Greencross Vets As temperatures rise and the days get longer, we all know, tis the season to get sun smart. Below are a few summer safety tips to help you prepare your pet to stay safe in the heat of summer.
Keep on top of grooming
Help prevent fur balls and groom your cat regularly as they start to shed their winter coat. Chat to your vet about whether clipping your cats’ fur is an option, especially if they have a long coat. Long coats can easily become matted or tangled, this can attract grass seeds and other unwanted passengers. Be mindful that some cats do not like having their coats clipped and may find it distressing, it’s best to ask your vet for individual advice. They may recommend trialing a tummy clip to see how they respond before doing an entire clip.
Keep cool, calm and comfortable
Make sure that your outdoor enclosure for your cat, or catio, has a shady spot for your feline friend to lounge in when the weather gets warm. If it’s a very hot day, keep your cat cool indoors. Cat’s can get sunburnt, just like us, especially if they have pale-coloured ears or a pink nose. As cats spend about 30% of their day grooming, they lose a fair bit of moisture via their saliva while doing this. Cats also as a species prefer running water, so water fountains are a good idea to make sure they get enough to drink during the warmer months. Make sure the water stays cool as well.
Parasite prevention
Even if your cat spends all their time indoors, or in a secure outdoor enclosure, there are a lot more flying and crawling insects around in the summer. Make sure your cat is protected against ticks, fleas, and heartworm (spread by mosquitoes) by using the appropriate preventative products on time.
Vaccinations
Whilst we’re off enjoying summer holidays, this may mean checking our cats into stay at a boarding facility whilst travelling. Catteries will request proof of vaccinations for all their boarders prior to accepting them into their facilities, so it’s a good idea to ensure your cat is up to date before you plan your trip. Usually a F3 vaccine is required (Feline Panleukopenia, Herpesvirus, & Calicivirus), but check with them first.
Watch for toxic plants
With the influx of guests, gifts and good cheer it is important to be mindful of the common summer household plants that can be toxic to your cat if ingested. Lilies, Hydrangeas and Ivy are among the summer plants to steer clear of altogether. Learn more about toxic plants here
