Pet Travel Q & A

You don’t indicate how much time your cat spends outdoors versus indoors in LA, but regardless, you’re wise to be concerned about the dog days of summer in the desert. The first thing you want to make sure is that the house you’re renting has air conditioning that's working properly and that comes on intermittently to keep the temperature consistent. Try to keep your cat indoors as much as possible, but if it likes to wander outside, make sure the house you rent has plenty of shade, and put multiple bowls of fresh water around the outside of the house so your cat won’t have trouble finding them. If the house has a pool, don’t let the cat drink from it, because the chlorine can harm its eyes and make it sick. Also, if your cat is white or has short hair on their ears and nose, be particularly careful about letting it in the sun. Our furry friends get sunburned just like we do so apply sun block to those exposed areas. Lastly, be sure you recognize the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion in cats. They can be more sensitive to heat than humans or even other pets. Cats with short snouts are more susceptible. Be on the lookout for heavy panting and unusual breathing, particularly if it’s loud and quick. Other signs include salivating and difficulty walking. Notice any change in the color of your cat’s tongue or lips. It’s better to be overly prepared, so make sure you have the name, address, telephone number and directions to a recommended local veterinarian on hand, and bring your cat’s medical history with you.

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