Animals in the Heatwaves

HouseCat

HouseCat

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May 31, 2026
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United-States
Hey friends! I know there have been some massive heatwaves all over, and I’m wondering how our animal friends are doing. My lil cat Nomi hid today for about 10 hours to get out of the heat and scared the bejeezus out of me! (She just showed herself thank god! She’s fine and was very nonchalant when I picked her up in extreme relief and smothered her with kisses.) Everyone’s getting cool water 2x a day and I keep the downstairs A/C on for them to make it a cool 78F/ 25.5C (which actually does feel very cool these days) since cats often seek 80F/26.6C. I put out a bucket of water for the squirrels and refilled he bird bath. I actually saw a squirrel chilling in the crook of a tree, head on its paws. I have NEVER seen a squirrel chilling out, so you know it must be hot!

How are your animals? Acting weird? Totally Fine? What are y’all doing to help them out? Stay cool!
 
We put fresh water out every day for the squirrels and birds, and have acquired a litter of kittens as well as the momma and daddy cat. We are working to get them all trapped and fixed. We put water and fresh wet food ( with added water) twice a day for them. We also add ice cubes to their water bowl, to help cool them down during the peak heat times.

After losing my old man cat a week ago (sudden hidden illness), I’ve been wanting to catch one of the kittens for myself.

Man I miss that boy ever effing day. Two decades of being in my life. He went through it all by my side.
 
my two parrots are getting a lil pissy about not getting as much outside time. Each of them have their own fan but even with that it's too hot. I been keeping them inside in the AC, they get a couple hours outside in the morning but by 10-11 is getting too hot, they pant like dogs so as soon as I see them hold their wings out and the slightest pant....back inside.
 
HoopFan said:
We put fresh water out every day for the squirrels and birds, and have acquired a litter of kittens as well as the momma and daddy cat. We are working to get them all trapped and fixed. We put water and fresh wet food ( with added water) twice a day for them. We also add ice cubes to their water bowl, to help cool them down during the peak heat times.

After losing my old man cat a week ago (sudden hidden illness), I’ve been wanting to catch one of the kittens for myself.

Man I miss that boy ever effing day. Two decades of being in my life. He went through it all by my side.
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I am so sorry for your loss. There’s no love like our animal fam can give. I too had my BFF pass quick - but quick or slow, it hurts like a beast. Big hugs to you.

I love the ice cube idea! I tried it yesterday and my girl Phaedra was very confused! 😂
 
SeaGypsy said:
my two parrots are getting a lil pissy about not getting as much outside time. Each of them have their own fan but even with that it's too hot. I been keeping them inside in the AC, they get a couple hours outside in the morning but by 10-11 is getting too hot, they pant like dogs so as soon as I see them hold their wings out and the slightest pant....back inside.
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I don’t know a lot about birds - how do you keep them from flying off the boat?? Glad you’re keeping them cool, but sorry they’re missing outdoor time. My cats are missing terrace time too, but it’s just too hot to keep the door open for them, even at night right now which is a bummer.
 
HouseCat said:
I don’t know a lot about birds - how do you keep them from flying off the boat?? Glad you’re keeping them cool, but sorry they’re missing outdoor time. My cats are missing terrace time too, but it’s just too hot to keep the door open for them, even at night right now which is a bummer.
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I have a full enclosure with screens in the cockpit. They have outside cages if we leave the boat for awhile (going to the store or whatever). Inside they own half the living area.....it's their boat. They just allow us in here to provide treats and do the things they can't do without thumbs.
 
Thank you so much and also sorry you lost your BFF. When it is sudden, it’s more difficult to process.
HouseCat said:
I am so sorry for your loss. There’s no love like our animal fam can give. I too had my BFF pass quick - but quick or slow, it hurts like a beast. Big hugs to you.
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It’s so easy to confuse the gatos, especially with floating ice cubes. They poke at them and then yank their paws up and look at you like “WTF DUDE?????”

I’m more concerned about fireworks right now. I’m so afraid that those are gonna scare off the babies.
 
HoopFan said:
I’m more concerned about fireworks right now. I’m so afraid that those are gonna scare off the babies.
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Ugh fireworks! I hate loud noises and so do they, so July 4th is just us huddled up together hiding and flinching. A lot of cops live in my neighborhood and they know they can get away with setting them off, so it’s just a hellscape of wHEEEeeee…booms! I’m secretly hoping the heat will deter people, but since it’s the big 250th anniversary, i doubt it. It’ll be me and los kitties cringing in the bedroom.
 
HouseCat said:
Ugh fireworks! I hate loud noises and so do they, so July 4th is just us huddled up together hiding and flinching. A lot of cops live in my neighborhood and they know they can get away with setting them off, so it’s just a hellscape of wHEEEeeee…booms! I’m secretly hoping the heat will deter people, but since it’s the big 250th anniversary, i doubt it. It’ll be me and los kitties cringing in the bedroom.
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Yeah we have some veterans around here who deal with PTSD. Fireworks really aren’t a good experience for them.

Ironic how people puffing their chests for country and military service members, will be completely selfish and belligerent at the ask of them not shooting off their lil-weiner big boom-booms, for the sake of those same vets who struggle with the sounds of explosions.
 
HouseCat said:
Ugh fireworks! I hate loud noises and so do they, so July 4th is just us huddled up together hiding and flinching. A lot of cops live in my neighborhood and they know they can get away with setting them off, so it’s just a hellscape of wHEEEeeee…booms! I’m secretly hoping the heat will deter people, but since it’s the big 250th anniversary, i doubt it. It’ll be me and los kitties cringing in the bedroom.
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Thing is, they could choose silent fireworks.

My cats are indoors only and doing fine with the a/c on. Their fountains have fresh water. I drop ice cubes in the reservoir too. It's topped off at 82 in here. 82 is a 29* respite from 111 (the reading on my weather station yesterday).

My outdoor crew - neighborhood cats I TNR & rehome when friendly - have been showing up earlier in the morning and later in the evening to eat.

My outside watering dishes having been refreshed every few hours with fresh water. They get all animals and insects.

Stay cool!
 
I have a large bird bath and it is so full right now! they are loving the water 🙂
I also saw a squirrel who had made his way into my screened pool.. lol
 
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