Is it safe to drive my cat in a car without AC on a hot day?

If you are able to sit in your apartment without distress, then your kitties if they are in good health should be able to tolerate it, but I would provide plenty of cool water and fans to help cool them, and if they show signs of distress such as excessive panting or lethargy/decreased appetite consider bringing them to a friend's house or boarding them somewhere with air conditioning. If they have any underlying health problems it may be more dangerous for them/possible for them to become overheated.

Hi, cats can do well in a variety of temperatures. The do not necessarily need to have air conditioning but if the temperature gets above 85 degrees, put a fan on them and make sure they have access to lots of cool water. Have the person checking on them look for lethargy, panting or not wanting to eat. If they are acting fine, they should be fine. If you are concerned about them getting out, make sure the screens are secure. Cats generally won't climb through window screens unless they are being chased. Good luck!

I'm glad you are concerned. When cats are relaxed they tolerate the heat well. Using a small quiet fan to circulate the air and a cooling mat would be helpful. There are many brands of cooling mats, make sure you get one recommended for cats. Don't be surprised is she won't use it though! After all cats have a mind of their own. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Wendy.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Keeping fans on to circulate the air and providing plenty of water are great ways to help keep Scout and Benny as cool as possible. I recommend opening any windows as well so that any breezes can help circulate air too. If you do these things, they should be safe to keep in the house in temperatures up to about 90 degrees. I would not play with them or exercise them in this heat as this can cause them to overheat. As a reminder, pets cannot sweat so they have to cool off by panting. If you think either of them are too hot, you can lay cool/wet towels over them and place them in front of a fan to try to actively cool them off. I would monitor them closely for excessive panting, especially if they are laying down and panting for prolonged periods. You can also examine their gum color and if it appears bright red, this can be a sign of heat exhaustion. If you see any of these signs, I would recommend having them evaluated by a veterinarian who can address their potential heat stroke. I hope this is helpful!

Hello! That is very hot! You are right to be concerned for heat stroke. Make sure that he will have access to lots of fresh water- leaving a few bowls out with ice cubes in the morning may be a good idea. You can also make a cheap "air conditioner" with a fan and an ice pack that may help keep the area cool. Dark curtains may also help keep the apartment cooler throughout the day. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It can occur in a very short period of time, and the time shortens exponentially as the temperature gets higher. It can occur in as little as a few minutes, even with the windows open. If you suspect that this has occurred in your cat, I would suggest getting Tippy evaluated by a veterinarian immediately because serious organ damage can occur in heat stroke cases. Your veterinarian will need to stabilize Tippy, and then may recommend diagnostic testing to evaluate how her body systems are working (such as blood work). She may require hospitalization depending on the severity as well. We do not recommend leaving any animal unattended in a car in warm weather, even if it doesn't seem "that hot" outside, or even if it is just for a few minutes.

Actually, kittens want it warm, very warm. So I would not put them in a cooler room unless they start panting. As long as they have fresh water available. Most cats in temperate climates are feeling cold, which is why they try to spend time in the sun and near fire places. They will be ok in your air conditioned room, but they will seek your body heat, as they might feel cold.