Owner Checks on Cat During Heat Wave, Not Prepared for What She Sees
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
During a punishing heat wave, one cat owner went to check on her feline companion—only to find her sprawled out in the most dramatic, unbothered pose imaginable.
In a TikTok video that has garnered almost 250,000 views (@_trufflepurrs), the rag doll cat lies flat on her back, paws akimbo, the very picture of feline nonchalance. The video's caption reads: "looking round to see if my cat is OK in the [86 degrees Fahrenheit] 30 degree heat."
Newsweek spoke with veterinarian Suzanne Moyes about what owners should know when it comes to heat waves and cats.
She said: "Cats can really struggle during heat waves because they don't sweat like we do and can overheat quickly, especially if they're older, overweight or have long fur. They may show rapid breathing, drooling or lethargy. It's so important for cat owners to recognize these signs early."
Moyes, the deputy managing director at pet food company Burgess Pet Care in England, offered these essential tips to help cats stay cool and safe:
Provide fresh, cool water at all times.
Ensure easy access to shaded spots around the home.
Offer playtime and gentle brushing during the coolest parts of the day—dawn or dusk—to help remove excess undercoat and reduce overheating.
Watch for warning signs such as panting, unsteadiness or sudden hiding. If these appear, move the cat to a cool area and offer water immediately.
"If you are worried, call your vet," Moyes added. "These simple steps will help your feline friend stay safe and comfortable."
Stock image: A fat gray cat sits up against a door.
Stock image: A fat gray cat sits up against a door.
NATALIA MARNA/iStock/Getty Images Plus
TikTok Reacts
As of now, the July 13 video has more than 29,600 likes and almost 200 comments.
"My cat is the same, but when I try to do something to cool him down he acts like I'm trying to murder him," posted one user.
Another wrote, "This is so Garfield coded," and a third commented: "My long haired cat didn't know what was wrong with him."
A fourth shared: "I have [five] and they are not happy! I tried a suggestion of a damp towel for them to lay on and [three] of them loved it. Funnily enough my gray male also loves laying on his back so I have a fan on him and he hasn't moved."
Yet another viewer added: "My black cat insists on going into the hottest window in the flat and lying there all day. I do check on her and she drinks a lot of water, no problems yet."
Newsweek reached out to @_trufflepurrs for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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