I don't want her suffering in this heat, but I can't think how to cool her

She has water available in this room, but she still feels extremely hot

She's agoraphobic too, and it is dangerous out at night, so I can't take her outside

Any suggestions?

Just leave that cat alone man, she'll survive alright, it's not like alley cats need special treatment

If she doesn't mind, you can mist her with some water, the fans will help with that. Also, since she's long haired, a trip to the groomer might be in order. They can trim her hair down a bit so she doesn't get as hot.

If there is anywhere with tile in the house, put a fan near it, but not directly on the tile, and let her lay there. Cats don't usually like fans directly on them.

I have a way overweight cat. It got so bad in my apartment last summer I had to take her to mums house so she'd be ok.

To cool a cat, you must first understand how a cat cools itself. I'm not being pseudo-philosophical here, I'm serious.

Cats, dogs, and mice all have their sweat glands on their FEET. Blowing her hair around with a fan will accomplish one thing: Messy hair. You will also miff the princess who is sure to take it out on you (or something you love) later. You won't know when it will happen, but... it'll happen. It'll happen.

To facilitate their cooling, cats also lick the bottoms of their paws and their chests to cool down. Water on their fur will cool down their bodies.

So Kip's advice is dead on. Misting will wet the fur. First, distract princess with a toy or even your own hand. Remember, you are HER human and a shredded hand is a small price to pay for her happiness. If she absolutely won't tolerate misting, wet your hand first and pet her. Otherwise, make sure you have a tile area available for her or at least SOME kind of surface that will conduct heat away. You don't have to necessarily put her directly on it, but if she knows it is there, she will use it when she is hot enough.

Also, never disturb the princess when she is resting!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GWPOPSXGYI[/youtube]

haha You are absolutely awesome, I think I love you

The fans aren't blowing directly on her so her fur's not getting messedup or anything. They're just blowing the room. I didn't know about the feet thing (or if I did, I forgot)


That sleepy baby video is absolutely adorable btw

kip, she's actually not THAT long-haired, just very fluffy for an average-haired cat. Her hair isn't tangled or anything like that. she's just a very big furball

I used to have a Norwegian Forest cat, (they look like this)

http://www.forestcats.net/rescue.htm

She really suffered in warm weather. I always took her to a professional groomer, and got her trimmed way down. It helped a lot. Cat's fur grows back really quickly, so you might have to make a habit of trimming her during the warm months. Good luck!

<------This cat here recommends the FURminator.

Gets rid of the undercoat leaving your cat cool and dense.

That looks really cool! (No pun intended )

Yes.. and I've been meaning to say that I must approve of this change of avatar. Not that there is anything wrong with stringed instruments (though I play a woodwind, myself). The only thing I might suggest is, perhaps, the addition of a tinfoil accessory or two. I (of course) opted for the hat, but there is nothing stopping you from going with the earrings, the bracelet, or even the nose-ring if the mood strikes you*.

-- Your Fellow Feline

*NOTE: Always get permission of your owner before embarking on a course of action that leaves you with piercings, brandings, or heart-shaped tattoos of "MOM" on your bicep.

i beg your pardon? on the behalf of my cats: felines are not mere royalty. they are god/desses.

i hope your cat is feeling cooler soon. i live in an old adobe, and both cats seem to stay pretty content--temperature-wise, anyway. guess that's not exactly a practical solution, though--changing the whole residence. (though it may be possible that your cat would suggest it.)

u can let it drink water, but don't force it to. check your house ventilation and make sure the air circulates well. fan the cat if it wants to

if it is still hot and becomes short-tempered, talk in a soft tone to it saying that everything's gonna be alright and have faith

Hmm, this possibly should have gone in Random. Anyhoo, the last fluffy cat I knew liked refrigerated milk on hot days. Or stand her on cool tiles, or drop ice cubes in her water bowl.

on behalf of my cats: cooling your cat is not a social skill? it may be the most important one on this board!

Put the kitty in the tub and get her as wet as you can. She may hate it and try to scratch you, but the water will work. Obviously, you don't want to put her face in the water. I have done this for many cats when I had to go part of the summer without an air conditioner.

Put her in a washing machine on cold wash with some laundry. You get to clean your clothes, clean your cat, and cool your cat all in one action.

you made my day