Tips to keep your cat healthy during summer
As much as we try to provide a feline-friendly home, sometimes we encounter problems that occur annually because of different holidays or seasons. Summer, for example, brings problems for us to guard against because we are bringing more outside hazards indoors, sometimes unknowingly.
The most obvious concern for summer is that our felines drink enough water, even though they are indoors. Sometimes our finicky felines need a taste adjustment or a visual perk to peak their interest in water. Bottle water, filtered water, or water with ice, all aid in the encouragement to drink.
Some felines may need a more drastic step to entice them to drink more water. A ceramic or stainless steel water fountain may solve the problem. The fountain can especially be the solution if your feline likes the sink or tub faucet. A fountain can mimic the flow or trickle. If this is the case, look for a spout or down-flow tap. If you have multiple felines, look for a fountain with spouts they can share. You should remember to change the filter as needed to keep your felines enjoying the fountain.
Felines can also suffer from the damaging effects of the sun. This is especially true for felines with shorter hair and patchy spots on the ears and face. White and lighter-colored felines burn more quickly, but don't forget, black and darker-colored felines overheat quicker.
Are you thinking about applying sun screen to your feline's delicate areas? If you are, only use items that are specifically pet friendly. It should be also geared to felines because they are sensitive to additives and drugs that dogs may not be. Lotions not made for felines may cause drooling, vomiting, dehydration and simple lethargy. Many products contain zinc oxide which is toxic for animals. Salicylates, which are a fancy work for aspirin products, are another known additive. These are also harmful to felines.
Pulling down shades and limiting your feline's exposure to the sun during peak hours would be the ideal solution, but how do we keep our felines out of the windows?
Treat the summer months like you would any holiday, only this one goes on and on. There are food and drinks going in and out that are feline hazards. A sweet, fruity alcoholic beverage may be tempting for your felines. Felines do not just become intoxicated, but their systems are at risk for becoming so depressed they can fall into respirator distress or a coma. Take extra care to empty all glasses before bringing them indoors if you are not soaking dishes immediately or making them inaccessible.
Citronella candles and products with oil, including insect oils, need to be stashed in a cabinet immediately, if brought indoors. The coils on these products look too much like toys for our felines to resist. Chewing on them can cause stomach irritations, as well as negative impact on the central nervous system. If inhaled, these products can cause a form of pneumonia. These items are without question toxic for felines.
If you purchased glow sticks or glow jewelry for your children for the summer months, these too are harmful for felines. The glowing product looks like a toy to felines. They may chew them or carry them around until they break. The substance that makes it items glow is the hidden, toxic danger. The plastic pieces can also cause blockage in the intestines if swallowed. These items need to stay outdoor or be secured.
Summer brings more cooking outdoors, thereby bringing some of the toxins related to grilling indoors. Matches can casually travel from a pocket to the counter indoors, which our felines can get to. The chlorates in some matches may cause damage to blood cells. Problems can range from shortness of breath to something as severe as major organ damage associated with kidney failure. Lighter fluid lingers even after washing your hands, so wash until the odor is removed.
Perhaps confinement to an escape-proof room is safest, considering that your guests are going in and out as frequently as the summer toxins. Your guests will never be as careful as you are around your pets.
Confinement also allows you to do a safety check around the home to search for hazards before your felines have free range of the entire home again. Also, make sure your felines are fed their normal healthy diet before release into the entire home. This may make them less tempted to eat something they should not.
With a few precautions, you can enjoy your outdoor summer fun without a trip to the emergency veterinarian.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. Its mission is to provide immediate safety and care to stray and abandoned animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.