France heat wave spurs home cooling tips for cats and door gaps

Veterinarian Marie Girard of Vétocéane in Vertou recommends keeping a single window slightly open for indoor cats during heat waves. The limited opening provides a safe perch for observation while limiting exposure to extreme heat, preventing heat‑stroke and reducing the risk of escape. Girard notes that recent heat spikes have doubled suspected feline heat‑stroke cases, and advises owners to combine the window opening with fresh water, shaded flooring, and a cat tree near the glass.

A separate guide highlights that a double‑locked entrance door does not stop hot air from entering a home. A narrow gap beneath the door can let a continuous stream of warm outside air flow in, accounting for up to 15 % of a dwelling’s thermal loss according to the French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management. During a heat wave, temperature differences can exceed 15 °C, making the draft a significant source of indoor heating and increasing reliance on air‑conditioning. Sealing the gap or adding a door sweep can reduce energy waste and improve comfort.