Animals in the Heatwaves

HouseCat

HouseCat

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Hey everyone! With all these huge heatwaves happening in different places, I've been thinking about how the animals are coping. Today my little cat Nomi disappeared for roughly 10 hours to escape the heat, and it absolutely terrified me! (Thank goodness she finally came out! She's okay, and she acted completely unbothered when I scooped her up in total relief and covered her in kisses.) Everyone here gets cool water 2x a day, and I leave the downstairs A/C running so it stays at a cool 78F/ 25.5C (which honestly feels really cool lately) because cats frequently look for 80F/26.6C. I set out a bucket of water for the squirrels and topped up the bird bath again. I even spotted a squirrel lounging in the crook of a tree, resting its head on its paws. I have NEVER seen a squirrel just chilling like that, so it must really be hot!

What about your animals? Are they behaving strangely? Completely normal? What are you all doing to help them get through it? Stay cool!
 
Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
 
my 2 parrots have been getting a bit grumpy since they aren't getting as much time outdoors. They each have a fan of their own, but it's still too hot even so. I've been keeping them indoors with the AC on, and they do get a couple of hours outside in the morning, but by 10-11 it's already getting too hot. They pant like dogs, so the moment I notice them holding their wings out and the tiniest pant....back inside.
 
HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
 
SeaGypsy said:

my 2 parrots have been getting a bit grumpy since they aren't getting as much time outdoors. They each have a fan of their own, but it's still too hot even so. I've been keeping them indoors with the AC on, and they do get a couple of hours outside in the morning, but by 10-11 it's already getting too hot. They pant like dogs, so the moment I notice them holding their wings out and the tiniest pant....back inside.
Click to expand...
When it comes to birds, my knowledge is pretty limited - what stops them from taking off from the boat?? It's good that you're helping them stay cool, though it sucks that they can't get outside. Same here with my cats and the terrace - the door can't stay open for them because of the heat, and that's true even after dark at the moment, which is a real downer.
 
HouseCat said:

SeaGypsy said:

my 2 parrots have been getting a bit grumpy since they aren't getting as much time outdoors. They each have a fan of their own, but it's still too hot even so. I've been keeping them indoors with the AC on, and they do get a couple of hours outside in the morning, but by 10-11 it's already getting too hot. They pant like dogs, so the moment I notice them holding their wings out and the tiniest pant....back inside.
Click to expand...
When it comes to birds, my knowledge is pretty limited - what stops them from taking off from the boat?? It's good that you're helping them stay cool, though it sucks that they can't get outside. Same here with my cats and the terrace - the door can't stay open for them because of the heat, and that's true even after dark at the moment, which is a real downer.
Click to expand...
The cockpit is entirely screened in, so they have a complete enclosure. When we head out—errands, shopping, that sort of thing—they stay in outdoor cages. Indoors, half the living space belongs to them... the boat is theirs. We're only tolerated so we can hand out treats and handle whatever requires thumbs.
 
Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
 
HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
Oh, fireworks—I can't stand them, and neither can my pets. So on the 4th of July we just stay curled up in a pile, flinching at every bang. Plenty of police officers are my neighbors, and they realize there won't be any consequences for lighting them off, so the whole area turns into a nightmare of wHEEEeeee…booms! I'm quietly crossing my fingers that the high temperatures will keep people from doing it, but given that this is the big 250th anniversary, I'm not holding my breath. It'll be me and los kitties cowering in the bedroom.
 
HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
Oh, fireworks—I can't stand them, and neither can my pets. So on the 4th of July we just stay curled up in a pile, flinching at every bang. Plenty of police officers are my neighbors, and they realize there won't be any consequences for lighting them off, so the whole area turns into a nightmare of wHEEEeeee…booms! I'm quietly crossing my fingers that the high temperatures will keep people from doing it, but given that this is the big 250th anniversary, I'm not holding my breath. It'll be me and los kitties cowering in the bedroom.
Click to expand...

Yep, there are veterans in this area who live with PTSD. For them, fireworks are genuinely rough.

It's a strange contradiction: folks who act all patriotic about the country and those who served will turn around and be totally self-centered and aggressive when someone simply asks them to stop launching their tiny-firework loud noises—all for the sake of those very vets who have a hard time with explosion sounds.
 
HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
Oh, fireworks—I can't stand them, and neither can my pets. So on the 4th of July we just stay curled up in a pile, flinching at every bang. Plenty of police officers are my neighbors, and they realize there won't be any consequences for lighting them off, so the whole area turns into a nightmare of wHEEEeeee…booms! I'm quietly crossing my fingers that the high temperatures will keep people from doing it, but given that this is the big 250th anniversary, I'm not holding my breath. It'll be me and los kitties cowering in the bedroom.
Click to expand...
The point is, they could opt for fireworks that don't make noise.

My cats never go outside, and they're comfortable thanks to the a/c. Fresh water sits in their fountains. I also toss ice cubes into the reservoir. Inside, it's holding at 82. Compared with 111 — what my weather station showed yesterday — 82 is a 29* break.

As for my outdoor bunch — cats around the neighborhood that I TNR and rehome whenever they're friendly — they've been arriving to eat sooner in the morning and later at night.

The water dishes I keep outside get refilled with fresh water every few hours. Every kind of animal and insect uses them.

Stay cool!
 
HereKittyKitty said:

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
Oh, fireworks—I can't stand them, and neither can my pets. So on the 4th of July we just stay curled up in a pile, flinching at every bang. Plenty of police officers are my neighbors, and they realize there won't be any consequences for lighting them off, so the whole area turns into a nightmare of wHEEEeeee…booms! I'm quietly crossing my fingers that the high temperatures will keep people from doing it, but given that this is the big 250th anniversary, I'm not holding my breath. It'll be me and los kitties cowering in the bedroom.
Click to expand...
The point is, they could opt for fireworks that don't make noise.

My cats never go outside, and they're comfortable thanks to the a/c. Fresh water sits in their fountains. I also toss ice cubes into the reservoir. Inside, it's holding at 82. Compared with 111 — what my weather station showed yesterday — 82 is a 29* break.

As for my outdoor bunch — cats around the neighborhood that I TNR and rehome whenever they're friendly — they've been arriving to eat sooner in the morning and later at night.

The water dishes I keep outside get refilled with fresh water every few hours. Every kind of animal and insect uses them.

Stay cool!
Click to expand...
I had no idea that existed! Now I'm even more grumpy in advance!
 
HereKittyKitty said:

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
Oh, fireworks—I can't stand them, and neither can my pets. So on the 4th of July we just stay curled up in a pile, flinching at every bang. Plenty of police officers are my neighbors, and they realize there won't be any consequences for lighting them off, so the whole area turns into a nightmare of wHEEEeeee…booms! I'm quietly crossing my fingers that the high temperatures will keep people from doing it, but given that this is the big 250th anniversary, I'm not holding my breath. It'll be me and los kitties cowering in the bedroom.
Click to expand...
The point is, they could opt for fireworks that don't make noise.

My cats never go outside, and they're comfortable thanks to the a/c. Fresh water sits in their fountains. I also toss ice cubes into the reservoir. Inside, it's holding at 82. Compared with 111 — what my weather station showed yesterday — 82 is a 29* break.

As for my outdoor bunch — cats around the neighborhood that I TNR and rehome whenever they're friendly — they've been arriving to eat sooner in the morning and later at night.

The water dishes I keep outside get refilled with fresh water every few hours. Every kind of animal and insect uses them.

Stay cool!
Click to expand...
The username fits perfectly 😻
 
My bird bath is huge, and at the moment it's completely filled to the brim! the water is a real hit with them 🙂

Plus, I spotted a squirrel that had gotten inside my screened pool.. lol
 
Here is a question for everyone:

He won't go near the water and has tucked himself under a table on my deck..

should I just leave him alone?





29feb5f4ef04a6529dab9899eac611e8daa7fad78f3a0a4405741717c87d6aff.webp
 
Skidude said:

Here is a question for everyone:

He won't go near the water and has tucked himself under a table on my deck..

should I just leave him alone?





View attachment 10352
Click to expand...
For those located in north Texas, Roger’s Wildlife in Hutchins Texas is a place to reach out to. Birds that are hurt or not in good health are accepted there.
 
HereKittyKitty said:

Skidude said:

Here is a question for everyone:

He won't go near the water and has tucked himself under a table on my deck..

should I just leave him alone?





View attachment 10352
Click to expand...
A nearby wildlife rehabilitation specialist could be worth contacting.
Click to expand...
I looked around for the mother or the nest. Every year I watch them get pushed out, but this one looked too tiny.

With any luck, he returned on his own or suddenly perked up!

We have plenty of wildlife around because I live beside a Lake.
 
HoopFan said:

Thanks a lot, and I'm sorry too that you lost your BFF. It's harder to deal with when it happens suddenly.

HouseCat said:

HoopFan said:

Every day we set out fresh water for the birds and squirrels, and we've ended up with a litter of kittens plus their mom and dad. Our goal is to trap and neuter the whole bunch. Twice daily they get water and wet food that's been mixed with extra water. During the hottest parts of the day, we also drop ice cubes into their water bowl to bring the temperature down.

A week ago I lost my old man cat to a sudden, hidden illness, and since then I've been hoping to catch one of the kittens to keep.

I miss that boy every single damn day. He was part of my life for 2 decades. He stuck with me through everything.
Click to expand...
Losing them is devastating, and I'm truly sorry that happened to you. The bond we share with the creatures in our family is unlike anything else. My own best friend went suddenly as well - whether it comes fast or drags on, the pain is monstrous either way. Sending you a huge embrace.

The ice cube trick is brilliant! I gave it a go yesterday, and Phaedra, my girl, just stared at it completely baffled! 😂
Click to expand...

Those gatos get mixed up so easily, particularly when ice cubes are floating around. They bat at them, then pull their paws back fast and give you a look like "WTF DUDE?????"

Right now fireworks worry me more. I'm really scared they'll frighten the babies away.
Click to expand...
From June through September, it's pretty much World War 3 around my area almost every night. 🙄 With all that, I'm amazed any strays or wildlife still stick around here—but somehow they do.
 
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