Holistic Summer Guide To Safe and Happy Cats

Our summer safety guide for cats is REVISED FOR 2022!

Holistic Summer Guide To Safe and Happy Cats

By holistic cat behaviorist Layla Morgan Wilde

While dogs may enjoy playing Frisbie in the park, swimming in the lake and other summer fun, most cats have less fun and attention. School is out; families spend more time together in the backyard or on vacation.

That usually means less time spent with their cats and indoor only cats being creatures of habit, miss their humans and their usual routine. Let’s make this summer safe and happy for your cats.

For Indoor/Outdoor Cats

• Allow NO unneutered/unspayed cat outdoors. Spay/neuter all kittens and cats.
• Be sure they wear visible ID and are micro-chipped.
• Use only well-fitting break-away collars.
• GPS trackers provide added security.
• Treat cats with a topical flea/tick product monthly or twice weekly if using natural products.
• Keep cats indoors at night even if you have a safe, fenced-in yard.
• If you have a catio, make sure there is a shaded area.
• Summer is great time to teach a cat to walk on leash.
• Consider doing agility training in the backyard.
• Leave fresh bowls of water outside in a shady spot.

Behavioral issues are more likely to crop up when routines are changed. Anxiety, separation anxiety, and varieties of aggression can result.

More animals roam in the summer from neighborhood pets to wildlife. This is the most likely time for incidents of direct aggression and redirected aggression to occur. When an indoor cat is agitated by an inaccessible outdoor animal, they may lash out to the nearest person or pet (redirected aggression).

Run-ins with other animals can result in a variety of skirmishes from playful to deadly.

An unspayed or unneutered cat is guaranteed to increase the kitten population when shelters are bursting at the seams during summer. A small claw swipe can easily turn into a hidden abscess. All the more reason for more frequent pet exams. During normal petting or play sessions take the opportunity to observe anything amiss i.e. sore spots, itchy areas, hair loss to excess grooming or limping.

Take a peek at an easy, five-minute DIY home exam by a vet shows how to in our Cat Exam Video.

Holiday Home Alone?

Most cats hate the sight of a suitcase. They know someone they love is going away. When making vacation or other travel plans, plan well in advance for cat care. Good cat sitters are booked weeks or months in advance.

Most dogs love a good kennel or doggie hotel but cats aren’t pack animals and would rather stay at home.

• Professional pet sitters are an excellent option. I recommend visits of at least 2 per day. Many pet sitters offer virtual kitty cams or other digital interface so clients can interact with their pets. The peace of mind knowing your cat is well cared for is priceless. If opting for free or bartered service with a neighbor or friend to cat sit have a clear understanding of what is expected with written instructions. Include contact info for your vet and local emergency clinic.
• Live-in pet sitting is an ideal but expensive option. Be creative. Perhaps there is a family member or friend who likes cats, would like a change of scene and happily move in for a week or three. Connect with other cat lovers locally i.e. via MeetUp.com groups to exchange cat sitting services. There is a house and pet sitting network and if using a home exchange service, find one who likes cats. It’s reciprocal which means you’d have to care for their cats.
• For cat lovers who weekend at their beach or country home must decide which option is best: bringing the cat or providing at home cat care. No, it’s not okay to leave your cat alone for the weekend. Anything can happen from a sudden illness, accident or home related issue i.e. burglary, electrical short, A/C breakdown, fire or flooding I’ve known cats who happily travel by car every weekend to their second home but most do not. If you are leaving for any period of time communicate with to calmly reassure your cat that you are going away for X amount of time, someone will take care of them, you will return and you love them.

VACATION OR SUMMER TRAVEL

Since the advent of more adventure cats that are leash trained and eager to travel, please note: just because enthralling Instagram pics entice, it’s not for every cat. If your cat is adventurous, gradually train him to get used to a well-fitting and comfortable harness (indoors) and leash train first.

Also, get the cat used to a backpack designed for cats before going hiking. Short trips around the house garden, around the block and brief car rides.

Cats who enjoy the great outdoors can hike in the wilderness, go boating in sailboats, kayaks or canoes. Cats can overnight in tents, trailers or a summer cottage. Being out in the wild means there is wildlife and predators.

Do not let your cat off the leash and consider a GPS monitor as an extra precaution. Needless to say your cat is microchipped and wearing an ID tag.

• If you are taking kitty with you on a car trip: a safe, well-ventilated and secured carrier, travel size litter box, scoop and litter in plastic container (I like recycling quart-size yogurt containers), plastic bags, paper towels, moist towelettes, familiar smelling cat bed or pillow, brush, water, food, treats and any meds or supplements in small plastic travel containers.
• Spray calming pheromone products like Feliway inside the carrier, the vehicle and add a plugin version of the pheromone product at the destination.
• Never leave a cat unattended in a car even with the windows open. The temperature in a vehicle even with the windows open on a hot day can rise to 120 F in a few minutes.

Some Like It Hot

Cats are lovers of heat but on hot days, a cat’s temperature can quickly surge past the normal 110.5 – 102.5 F to heatstroke.

• Watch for signs of heatstroke: open-mouthed panting, thick saliva, bright red tongue, rapid heartbeat and lethargy. If your cat seems over-heated bring them to a cool area, apply a cold, wet washcloth and if symptoms persist, call a vet.
• Young kittens, seniors, or sick or diabetic cats are more prone to becoming dehydrated and at risk for heatstroke. If there is a severe heat weather advisory, this extends to our pets. Use common sense.
• When leaving home for work or any extended period, make sure to leave the A/C on or open windows and turning on ceiling and other fans. For floor or table models of fans, check the cords for signs of being chewed.
• Provide plenty of fresh water daily in numerous locations. Add ice cubes as a treat. They’re fun to play with. Water fountains are refreshing but keep all bowls clean to avoid bacteria. If hand washing, wash, and rinse until squeaky clean. If using pet water fountains, remember to replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep toilet bowl lids down and watch outdoor water sources that may be contaminated.
• Consider buying a gel cooling mat
• Cats can get sunburn and skin cancer especially cats with pink ears and noses. There are no FDA approved sunscreens for cats. The safest option is coconut oil for ear tips which offers minor protection but not harmful if licked off.
• Keep cats indoors during peak UV times between 10 AM to 2 PM.
• Summer “lion cuts” for long-haired cats reduce matting and keep cats cooler in the summer heat.

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

All cats love window whiffies, the chance to smell the pleasures of fresh air. With warm weather and open windows, check all screens and window sashes including sliding glass doors are secure and in good repair.

Cats have no fear of heights and will walk on the narrowest ledge, balcony railing or fence. Cats falling out windows is so common it has its own name: highrise syndrome.

Creating a safe catio can be a wonderful summer project for the whole family. Place child-proof window protection if living on a high floor. Creating a safe catio can be a wonderful DIY summer project for the whole family.

Catios range from small units that fit outside a window to room size enclosures attached to the home. A screened in porch in another safe outdoor alternative.

Porches, decks, balconies and gardens are places of relaxation but can harbor unsuspecting dangers from citronella candles, insect repellent especially with DEET, sunscreen, weed control, pesticides, ant and slug bait.

Store anything toxic or unsafe away from curious kitties. That includes coolers of alcoholic drinks or food like raw chicken for a BBQ.

Itchy, Icky and Meow

Summer is bug season. Insects, fleas, ticks, scabies, mites, mosquitoes, bee stings, spider bites oh my! Even indoor-only cats are at risk. Tapeworms can occur from ingesting fleas. Mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus (WNV). While ticks are unpleasant for cats, it’s rare for cats to contract Lyme Disease but one of our readers wrote about her cat’s Lyme Disease.

Preventative flea/tick treatment is best. There are many choices from the topical chemicals to natural oils and diatomaceous earth which works well and acts as an anti-parasitic. I lightly sprinkle on and brush out the powdery earth daily on my cats. If ticks hop on they quickly lose their power and are easily removed before getting deeply embedded.

When removing any tick, use tweezers or a tick remover and nothing else. Complete instructions

It’s natural for cats to leap after moths, pounce on spiders, play with stink bugs or paw at ants. Cat don’t have the ick reaction humans to bugs. Tiny critters that move trigger a cat’s hunting instinct and they’re all fair game.

Wasp and bee sting leaving a toxic venom, flies carry disease and the mesmerizing glow of fireflies spell danger. Most insects are not a cause for alarm but some can be potentially lethal to cats.

In our garden, fireflies put on a magical light show and one found its way indoors the other day. I quickly caught and released it before the cats could have a glow in the dark party. Did you know if a cat eats a handful fireflies it could be deadly? The firefly aka lightening bug glow from toxic chemical compounds called lucibufagins.

Allergies to bees stings and bug bites are rare but avoid risks. For minor skin irritations, abrasions or wounds, I rely on the gentle, natural healing of Vetericyn

Gardens are an outdoor cat’s summer playroom. I grow catnip in my herb garden and like many cats, my cats love eating and regurgitating grass but we garden organically and never spray any pesticides.

My large garden contains some toxic plants like Asiatic lilies but it’s more likely the deer to eat them than cats. To be on the safer side, note the ASPCA list of plants toxic to cats

• Poison ivy is increasingly common in many gardens and while it’s rare for cats to be impacted, if they brush against it, they can cross-contaminate objects. If the brush up against you or if you pick them up, they can transmit urushiol and contact dermatitis If you suspect your cat has been in contact with poison ivy or poison oak or sumac, wipe then them down with a wet cloth or pet grooming cloths like Quick Bath Cat Wipes. After a serious romp in poison ivy a bath with a gentle oatmeal shampoo is recommended.

Summer or seasonal allergies can crop up for cats. The most common one is Aspergillus mold from dust, pollen and grass clippings. Feline acne or dermatitis can occur eating or drinking out of plastic bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are a healthier choice. Easy to clean, slime-free and anti-microbial copper bowls are our favorite. If using pet water fountains, remember to replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer

Fireworks and Thunderstorms

What’s exciting for humans can be a nightmare for cats. Loud noise from a live band, cranked up volume on a stereo, thunderstorms or fireworks are no cause for celebration for cats. Remember cats have a far superior sense of hearing and senior cats are especially sensitive to changes. July 1st in Canada and July the 4^th in the U.S. are the big fireworks days but noisy celebrations remain popular throughout the season. The American Humane Association (AHA) reports that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters and more pets are reported missing or lost at this time. During noisy times this summer, provide cozy spots for kitty to hide and turn down the volume. Skittish cats can be calmed by Thundershirts, or a thin towel sprayed with calming Feliway and tightly wrapped around a cat burrito-style.

Flower essences like Rescue Remedy or the animal wellness essences from Green Hope Farms offer gentle relief. A few drops added to drinking water all summer will help with stress. They work for humans too.

With a little commonsense and mindfulness, our cats can enjoy summer as much as we do.

It’s a great time to teach a cat to walk on leash or teach agility training in the backyard for eager adventure cats. For less active cats, there’s nothing like a cat on a lap to help us slow down to smell the roses.

Have a safe, happy and purrfectly healthy summer!

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