This is my first summer with Niko (or any cat, for that matter) and I have a few questions about how cats handle heat and humidity. We have AC units in our bedrooms, but not in the rest of the house. At first, I thought we'd be able to just leave our doors open a little bit so he could come and go as he pleases, but he hates being in a room where the door isn't wide open.. so he just doesn't even come in. Normally, it's hard to keep him /out/ of my room.
I've been able to lure him in periodically, but he doesn't stay for very long. Is it safe for him to be out in the house without AC for long periods of time? I frequently refresh his water and add ice to it in between changings, but is there more I can do to keep him cool? A dog owner friend of mine suggested wetting/dampening him down (yeah right), but that's just not gonna fly. Some cats might not mind that, but he'd flip out. Perhaps some ice packs with a towel on top?
I've been able to lure him in periodically, but he doesn't stay for very long. Is it safe for him to be out in the house without AC for long periods of time? I frequently refresh his water and add ice to it in between changings, but is there more I can do to keep him cool? A dog owner friend of mine suggested wetting/dampening him down (yeah right), but that's just not gonna fly. Some cats might not mind that, but he'd flip out. Perhaps some ice packs with a towel on top?