Giving Our Cats Relief from the Heat, with Dr. Kelly Cairns
It’s been unbearably hot for many weeks here in the Carolinas. Across the country, we are experiencing record heat waves, and even our homes might not be cooling down as much as we'd like. My second floor has been a steady 78 to 82 degrees!
Our indoor cats are affected, too, especially when it is both hot and humid.
I have noticed some obvious changes in how my indoor cats act:
- Drinking more water
- Eating less
- Sleeping more
- Lying on top of the A/C floor vents (No wonder I'm still hot!)
Although a cat's normal body temperature is higher than ours, averaging around 102 degrees, they still feel the effects of the heat. What are the risks to cats that become overheated, and what can we do to help them enjoy these balmy days more comfortably? My favorite veterinarian, Dr. Kelly Cairns, is here to help our felines stay cool and comfortable all summer long.
Listen to Episode #167 Now:
BIO:
Dr. Kelly Cairns is a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist, medical operations leader, educator, and consultant. She graduated from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, completed a small animal rotating internship at Cornell University in 2005, and finished her small animal internal medicine residency at The Ohio State University in 2008, at which time she achieved Diplomate status.
After a rewarding career as a practicing internist and multi-specialty/ER medical director, Dr. Cairns joined Thrive Pet Healthcare in 2018 as a senior medical operations leader, later serving five years as Vice President of Medical Excellence and Education for nearly 400 hospitals nationwide. In this role, she created and built the Medical Excellence & Education department from the ground up, developing its programs, resources, and organizational structure to elevate clinical quality, medical culture, and professional development across the national network.
Dr. Cairns is currently an adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she actively contributes to veterinary education and curriculum design. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and will begin her presidency in December 2025. Additionally, she is a dvm360 Editorial Board member and Wedgewood Advisory Board member, extending her impact across veterinary media, continuing education, and industry partnerships.
An international lecturer, Dr. Cairns speaks on veterinary education models, clinical internal medicine, leadership development, and profession-related well-being. She is passionate about supporting the growth, success, and happiness of veterinary professionals at every stage of their careers.
She lives in Naperville with her husband, three children, her cat, and a very sweet (but very poorly mannered) Labrapittie mix. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys distance running, personal fitness, and the science of brewing the perfect cup of tea..
Transcript: