Tired Kitty Cools Off With An Ice Cream Cone (Hilarious Ways Animals Beat The Heat)
As a pet owner, you'll do whatever it takes to keep your furry companion safe and comfortable. Whether that means filling up a kiddie pool, sharing a bit of your popsicle, or sneaking them a peek inside the fridge, it’s all about helping them beat the heat when temperatures rise.
Remember, if the heat feels intense to you, it’s even harder on your pet. Make sure they have a fan—or maybe even two—to stay cool and comfortable!
Boiling Blue Jay
This photo was captured during the scorching heat wave of July 2019 by Chris Gloninger from NBC10 Boston, who posted it on Twitter with the caption, "Injured? No. Sick? No. I love blue jays, but they are soooooo dramatic when it's above 80 degrees."
With Boston experiencing average temperatures of 105°F that week, can we really fault the bird for overreacting a bit? Honestly, none of us would want to be flapping around in that kind of heat either.
Queen Of The Subway
A Twitter user shared photos of a pampered pup riding the subway, captioning it, "saw the cutest thing on the train... during a heatwave in the subway this guy actually brought a little fan for his dog."
Despite the spelling, the true highlight is that adorable dog enjoying its own personal fan! Many other pet owners chimed in, posting videos and pictures of their dogs cooling off in the breeze. It's genuinely heartwarming to see these pups getting the love and care they deserve!
No Judgment Here
If it's good enough for the birds, why not for a cute, overheated raccoon? This little guy stumbled upon a birdbath and decided to make the most of the cool water.
Honestly, it’s not that surprising. The birdbath is just the right size for Rocky, and that bright green color makes it look like a fun kiddie pool. We can’t help but wonder if he shared it with any of the birds.
Chillin' In The Crisper Drawer
Reddit user tacticalkumquat posted this cute photo of their cat's classic way to beat the heat. "Reddit, meet Oliver. Staying cool during the summer heat."
Another commenter mentioned that her cat also loves chilling in the fridge, even though her apartment stays in the low 60s. Tacticalkumquat replied, "I usually keep it around 65-68. Guess it isn’t good enough haha." Everyone’s got their own personal thermostat, after all!
You Don't See This Every Day
Summers in Brazil can get seriously hot—being right on the equator does that. So when the temperatures climb, zookeepers have to step up to help their animals beat the heat.
At the city zoo in Rio de Janeiro, a lion named Simba is chilling out with a special popsicle. But forget fruity flavors like strawberry or watermelon—this popsicle is made of frozen meat! For Simba, it's the ultimate cool-down treat on a scorching day.
Just Dunk It
When you're really feeling overheated, sometimes you just need to cool off fast. This indoor kitty couldn't find a birdbath or other 'kiddie pool' to crawl into, so she made do with what she did have access to. It just happened to be a sink with the faucet running.
Aaah, that look of sheer relief is contagious. She can't even keep her little pink tongue inside her mouth, she’s just letting it all hang out in the cold water.
Taking A Dip
Beagle brothers Stan & Ollie will warm your heart so much, you might forget the heatwave outside. Their owner posted this adorable "fun in the sun" photo on Twitter, and it quickly became a favorite—Twitter couldn't get enough.
When it’s 100+ degrees out, every pup deserves their own pool to stay cool—or at least one to share with their furry sibling!
Make Room
This is the energy we all need. Simply standing in front of the fridge didn't cut it for this pup—he decided climbing inside was the ultimate move, and we’re here for it.
Looks like his owners even rearranged the fridge to fit their overheated dog, and honestly, that’s exactly the kind of thing any devoted dog parent would do. Sure, the food might get a little spoiled, but that happy puppy smile makes it all worth it!
Can't Beat The Beach
Meet Nathan, a cat who cools off just like many of us—by taking a dip in the ocean! While most cats shy away from water, Nathan and his sister Winnie absolutely adore it.
Their proud humans even created a social media account to share fun snapshots of the duo exploring the coastline. Nathan was originally found abandoned in a box by the highway, and Winnie was later discovered near a beach Nathan often visits. Truly, these two are a perfect pair!
Larry's Just Lounging Around
Larry the Basset is another Twitter-famous dog dealing with the heat in the only way he knows—by doing absolutely nothing. To be honest, he's not really coping much at all.
Living in South Dakota, where July temperatures soared so high that roads actually buckled, Larry has spent his days melting into the floor and staying inside. And honestly, can you blame him? If it were 104°F outside, you’d likely be doing the exact same thing (let’s be real, you probably already have).
Floatin' Away
At first glance, this photo might raise a few eyebrows—it looks like someone left their dog or cat in the tub! But don't worry, the chill bath guest is actually a stuffed teddy bear named Edward. That said, this idea could totally work for your real-life furry companion—if they’re a fan of water, that is.
Even giving your pet’s paws a dip in cool water can help them beat the heat. Of course, the trade-off might be a trail of soggy paw prints throughout your home—but hey, small price to pay for comfort! Would you like this reworded in a slightly more humorous tone?
Keepin' It Swamp-Free
We've all been there. Sometimes on a really hot day, certain parts of your body seem to get heated up more than others. This cat named Zoe is experiencing such a day.
Zoe's Mom Erin shared this to Twitter and said that Zoe just wanted to air out her fanny. Looks like she's doing a great job angling up to the fan to keep her rear end nice and cool. There's no swamp butt on this kitty.
The Cooling Effects Of Calcium
This clever kitty has definitely figured out how to stay cool in style! He's kicked back in a tub of cold milk, turning bath time into spa time. Maybe he’s read somewhere that milk baths are great for exfoliation and silky-smooth fur.
Plus, he’s got hydration covered—just dip your head and sip! It's a luxurious two-for-one deal: skincare and a snack. Now that’s what we call feline finesse.
Everything's Better With Friends
What's more refreshing than lounging in a tub of cool water on a scorching summer day? Sharing the fun with friends, of course! This sweet pup made sure his ducky crew got in on the action, inviting them all in for a splash.
He’s not just beating the heat—he might be sneaking a sip or two while he’s at it. After all, staying hydrated is key!
Belle Of The Ball
"When there's a heatwave, our 14-year-old dog, Queen Belle, gets every fan in the house, as she should."
Queen Belle deserves everything she’s ever dreamed of, and as her owner, it’s your duty to give her whatever she wants. Whether that’s three fans, an endless supply of milk bones, or ice cubes to snack on to stay cool, Queen Belle gets exactly what Queen Belle wants!
Bodega Cats Gave Up
During the global heatwave this past July, one Twitter user shared a warning to fellow New York City residents: "Even bodega cats are wiped out today. Be careful in this heat, NY'ers."
You know it's really hot when the local bodega cat is collapsed on top of the Doritos, Hot Cheetos, and Orange Crush. Poor kitty couldn’t even make it to the drinks cooler!
The Tongue Scale
"According to the tongue scale, it's this hot in the #garden. #canicule #HEATWAVE2019," Molly tweeted along with a photo of her overheated dog.
Suns out, tongues out, right? The more tongue you can see, the hotter it is outside—that's the rule. At least this dog found a shady spot to relax in, so they can enjoy a little heat without totally melting like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Going For A Swim
Sometimes the most effective way to cool yourself off is to just dunk your entire body into the seas of Greece, or whichever body of water is closest to you. Sea, lake, algae-filled pond, bathtub or puddle, all that matters is cooling off.
This is exactly what Orfeas the golden doodle decided to do! We promise there's a dog hidden under all those wet curls, he's just blocking his eyes from the sun for a little bit. It's making finding the ball a little difficult though...
Helpful Advice
Twitter user @jbillinson shared this photo of their dog, writing, "made it five feet out the door before someone decided they didn't want to be outside in this heat."
The user also wanted to take the opportunity to share some advice for dog owners who are trying to keep their pups safe during the record-breaking temperatures. "Take your dogs out on the grass when they have to go out today! If the asphalt is too hot to touch with the back of your hand for more than a few seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog on it!"
Hit The Deck
We've all been there before right? "This dog is how we all feel," wrote one Twitter user who shared this photo of a New York City dog waiting for the subway. Imagine how hot it must've been if it's hot enough underground for this poor puppy to need to lie down flat.
In fact, you don't even need to imagine how hot it was, it was over 100 degrees in NYC. It was so hot events were canceled because no one wanted to be outside.
Snack Break
This is Ernie. Ernie runs his own travel blog and considers himself head of 'Barketing' for his blog, ernies-adventures. Ernie is a successful business-pup but even he needed a little assistance with cooling down during this heatwave.
Ernie's owner tweeted out this photo of Ernie enjoying a popsicle, writing "Cooling down by being a good boy and helping Dad with his ice lolly." Sometimes you need to set your business aside and enjoy some frozen fruit juice!
Soak Up The Sun
Dogs and cats aren't the only animals that can get overheated, polar bears can too! The Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Branton, England, tweeted out this photo back in July with the caption "Is there a word for 'feeling jealous of a Polar Bear'? #heatwave"
Sometimes all you can do is sit back, let your feet float and soak up some sun. Where's an iceberg or a snowstorm when you need one, right?
Ice Ice Baby
A number of pet parents online recommended freezing some of your pet's treats for later when they need a tasty treat. "Enjoying a frozen lick-e-lix with the curtains closed to keep the room cool."
The problem with this is you have to actually remember to freeze their treats ahead of time, but if you're in a hurry you can also just use ice! Every dog loves chomping down on a piece of frozen water.
Melting Cat
It's so hot that animals are out here not just melting into furniture, but becoming one with the furniture.
In this case, Mac The Ginger Cat is suffering through this heatwave by assuming a permanent position on top of this couch. How long do you think Mac has been lying there? Hours? Days? Weeks? Mac has merged with the couch and it doesn't look like he'll be moving anytime soon.
Stoop-Sitter
"Area lunatic insists on stoop-sitting during heat wave" wrote this dog's mom when she shared her picture on Twitter.
We're not sure what makes her the area lunatic (we're too afraid to ask) but this stoop sitter has certainly figured out the best way to survive in this heat: don't walk. Someone tries to make you do anything during the heat, even just going for a walk, say no. It's too hot to function.
Opposites Attract
Dogs and cats aren't the only ones who are taking precautions against the heatwave! Bleakholt animal sanctuary farm and small animal section in North West, England, tweeted out photos of two of their animals, Harold and Gary, who are taking different approaches.
Harold the pig decided the best way to cool down would be to find some shade and some mud to bury himself in, whereas Gary the goat felt like basking in the sun would be the best solution. What do you think?
Flat Lay Squirrel
You've heard of flying squirrels, what about flay-lay squirrels? North Americans weren't the only ones suffering through 90+ degree temperatures. It was just as hot across the pond during the heatwave.
Just a friendly reminder, in case you've forgotten, squirrels don't typically lie like this. "Even the squirrels are finding it difficult in this heat" wrote the user who shared this photo on Twitter, which clearly shows how hot it got in the U.K. during the heatwave.
Customer Service At Its Finest
During the European leg of the heatwave tour of July 2019, one bar in Amsterdam decided they'd use animals of the inflatable variety to help tourists and locals cool down.
"Good news: #heatwave under control here in Amsterdam!" tweeted out the bar, which was welcoming guests to dip their feet into the water while enjoying a drink along the canals. Do you think they changed the water out after every customer?
It's The Simple Things
Sometimes, it really is the little things in life that can bring the most satisfaction. For this chilled-out pup, the best thing in the world right now is just lying there on the bed with a fan blowing right over him.
You can almost feel how relaxed he is just from looking at the picture. He truly has this zen thing figured out for himself. All he needs is for someone to turn his fan on and he's set.
That's A Mouthful
Elephants have a few different ways to cool off. For one thing, they can flap their giant ears around. This actually releases heat as it fans them off at the same time.
Of course, elephants also enjoy chilling down in the water just like all the other animals we've seen here. This sweetheart named Donna lives at the Whipsnade Zoo in England. She just finished playing a game of soccer with her keepers and is cooling off with a giant spray of water!
I Scream, You Scream
You scream, we scream, we all scream for ice cream! Even big cats like this one in Berlin, Germany, that is being offered a special ice cream cone to keep cool during a heat wave.
Unlike the lion's popsicle made of frozen meat that we saw earlier, this one appears to be made of more... traditional ingredients, including a sugar cone. We hope this kitty enjoyed her cool summertime treat!
Taking It To The Extreme
This picture went viral a few years ago and it's easy to see why. Lots of dogs enjoy a romp in the sprinkler every now and then, especially on a hot day. But this daring dog took his love of sprinklers to the extreme and lucky for us, someone caught it on film.
This looks like a fire-hydrant strength blast. They had better get that sprinkler checked out before it takes someone out as they walk by.
