https://www.reddit.com/r/melbourne/comments/1iglxmx/pets_and_ac_during_heatwave/
created by catterssmall on 03/02/2025 at 10:14 UTC
23 upvotes, 35 top-level comments (showing 25)
Should I leave the AC on tomorrow for my shorthair cat?
It was 30 degrees in my apartment when I got home at 5:30 (all blinds closed, AC not on, top floor of a 70s double brick block)
I’ll be gone tomorrow until 9-10pm (Jack Whitehall!!!)
TIA for your advice
Comment by Salt_Stage_8365 at 03/02/2025 at 11:39 UTC
58 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I have a ragdoll. I have aircon pumping all day (split systems) and the butthole just sleeps in the hot bathroom in the sink.
Cats do a lot better than we think they do in hot weather inside. Just have a few more bowls of water out and even dilute their wet food with bone broth or a little more water.
Comment by Dapper_Wedding2794 at 03/02/2025 at 10:36 UTC
58 upvotes, 0 direct replies
At 26.5 degrees inside, my (long hair) cat just goes under the bed and sleeps all day. Fresh water is important, you can also wet some tea towels and leave them on the floor. They do eventually dry but stay damp for some time. I would say, though, that if you’re going to worry about your cat while you’re out and trying to have a good time - hence affecting your experience - then crank the AC.
Comment by thetan_free at 03/02/2025 at 12:12 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Nah, they'll be fine - if they're Asian shorthairs.
My Burmese LOVE anything over 27. They sprawl out and enjoy sleeping that way, instead of curled up on each other.
It makes me feel sorry for them during the rest of the year.
Comment by HurstbridgeLineFTW at 03/02/2025 at 10:31 UTC
23 upvotes, 3 direct replies
My house stays cool downstairs and gets warm upstairs. My cat loves to hang out upstairs. Weirdo.
As long as they have access to plenty of water, you may not need the AC.
Comment by Katrianadusk at 03/02/2025 at 10:41 UTC
13 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Cats ideal/max temperature is 25-30 degrees, since they have a higher blood temp than us, they can tolerate warmer temps than we expect. Hence why you find them hanging out in the sun or in a hot part of the house whilst we are dying. Cats with medical conditions or older cats can be more prone to heat stroke though.
All cats still need a cooler area to retreat to..bathroom, tiled floor, pet cooling mat etc. Plenty of fresh water. Mine are seniors (14) and I leave fans on for them + cooling pads. Yesterday and today my girl hung out in the air con lounge with me ..my boy was in a hot part of the house. They are all different.
If you are concerned and don't have a pet cam to check on kitty, leave the air con on around 25 and they should be fine.
Comment by grayestbeard at 03/02/2025 at 10:52 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Another thing you can do is get those ice pack things that go in the freezer. Freeze them, then take them out in the morning, cover them in a thin towel and put them in places your cat likes to lay and it will help to keep your cat cool.
Kmart also sells cooling mats for pets.
Comment by anunforgivingfantasy at 03/02/2025 at 11:27 UTC
6 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Use the water drip setting and it’ll keep the moisture out of the air and the house relatively cool, we run ours constantly and our bill barely moves, today the house didn’t need the aircon setting until 6pm
Comment by er34-gtv at 03/02/2025 at 12:30 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My short haired dumbo likes to go to wherever it is hot. Loves hanging out upstairs where it gets to 31 indoors when its 23 down stairs.
Comment by notnexus at 03/02/2025 at 12:43 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m away from home for a week. I have Wi-Fi access to my cooling. I’m constantly checking temperature inside the house and outside the house. I’ve kept the cooling on low for the last 48 hours. Sometime turning it up to medium/high in the mid arvo when it gets really hot. It will stay on tonight too.
Without the cooling on it will easily get up to 30°+ with this multi day heatwave.
I think that’s too high for any person or animal. I’m trying to keep the inside temp at 25 or less.
Comment by grayestbeard at 03/02/2025 at 10:49 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yes!!
Comment by Beneficial_Fly7496 at 03/02/2025 at 12:08 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We don’t have aircon but I’ve been keeping the blinds down low, lots of fresh water, a small fan running at times, but my senior cat (13) knows the best places to go, he plonks himself on the hard floorboards or even inside the bath instead of his comfy mat or bed. He’s been doing pretty well so far this week. He’s still playful and happy. I think as long as they’re well hydrated, have some airflow and shadier places to go, they generally do ok.
Comment by mcsaki at 03/02/2025 at 12:57 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I adopted an exotic shorthair. With her squishy little face and double layered coat, I couldn’t let her suffer the heat. I used to leave the aircon on for her. It would have been cruel not to.
I also did the frozen water bottles/ice packs over a towel trick, I bought cooling mats, but turns out she found the coolest spots in the house on her own. I also made sure she had a running water fountain that kept her very happy.
If you’re around, rubbing their ears and paws with cool water helps them - not enough that it’s dripping obviously, but enough so that they feel cooler. It might take a moment for them to get used to it, but it will help them <3
And if you’re super worried, remember your vet might have air conditioned cat boarding facilities! For heatwaves, this was a huge help for my little girl - she missed me, but whilst I was sweltering, she was at the ideal temperature with a belly full of food and getting loved on by all the vet techs. It wasn’t a cheap option (about $45 a night) but it was worth the extra money to keep her in comfort.
Comment by cassicats at 03/02/2025 at 15:07 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I used to live in Brisbane in an old house, when it was above 33 with high humidity I would put the aircon on eco at 24 degrees for the cats when I left. The house got a lot of sun so would heat up a lot during the day. If you feel like the house will be too hot during the day I would stay safe and put the aircon on. My cats wouldn’t have been able to handle the heat if I didn’t. If you notice your kitty panting at all or being considerably less active when it’s hot inside, it’s too hot for them.
Personally, I would put the aircon on.
Comment by Guidsbloke at 03/02/2025 at 12:09 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My rule of thumb is if it’s hot enough to where I would have it on for myself - my animal gets the same treatment. It’s a living thing and basically is wearing the equivalent to a full tracksuit.
He/she should be comfortable too :)
Comment by SaltyAFscrappy at 03/02/2025 at 10:30 UTC
15 upvotes, 3 direct replies
I think you should definitely crack a window for airflow and have a fan on at least. Having water available and a quiet dark spot they can lie down is good.
But yes you can leave aircon on for pets. Just put it on a low fan setting and set it to like 22 so its cool for them but not too bad on the electric bill.
Comment by Saa213 at 03/02/2025 at 11:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
YES.
Comment by legsjohnson at 03/02/2025 at 12:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
1. yes, 2. we're going to Jack too! so excited.
Comment by and_now_we_dance at 03/02/2025 at 13:21 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I did today and will do for the rest of the week probably. My poor babies.
Comment by unicornnom at 03/02/2025 at 13:40 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's currently 24 but feels like 27° in the city. I had my aircon on all day cos i don't do well in heat. But my weirdo has been going outside to sleep on the warm balcony(enclosed) with the heat from the unit. Even does this in the day time too. 🤷 He's a (loose) short hair, maybe medium cos his brother is furry!
Think if you leave a fan on for circulation, your cat will be good. And enjoy Jack Whitehall!
Comment by g3cko09 at 03/02/2025 at 15:32 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My westie sit in front of the heat exhaust from our portable air con, on the blacony outside in the heat, smiling at me through the glass door.
Comment by Saturday72 at 03/02/2025 at 11:25 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I think they'd appreciate it
Comment by AdIll5857 at 03/02/2025 at 12:50 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Set it to 25°C
30 is def too hot
Comment by jadelink88 at 03/02/2025 at 14:43 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As long as they have water they should be fine. Cats have warmer internal temps than humans, and tend to like reasonably warm weather. Some get sleepy in it, but they also like that (watch how they love a sun nap).
Comment by XaveTheGod at 03/02/2025 at 11:09 UTC
3 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I leave AC on and keep the house at 20 for my two dogs and cat 🐈⬛
They feel the heat just as much as we do, if not more.
Comment by Tarchey at 03/02/2025 at 11:55 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Set the timer from midday-early afternoon and enjoy the show without worrying about the pets wellbeing.
It will cost you an extra 10 bucks on top of your ticket.