A Cat Owner’s Guide To Keeping Kitty Safe This Fall

October 2, 2017

Oh, to be a cat and sleep all day, especially on grey, rainy days. Now that fall is upon us and the days are getting shorter, you’ve probably noticed your cat is taking advantage and sleeping more than usual. This is normal. Cats are very in tune with nature and the changes that come with the seasons. By the time winter draws near, they’ve already claimed their napping spot and are curling up for a long winter snooze.

Keep Kitty Safe

With shorter days and fewer daylight hours, you’ll want to be especially careful when you let your cat outdoors. Better to keep him or her safe inside after the sun goes down. When it starts getting dark outside really early in the morning and evening, visibility is bad and more traffic accidents occur; so be extra careful. Keep Kitty where you can see them.

Outdoor Toxic Hazards

While some pet owners are outfitting their cats and dogs with fluorescent gear and LED lights, you might be interested to know that those trendy, glow-in-dark plastic tubes/collars contain toxic chemicals that can make your cat very sick indeed. Apparently, cats love to chew on these glow sticks and can easily puncture them. If it happens to your cat, watch out for signs of drooling and frothing at the mouth, accompanied by retching and abdominal pain.

What else do you need to watch out for? Antifreeze. As people prepare for the winter and start topping up the windshield wiper fluid and engine coolants in their vehicles, as a cat owner, you need to be aware of spills. Antifreeze can end up in puddles and driveways and be tempting to your adventurous, outdoor cat because it tastes sweet. Signs to watch out for  ethylene glycol poisoning include, drooling, vomiting, and drunkenness. 

Seasonal Shedding

Fall is also the season when your cat will shed as fast as the autumnal trees lose their leaves! Now’s a good time to give Fluffy a good grooming and flea treatment. You can find many organic, non-toxic products on the market, so no worries about harming your cat. 

Fleas and Fall

With the nights cooling down and the thermostat going up inside your home, the warmer inside environment will stimulate any dormant fleas into existence. Check out flea shampoos for carpets or use flea powder like a carpet sprinkler if you suspect fleas may be hiding out in your house. 

Seasonal Cat Allergies

Your cat may develop allergies at any stage of life and become sensitive to pollen, dust, or mold. Watch out for respiratory problems like sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. 

Now you have all the info you need to have a safe fall season, so sit back and enjoy your cat!

by Natalie Secretan
PuppyDogCapers.com

Photo credit: Jer Clarke - Ada Bird Watching II