gatos e o calor - cat cool down ideas

Pois é, esta ai o calor…  este calor que torna as casas em autenticos fornos e me pergunto novamente, porque que nao existem persianas neste país? Por isso, ha que tomar medidas extras para as meninas – ficam aqui algumas dicas.



The heat is here!! So it's important to keep your cat cool and healthy this summer to avoid dehydration, sun stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips:

Indoor Cats:

1. Ice - drop three or four cubes into kitty’s water bowl before you leave the house - also put small plastic containers filled with water in the freezer overnight. During the day, place these containers (now filled with blocks of ice) around your cat’s favorite sleeping spot
2. Fan – give your cat a fan! With the timer option you can set it to start a few times during the day
3. Haircut - If your cat has long fur, and only stays inside the house, consider getting her a lion cut to help ease her suffering on those hot summer days. If it is an outside cat do not use this option has cats are also dubject to sunburn and their hair helps to protect them
4. Damp towel - Take a damp towel and gentle stroke your cat with it from the top of his head and down to the back
5. Close the Curtains - Close the curtains or blinds in your south or west-facing windows. It will keep the house and kitty cooler
6. Adjust playtime – let the cat sleep all day and only play at the end of the day when it is cooler
7. Open window – in one room leave the window with a crack open so the air can circulate - netting frames over the back door and windows can be an option to avoid your cat escaping
8. Water – change the water daily – leave several bowls around the house
9. Doors open – leave some bedroom or bathroom doors open so they have several options to circulate around the house and choose the coolest place in the house – cats love to curl up in the bath or sink because porcelain stays cool
10. Brush your cat daily – get rid of the excess hair for the air to flow

Outdoor Cats:

1. Water accessible at all times in the shadow
2. Lots of shady places for your cat to lie down – place a cardboard box in a quiet and safe place for him to use it. Sheds can overheat, careful.
3. In the hottest days it might be an idea to keep him inside between 11am to 4pm
4. Cats with pale coats are particularly prone to sunburn. Ears are most commonly affected, which can be very painful so it's wise to apply sun block cream on their ears (avoid shaving)
5. Food - if your cat eats wet food, don't leave this down during hot weather as it will attract flies – change to dry food

Dont’s:

• Avoid cooling gel packs – the gel can be harmful and toxic if the cat put their claws on it
• Never leave your cat in your car – even for a small period of time