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Enjoying the outdoors!The priority of keeping our cats safe and protecting their health should be year around.  During the spring and summer months, however, it can be a bit more challenging.  Many cats just want to get out and their persistence often prevails.  it is definitely safer to keep our cats indoors, but when they do venture out, especially during these warmer months, we should be aware of some of these extra risks:

  • Remember that cats can be vulnerable to extremely hot weather and become exhausted, dehydrated, and even suffer heatstroke.  We should always provide plenty of fresh water and shade for our cats.  If our cats are older or overweight, they may be at even greater risk. 
  • We should protect our cats from fleas and ticks each month.  Our region has both of these nasty parasites.  We do not want our pets, or our family members, exposed to any of these disease carrying creatures!  Check with your veterinarian for safe and appropriate products.
  • If we leave cat food or treats outdoors, we might attract unwanted wild animals, such as raccoons or opossums.  These wild animals can cause major health risks by not only injuring our cats, but also spreading disease.  Keep all food indoors!
  • Our hunting cats can pick up internal parasites, such as tapeworms, from rodents.  Check with your veterinarian for safe and appropriate products if needed.
  • Walk around your yard, from your cat’s point of view, to eliminate any toxins from the environment.  We need to also keep compost piles separate so our cats have no access.
  • Do not forget to keep up on hairball prevention during the spring and summer months.  Our cats will be shedding their thick winter hair coats and will be grooming themselves more frequently.
  • We should always bring our outside cats indoors at night, because, as we have all learned, “Not much good happens after midnight!”

Be safe and have an enjoyable spring and summer with your kitty! 

For more information on your cat’s health:  www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/