Can I leave my cat in a house with no air conditioning during a heat wave?

Question

I do not have air conditioning, and we are in day 8 of a heat wave with the heat index in the upper nineties. My cat has been fine, just a little sluggish but not showing any signs of stress. This weekend I am leaving for two days and the heat index is supposed to get as high as 110 on Saturday. I'm guessing it will get near 100 in the house.

My only two options are to leave him here or bring him on a very long car ride where he will have to stay in a house with two hyper dogs and another territorial cat. Which would be less stressful for him? Please no panicked, exaggerated answers about cats needing air conditioning to survive. Thanks.

Answer 1

It will be okay, no need to worry. My house has no air conditioning either, and sometimes its hotter in here than outside. We have 2 cats, but they don't seem to mind! They would be far more stressed by territorial cats and hyper dogs. Hope I helped! :)

Answer 2

I would make sure someone checks on the cat at least a couple times over the weekend. Water evaporates fast in the heat and he'll probably be drinking more because its hot so someone should make sure to refill his water with cold water and ice cubes a few times. You could open the windows and leave a fan running too. If you know of anyone in your city with air conditioning that could cat sit him over the weekend that may be a good idea too. Better safe than sorry.



Travelling would definitely be too stressful, but leaving him unattended isn't the greatest option either. You could look into a pet hotel, but those are pretty spendy. Best bet would be to ask a neighbor to check up on him and refill water etc.



Best of luck!

Answer 3

He should be fine as long as he has plenty of fresh water. I have 4 cats and we are in the middle of a heat wave here too and I only air condition some of the rooms in my house but Ill be darned if all my cats dont stay in the hottest ones they can find. Here's what I do more for my own peace of mind than their needs during the day if you go by the way they act that is ..... I have staple gunned velcro to the inner and outer top of the doorframe to my bedroom (you never see it as who is tall enough to see up there ??) and purchased 2 thermal curtains and put velcro on the tops of them and pressed them on so the doorway has 2 thermal curtains on it; then I leave my A/C on 80 which is quite fine for them and leave their water in there too. This guarentees them a place to go where it wont be hellishly hot and humid and it wont be so hard on your electric bill not to mention you will have a somewhat cool room to come home to. Trust me 80 may seem hot but if its dry and you keep the shades drawn so the sun doesnt get in you will be surprised how comfortable it is compared to 110 ! GOOD LUCK !!

Answer 4

I must admit that it can get quite hot over the pond in the UK, but never quite as hot or as often than in parts of the US. I am lucky, I guess in living in a cooler clime, and living in a stone quarryman's cottage with quarryman's tiles and slate flooring in half the house, and an a/c unit is a great help. But, if I'm ever ina position where the temp gets to those highs, I will certainly keep all your very pertinent advice to hand. This has been a very informative and sensible thread, thank you. PS Yes! I agree with shaving long hair cats when it gets to the stage of very hot times, they don't get the lion cut but I do clip the tummy of all the cats that need it in the Summer months!!

Answer 5

I think leaving your cat at home would be a much more sensible idea, just as long as you leave plenty of fresh water in a cool place for your cat to get-to, the usual food, and perhaps make-sure there are some cool and shadowed places for your cat to sit in the shade of your house :)

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Your cat should be okay for the weekend. Just make sure he/she has plenty of food and water. It might also be a good idea to leave a fan running close to their bed or favorite sleeping place.

Answer 8

He might be okay but better safe than sorry right? Would you rather bring him with you, or risk him dying. If you really don't want to bring him, ask a friend to watch the house for you. Make sure he has plenty of water. But if I were you'd I'd just bring him along. He may enjoy the car ride!

Answer 9

I really don't think you should leave your cat in your house. The combination of the heat wave and no a/c is going to make it unbearably hot. Your cat will get overheated and could have a heat stroke. You should definitely take your pet with you.

Answer 10

No Ac In House

Answer 11

Can you open some windows and turn on a fan? Also leave lots of water (but you knew that one)

Answer 12

Not a good idea. Take your cat along. If you leave it locked in a stuffy hot house you may come home to a dead cat

Answer 13

Just buy a fan & have the fan going while you are gone & don't forget fresh water.