Summer Dangers for Cats: What Every Cat Owner Should Know
As soon as summer arrives, cat owners' biggest worry is usually heatstroke. But in reality, besides heatstroke, cats can experience many other health problems during the hot season!
Heatstroke: The Main Concern
Cats are vulnerable to heatstroke, especially in extreme temperatures or if left without proper ventilation. Signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and even collapse. Immediate action and veterinary attention are crucial if you notice these symptoms in your cat.
Other Common Summer Health Risks for Cats
- Dehydration: Cats may not drink enough water, making dehydration a real risk. Make sure they always have access to fresh, clean water.
- Sunburn: Especially for light-colored or thin-coated cats, sunburn can lead to skin burns or even skin cancer, particularly on the ears, nose, and around the eyes.
- Parasites: Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes thrive in summer and can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and even transmit diseases.
- Toxic Plants and Chemicals: Outdoor and indoor plants such as lilies, along with common household chemicals and garden pesticides, can be extremely toxic if ingested by cats.
- Accidental Injury: Open windows, balconies, and increased outdoor activity can raise the risk of falls, traffic accidents, and injuries during the summer months.
- Insect Bites & Stings: Bees and wasps are more common in summer, and their stings can cause allergic reactions or swelling in cats.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe This Summer
- Provide plenty of shade and cool resting spots in and outside the home.
- Refresh water bowls daily or use a pet fountain to encourage drinking.
- Use pet-safe sunscreen on areas with little fur when necessary.
- Keep windows and balconies secure to prevent accidents.
- Regularly check your cat for ticks, fleas, and other signs of parasites.
- Consult your vet about the best parasite preventatives, especially during peak summer months.
- Research and remove any toxic plants from your environment.
Summer can be a joyful season for both cats and their owners, but it's important to stay vigilant about the unique threats hot weather brings. Taking simple precautions will help ensure your feline friend stays happy and healthy all season long.
6 Common Summer Diseases in Cats
Here are six common diseases that affect cats in summer, along with some prevention tips—cat owners, make sure not to let your guard down!
1. Outer Ear Infections in Cats: Causes, Risks, and Care Tips
Outer ear infections, or otitis externa, are especially common in cats during the hot and humid summer months. This is a period when the environment promotes the growth of bacteria and yeast, increasing the risk of infection.
Breeds at Higher Risk
Certain cat breeds are more susceptible to developing outer ear infections. Breeds such as the Scottish Fold and the American Curl are particularly prone due to the unique shapes of their ears. Additionally, cats that have had outer ear infections in the past require extra attention and preventive care.
Importance of Ear Hygiene
To reduce the risk of infection, it is essential to maintain regular ear hygiene for your cat. Special care should be taken to check the ears of breeds prone to otitis externa or any cat with a history of ear issues.
Signs of Outer Ear Infections
Be vigilant for the following symptoms, which may indicate an outer ear infection:
- Unpleasant odor coming from the ears
- Presence of brown, coffee-colored earwax
- Frequent scratching or pawing at the ears
If you notice any of these signs, consult your veterinarian for prompt evaluation and treatment.
Summer's heat and humidity can make outer ear infections more common in cats, especially certain breeds and those with a history of ear disease. Regular inspection and cleaning of your cat's ears, along with attention to any warning signs, are essential to maintaining ear health.
2. Caring for Your Cat's Skin in Hot Weather
Dermatitis: When the weather gets hot, a cat's sebaceous glands become more active, leading to increased secretion of skin oils. Without proper cleaning and grooming, your cat's skin can easily develop issues.
If your cat already suffers from chronic skin problems, symptoms such as itching are likely to worsen during hot seasons. To address these concerns, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian early. Depending on your cat's condition, your vet may recommend starting medication in advance or increasing the frequency of bathing.
Proactive care and cleanliness are key to keeping your cat comfortable and healthy during the warmer months. Always monitor your pet's skin and seek professional advice if you notice any changes or increased discomfort.
3. How to Check for Dehydration in Cats During Summer
Dehydration is a common issue for cats in the summer, even if they seem completely healthy. Cats—especially older ones—can easily become dehydrated because they may be too lazy to get up and drink water often enough.
How to Check If Your Cat Is Dehydrated
To check whether your cat may be dehydrated, gently pinch and lift the skin on the back of your cat's neck, then release it. If the skin does not immediately spring back into place, this can be a sign of dehydration.
Tips to Help Your Cat Drink More Water
- Offer wet food instead of only dry food.
- Place multiple water bowls around your home so water is always accessible.
- Use a water fountain or automatic water dispenser to make drinking more appealing.
Keeping your cat well-hydrated is vital, especially during the hotter months. Monitor your cat's water intake and watch for signs of dehydration to help keep them healthy and happy all summer long.
4. Protecting Your Cat from Fleas and Ticks During Hot Weather
Fleas and ticks are especially active when the weather turns warm. Fleas do not just cause itchy skin for your cat—they can also trigger allergic dermatitis, making your pet miserable. Ticks, on the other hand, are more than just bloodsuckers; they can transmit a variety of infectious diseases, such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a disease that can even be passed on to humans.
Why Preventive Care is Essential
Even if your cat lives exclusively indoors, monthly use of preventive treatments is highly recommended. Parasites can hitch a ride on clothing or other pets, and it's far easier to prevent an infestation than to treat one. Regularly using flea and tick preventatives keeps both you and your cat healthy and safe from potential dangers.
Tip: Prevention is always better than cure. Make applying preventive medication a routine part of your pet care—your cat will thank you!
5. Heartworm Infection in Cats: Prevention and Risks
Many people believe that heartworm disease only affects dogs. In reality, cats can also become infected with heartworms through mosquito bites. The symptoms in cats can sometimes be subtle or even unnoticeable, making the infection easy to overlook—and, in worst cases, it can even lead to sudden death.
Even indoor cats are at risk, as mosquitoes can quietly make their way inside and bite them without notice. Because of this risk, it is recommended to routinely administer heartworm preventative medication to your cat every year from the onset of spring (around April) through late winter (around December).
Protecting your cat with proper heartworm prevention measures is essential, regardless of whether your pet spends most of its time indoors or outside.
6. What to Do If Your Cat Is Bitten by Insects
During the summer, both at home and outdoors, you may encounter all sorts of strange and annoying insects such as centipedes, horseflies, bees, and more. Cats are naturally curious and tend to chase after small bugs and insects, which sometimes leads to unfortunate bites or stings. These can cause redness, swelling, pain, and, in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock) in your cat.
Important: If your cat gets bitten or stung, do not apply any ointment or medication meant for humans, as these may be harmful to cats.
What Should You Do?
- Check your cat for any wounds, redness, or swelling.
- If you find a bite or sting, keep a close eye on your cat for signs of discomfort, pain, or allergic reactions (such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, or weakness).
- Avoid self-medicating with products from your own medicine cabinet.
- If you notice any wounds, or if your cat shows any worrying symptoms, take your cat to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for a proper examination and treatment. This will help prevent the situation from getting worse.
Never use human medications on your cat without veterinary guidance, as this can make matters worse. Prompt professional care is the best way to ensure your cat's safety and recovery.
Keeping Your Cat Comfortable in Summer: Beware of Overactive Air Conditioning
Gentle Reminder: In addition to the health concerns mentioned above, there's another common summer pitfall to be mindful of: setting the air conditioner too low. Cats are actually more sensitive to cold than humans, and a chilly indoor temperature can lead to digestive issues for your feline friend.
To keep your cat cozy and healthy, make sure to maintain the room temperature between 25–28°C (77–82°F), which is the most comfortable range for cats.
