Aircon in cars is only properly effective up to a point. In extremely high temperatures, cars can still get very hot even with the aircon running, especially if you get stuck in traffic and are moving slowly (or not at all). If we have to take our cats in the car in the summer, we always make sure we make journeys in the early morning or late evening.

OP - Thanks for the heads-up! Would giving them water beforehand help at all?

I transported Pixie (aged 11 weeks) around 100 miles home on Saturday, and I was concerned about the heat too! It was a warm day, so I brought a pouch of wet food and gave it to her in a bowl in her carrier. She was really hungry so ate half of it immediately. It's not so easy for them to spill food as to spill water, so this is what I would advise. Also put the aircon on and open the window!

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RIP Charcoal my shy girl 1987-2000, Patch the wanderer 1987-?, Tabby my darling fluffball 1988-2002 & Panda the rascal 1988-2008