April Sunshine and Cat Cuddles: Springtime Cat Care Tips

Every season has its own set of precautions related to the temperature dips or highs, or specific holiday hazards. Spring is an exciting season brimming with possibilities. Unfortunately, along with all the good things the season has to offer, there are plenty of risks to cat health and safety. We’ve got the best springtime cat care tips so you and your kitty can take in all the floral scents, sunny days, and naps in the gentle breeze. 

Where to Begin

Even cats that enjoy an indoor-only lifestyle benefit from a proactive approach to disease prevention. Parasites can enter the home on human clothing or belongings, exposing cats to various health problems related to fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Likewise, animals that carry various contagious diseases can enter the house by mistake, or cats can escape their homes. 

Keeping cats up to date on their year-round parasite prevention medication and current on all of their core vaccinations (rabies, feline distemper and feline leukemia) is essential to spring time preparations. 

That Time of Year

Cats may not necessarily want to get separated from their owners, but they simply can’t help the call to dart out the front door, hop the fence, or run after prey. Before they know it, cats go missing and if they aren’t microchipped, they could be gone forever. 

Microchipping also only works when cat owners update the national database with their contact information. As a gentle reminder, if your cat hasn’t been chipped yet, or your contact information has changed since they were chipped, spring is a great time to follow up.  

Also, spaying or neutering is always a good idea but perhaps has the greatest impact during kitten season. 

Springtime Grooming

Cats are very adept at regulating their internal body temperature in spite of their fur coat. While grooming them should continue to be a high priority throughout the warmer months, their fur coat should be off limits. Shaving or clipping their coat not only interferes with their body temperature, but can expose them to sunburn. 

Spring Cleaning

If you get into a spring cleaning frenzy, create a safe space for your cat. Set them up in a quiet room away from all the actions, increase the home’s ventilation, and only allow access to clean areas after products dry. 

This goes for the garage, backyard, and driveway, as well, if your cat spends any time outside the home. Clean up any paint cans, chemical cleaners, gardening supplies, and anything else potentially dangerous (insecticides, citronella products, etc.) to cat health if they ever have the opportunity to explore or inspect. 

Heat Safety

While springtime may not see scorching temperatures, it’s an important time to acknowledge heat safety. Please follow these tips for heat safety:

• Always have clean, fresh water on hand
• Ensure your indoor-outdoor cat has access to deep shade
• Keep them indoors on sweltering days with AC and fans running
• Watch them closely for any signs of overheating or heat stroke (panting, dry gums, breathing difficulty, rapid pulse, extreme thirst, lethargy)
• Keep playful activities limited to early morning and evening hours

If you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health and safety this spring, please reach out to us at (404) 907-1404. Our team at Trusted Friend Animal Clinic is always here to help your cat.