Horrible Heat!

I have a Persian cat with long, white fur. The other day, it was 38 degrees Celcius here, which is VERY hot, and the poor thing was just sweatin'! I'd like to know how I can help her cool off a bit. I'm uneasy about leaving a fan on in the house. Who knows what could happen?? Also, I'm unsure of clipping her coat. I wouldn't do it myself of course, she'd look like I tried to use a weed wacker on her, but I don't know how much something like that would cost. Plus, she's got this gorgeous, curly fur on her underbelly, and I'd want that to grow in the same. Not really something you can guarantee, but... Ok, anyway, back to my original question, what ever it was... Oh! If anyone has any helpful tips on keeping my kitty cool, let me know! Thanks a bunch!

Poor thing the heat does drain them doesn't it.

Luckily the room Rosie and Sophie are in while i'm at work doesn't have the sun when it's at it's hottest, but i leave the window open slightly to let a breeze through and also put ice cubes in their water.

Originally Posted by SerenasMommy

I have a Persian cat with long, white fur. The other day, it was 38 degrees Celcius here, which is VERY hot, and the poor thing was just sweatin'!

I'd like to know how I can help her cool off a bit. I'm uneasy about leaving a fan on in the house. Who knows what could happen?? Also, I'm unsure of clipping her coat. I wouldn't do it myself of course, she'd look like I tried to use a weed wacker on her, but I don't know how much something like that would cost. Plus, she's got this gorgeous, curly fur on her underbelly, and I'd want that to grow in the same. Not really something you can guarantee, but... Ok, anyway, back to my original question, what ever it was... Oh! If anyone has any helpful tips on keeping my kitty cool, let me know! Thanks a bunch!

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Yes, those kind of temperatures are too much for us northerners. We had those temperatures 2 weeks ago and it was miserable. I agree with not leaving a fan on in the house. How about a basement - do you have a basement the cat can access that is cooler?

As for clipping her coat - wouldn't a quick call to a groomer answer your questions on the cost and feasibility of doing that?

I have 2 pretty hairy cats myself, althought not quite Persian long. I do leave my ceiling fans on when I'm gone when it's really hot. It's upper 90's today with high humidity and I am blessed with wood floors and I think that helps. They just go and find the coolest spot and sprawl out and seem fine enough. I open the curtains/windows at night to let cool breezes in and close the curtains during the day...it is a bit dark but that makes it seem cooler. I'm for cotton sheets and I do put a cotton sheet on my bed and on the couch (when it's really hot) where the cats often lay. Pure cotton sheets are much cooler. I don't know about shaving them myself...I've heard it's ok and helps but I've also heard that the long hair is a natural insulator. I personally don't know, but I didn't shave my cats last year and they survived the hot days just fine (we don't have air) and I figure they will be fine this year too. I think they know what to do better than we do. They definititely know enough to just relax, unlike us humans who think we have to keeping working and playing no matter how hot it is.