How to truly help your pets Ni when it's scorching hot. Here's what you can do.
The mercury keeps climbing above 86°F (30°C) and won't let up soon. The heat doesn't just bother us—it hurts our pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, and even fish are at risk. Here's how to help them cope.
Provide shade, water, and fresh air
Keep pets indoors in cool, shaded rooms. Close blinds or curtains before leaving for work. Ensure constant access to fresh water. If they refuse to drink, gently encourage them.
Airflow is key. Use air conditioning, fans, or open windows to circulate air, especially if your pet is confined to a room, carrier, or balcony. Avoid direct drafts, which can harm them.
Give cats peace and quiet
Cats handle heat better than dogs, but they can still overheat. Persian cats are especially vulnerable due to their thick coats and short snouts. Provide a cool, shaded resting spot indoors. If your cat seems overheated—panting heavily or acting lethargic—cool them gently with a damp towel or your wet hand on their belly, chin, armpits, paws, and outer ears.
Watch out for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and degus
Rabbits struggle with heat above 82°F (28°C) and can die suddenly. They lack sweat glands and cool themselves only through their nose and ears. Keep their cage out of direct sun, ensure ventilation, and cool them with ice cubes wrapped in a towel or a damp cloth over the cage. Place a cold water bottle inside for them to lean against. For small rodents like guinea pigs and hamsters, add a dish of damp sand to their cage.
Don't forget birds
Even pet birds from warm climates can overheat if raised in captivity. Signs include hot feet and beak, heavy breathing with an open beak, and drooping wings. Keep their cage in the shade and only take them outside early morning or evening. Provide fresh water for drinking and bathing, and mist them several times a day with a spray bottle. Offer room-temperature fruit and vegetables.
Heat threatens fish, too
Water temperature above 77°F (24°C) stresses most aquarium fish. Cool the tank by turning off the light, opening the lid, aiming a fan at the surface, or adding ice cubes. Replace two-thirds of the water with slightly cooler water, but do it gradually to avoid shock. If fish gasp at the surface, increase aeration or change some water.