Summer Cat Care

Summer is officially here! This can be a fun time of year for our feline pals. Fluffy gets to roll around in all the sunbeams. Plus, there are even more birds for her to spy on from her favorite window. Of course, the hot weather does come with a few risks. Here, a Hudson Valley, NY vet offers some ‘purrfect’ summer cat care tips.

Water

Heat can be extremely dangerous for cats. Fluffy has a fur coat on, and she can’t easily cool herself off if she overheats. Make sure your feline friend always has plenty of fresh water. If you have more than one kitty, set out extra water stations. You may find that your pet prefers drinking from a fountain: many kitties like running water.

Brushing

While kitties are pretty good about keeping up with their daily beauty routines, they still benefit from being brushed regularly. This will help get dead hair, dust, dander, and pollen out of your cat’s coat.

Keep Kitty In

Fluffy may see herself as a lion, tiger, or panther, but she’s actually quite small and vulnerable. Keep your pet safe and sound inside. The key is to just make sure that your furry pal has lots of toys and entertainment options to amuse herself with.

Parasite Control

We welcome the warm weather, but we’re not as thrilled to see fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other parasites coming out in droves. Make sure your kitty is up to date on her vaccines and parasite controls.

Snacks

Who doesn’t like a cold snack on sweltering days? Offer Fluffy a bowl of chilled sodium-free broth or canned tuna in water. You can also try mixing canned food with plain fat-free yogurt and freezing. You can even get your cat some kitty ice cream.

Bed

Your feline overlord will spend the vast majority of her summer sleeping. You can point a fan at your pet’s bed. She may not want too much wind, so don’t aim it directly at her. Hammock beds may also please your furry overlord.

Monitor Your Pet

Cats love to follow their humans around. This is cute, but it can be dangerous: you don’t want to accidentally lock Fluffy in a hot shed or attic. Keep a close eye on your adorable stalker.

As your Hudson Valley, NY pet clinic, we’re here to help! Please feel free to contact us anytime!