Mary Allen
If our house cats could determine the weather, there would be eternal summer in our latitudes. After all, their ancestors lived in the dry and hot steppes of North Africa. But even cats can get too hot and then they need this help from us humans!
Sun and warmth let the house tiger blossom. But as well as cats are adapted to high temperatures, it can also get too hot for them at times. It is therefore important to have an undisturbed, cool place where the cat can take a siesta. While free-roaming cats can look for a breezy, shady spot outside on their own, indoor cats depend on the help of their humans. On hot days, you should therefore air the apartment well in the morning and then darken it to keep out the heating rays of the sun. External roller shutters banish the heat better than blinds. Special sun protection films also do a good job. The cat must be supervised while the window is being aired if the window is not secured with a cat net or lattice: the fact that the cat has made no attempt to jump out of the window for years does not mean that it suddenly changed its mind and jumped into the window Dares freely – sometimes with terrible consequences.
The Blazing Sun Never At Midday
Tilted windows also pose a special danger. The cat tries to squeeze itself through the gap, usually gets stuck with its rear body, and gets stuck deeper and deeper in its attempts to free itself. She can inflict life-threatening crush injuries. Of course, water should always be within reach of the cat. Some cats also appreciate it if you leave some water in the bathroom sink to cool their paws. However, the water level should always be below so that if the cat falls in or slips, it cannot drown. Another danger that the heat brings is the rapid spoilage of feed and food. Most of the time, the instinctively safe house tigers do not touch spoiled food – but unfortunately, exceptions always prove the rule. Therefore, you should always throw away leftover food immediately. Intense sunbathing can not only lead to heat build-up, but it can also cause sunburn, especially in white cats. The ears and the bridge of the nose are particularly at risk. Incidentally, as with humans, frequent burns from exposure to the sun are also a cause of skin cancer. Cats with white ears and faces should therefore be kept indoors over lunchtime if possible.
No Chemicals Against Pests
Summer is also the season for all kinds of stinging pests. Outdoor cats can bring back a lot of stowaways from their excursions, such as fleas, ticks, and, in late summer, autumn grass mites. In particular, you should prevent flea infestation, because it is difficult to get rid of the annoying stingers once they have settled in the apartment. A few mosquitoes will probably bother you more than your kitty. Insecticides are more dangerous than mosquitoes. Cats are extremely sensitive to insecticides. Therefore, avoid using them if possible. Mosquito protection nets in front of the windows are non-toxic and keep the pests away. These nets also protect the home from a wasp invasion in late summer. These beneficial insects sting when threatened. A wasp sting on the face or throat can have fatal consequences for the cat. If the worst comes to the worst, you must quickly remove the stinger, cool the bite site as best you can, and call your veterinarian.
Human Fun Endangers Kitty
Cats that are allowed to enjoy themselves in a garden can easily become poisoned by pesticides. In particular, poisoning by slug pellets occurs again and again in cats. It is, therefore, better to work with non-toxic methods in your green kingdom. Unfortunately, many cats drown in garden ponds or swimming pools every summer. A low exit or a cat-proof fence around the cool water can therefore save lives. Barbecues represent another danger in the gardening season. The hot barbecue and the barbecue lighter (risk of poisoning!) must be closely supervised at all times. But what you should also not forget is Normally, your house cat enjoys its favorite season completely safely and in the best of health. So don’t worry too much either, relax and enjoy the summer just as much as your cat.