Power Cuts and Pets: Heat-Wave Survival

Risk profile\n\nBrachycephalics, seniors, overweight pets, those with heart/respiratory disease are at highest risk during a 2+ hour outage in 38°C heat.\n\n## What to keep ready\n\n- Battery/inverter fans — minimum two\n- Power bank for fans — test monthly\n- Cooling mats and frozen water bottles — placed against belly/groin (highest blood flow)\n- Spray bottle with room-temperature water — mist coat regularly\n- Earthen pot of water — stays cool without power\n\n## During an outage\n\nMove pet to the coolest room in the house (usually north-facing, ground floor, on tile not carpet). Damp towel under armpits and groin. Offer fresh water frequently.\n\n## Red flags\n\nHeavy panting that does not slow with cooling, drooling, glazed eyes, weakness → emergency. Drive to vet with AC on full.\n\n## Long term\n\nIf load-shedding is regular, an inverter sized to run a fan for 4–6 hours is a one-time pet investment that pays back every summer.