We Kid You Not Childfree Forums

Just a quick heads up to remind people that if they live in a spot that's currently in the midst of a heatwave (like me) and have a pet that goes outside (like me)... MAKE SURE they have lots of water and shade!!

I feel like SUCH a colossal evil asshole. I let Eli out at about noon for an hour. I fell asleep. Today is one of the hottest days of the year, and it was high noon. At about 1, I heard him meowing and I looked out the window and he was coming towards the house through the vegetable garden. When I got outside, he was hiding under the wheelbarrow in the small spot of shade, panting like CRAZY. I actually thought he was dying... it was probably something like 10 pants per second and his mouth was wide open and his tongue hanging out. His chest was moving so fast in and out, I thought he was convulsing. He laid in front of the room with the air conditioning and just laid there flat, panting for about ten minutes before it finally calmed a bit. I had put a bowl of water and then he started to drink it.

Cats DO NOT pant. It is a sign of distress.

I just feel so awful that I didn't have water out there for him. He's 15 and VERY streetwise, so I often forget that he's 15 and old and not his old self all the time.

This happened several hours ago and he's fine now, eating, bathing and being sweet, but it was VERY touch and go there and I really thought something horrible was going to happen.

I know most people here don't let their cats out, and I also know that everyone here is an EXTREMELY responsible pet owner... but it can happen so quickly, especially with an older pet or one prone to respiratory problems (like Eli). I am going to make sure there is water out there from now on!!!!

Jo, you are right about the speed. We accidentally did this to our first dog a very long time ago. Had to make a little coldwater bath for him in the well of the rental car. He recovered just fine. But he was a puppy, we were coming from England, where it's cool, and didn't give any thought to letting him stand on the blacktop of a car park in Virginia in July. He just fell right over! We felt terrible! But he lived to be 17 1/2 so no lasting effects, apparently. Best wishes to Eli for a complete recovery.

I'm so glad you were able to rescue your cat in time! But it's a good and timely warning.

We lived in an apartment that had no AC. We were on the top floor. It was sooo hot in there.

Jessie used to pant all the time when it got super hot. We made sure her water bowl was full with cold water at all times and we put her in the bathtub (without water, of course). The cold porcelain helped to cool her down.

It can be tough on pets. We all know you're a responsible pet owner Jo. This was an unfortunate accident. We're all just grateful that Eli is OK!

OMG Poor Eli, I am so glad you got to him in time and that he is OK now.

Accidenets can happen. That is why they are called accidents.
You did not do this on purpose, so try not to beat yourself up
(emotionally) about it. We all know how much you love your Eli.
And TG you got to him in time.
So, yes a timely reminder for us all, thanks