Keep outdoor and indoor cats cool in hot weather
Summer is the perfect time to take your cat outside. Just keep in mind that your cat will feel the heat first.
As the summer months progress, it becomes increasingly important to keep your cat cool as the temperature rises. Here are a few helpful hints that will ensure your cat's comfort and health.
Assemble a full bowl of clean, cold water for your cat. On a hot summer day, nothing beats a refreshing glass of ice-cold water. Your cat is in the same boat as you. Place a few ice cubes in your kitties' bowls on extremely humid and hot days to keep the water cool. To avoid bacteria and algae, make sure to change the water daily.
Ice hockey is a game that cats adore. Toss an ice cube toward your cat on a smooth floor. If he returns your serve, swap it back to him. Keeping the volley going until he loses interest is a foolproof way to keep your cat cool while having some fun.
Heatstroke can be caused by high humidity combined with high temperatures. On extremely humid days, use fans or air conditioning to keep your home cool. Providing an inexpensive water mister or sprinkler in the yard can provide relief from the heat for cats.
Give special-needs cats a little extra attention. Senior cats, very young kittens, and sick or debilitated animals are all more sensitive to hot weather, just like humans. Keep these cats cool at all times, and keep an eye on them for signs of heat illness. Avoiding rides in the sweltering car during the hottest part of the day by scheduling your veterinary appointments and outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the evening.
Never leave your cat in a car alone. Quick trips to the store always take longer than expected, and leaving the windows open won't help him stay cool and can be dangerous. Even with the windows slightly open on an 85-degree summer day, the inside car temperature can reach 120 degrees (F) in a matter of minutes.
Examine your screens for tears and repair them if necessary. Cats prefer the windowsill to keep cool, especially in the summer. A screen that is loose or improperly fastened may fall or rip further. Use safety screens on all open windows and double-check that they are properly installed.
Keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke in your cat. Heatstroke is a serious medical condition. If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke, take the following steps right away: Move your cat to a cool location as soon as possible, and contact your veterinarian.
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke:
1. Panting
2. Drooling
3. Red tongue and lips
4. Dullness
5. Weakness and collapsing
6. Convulsions
7. Vomiting
Keep in mind that summer is a time for all animals to have a good time. With just a few precautions, you and your cats will be able to survive the heat.
Cat Summer Safety - 12 Tips to keep your cat:
Are you aware of how to keep your cats safe during the summer months? The cat and other pet animals are also susceptible to any diseases that may emerge during the summer months. Here are some guidelines to follow, and you must do so to keep your cat safe, particularly your cat. According to Nancy Peterson, an issue specialist for The Humane Society of the United States' companion animal division (HSUS).
Summertime suggestions:
1. Spend less time outside - cats can only expel heat through panting and the pads of their feet. When compared to humans, some pets have a much harder time cooling down, and they can easily overheat. Heatstroke is more common in snub-nosed animals (bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, and so on) because they have a harder time panting.
2. Change your exercise routine - When it's hot outside, your cat won't be able to walk as far or as quickly. On extremely hot days, exercise should be done early in the morning or late in the evening. Keep in mind that asphalt can become extremely hot, causing your cat's paws to burn. Also, make sure they have plenty of water while you're out walking or whenever they're outside.
3. Avoid sunburn - If you leave your cat out in the sun for too long, they can get sunburned. Particularly vulnerable are cats with light-colored noses and fur. So, if you're going to be outside for a while, get your cat some natural, non-toxic sunscreen (on his nose, ears, and top of the head, especially).
4. Keep your cat safe from fleas and ticks - summer is the peak season for these parasites, but many flea and tick repellents contain harmful pesticides. Choose a natural flea and tick repellent that is both effective and SAFE for your cat, such as Flea 'n Tick B Gone.
5. Exercise caution near pools and water - Not all cats can swim or get out of a pool if they fall in. cats should not have unrestricted access to pool areas; they should only use them when accompanied by an adult. If you're going to a lake or other body of water with your cat, you might want to invest in a cat life preserver to keep him afloat.
6. Recognize the signs of heat exhaustion - Heavy panting, rapid pulse, vomiting, and lethargy are all warning signs of heat exhaustion. Bring your cat inside and apply cool, wet towels if you notice any of these symptoms. Please contact your veterinarian right away.
7. Keep an eye out for poisons - Lawn fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, and certain garden plants can all be harmful to pets, and some can even be fatal.
8. Keep your cat inside - While it may be tempting to let your cat outside during the summer, doing so increases their chances of being hit by a car, getting into a fight with another animal, or contracting the disease.
9. Never leave your cat in a parked car - Even if the windows are cracked, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to dangerous levels on even mildly warm days.
10. Do not allow your cat to ride in the back of a pickup truck - In some states, this is illegal because the cat could be thrown from the truck and injured or killed.
11. Don't let your cat stick his head out the car window - It may seem harmless, but debris or an accident could harm your cat. Keep your at in a crate in the car or secure him with a specially designed seatbelt harness for the cat.
12. Check for secure screens - As you open your windows to let in the fresh air, check for secure screens. Your cat could otherwise fall out of a window or become loose and run into the street.
conclusion:
We hope that these suggestions will help you protect your cat from potential hot weather, and we look forward to providing you with more advice and information on how to care for yourself.
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