Cat Health and Safety Tips for Spring and Summer

If you're like me, you can't wait for the warm weather to come.  It represents fun, sun and holidays.

But for our cats, there are some risks and irritants that are also associated with the warm weather.  So to keep everyone safe and happy, I've detailed a few things to watch out for.

Protect Against Heartworm Disease

If your cat isn't on heartworm protection all year long, springtime is the best time to start.

Are cats at risk?

Yes.  And even indoor cats are at risk. Heartworm disease in cats was first reported in Brazil in 1921, but today it's a worldwide problem.  Cats who live in areas where a lot of dogs are infected will have a higher chance of contracting the disease.

What is heartworm?

Heartworm disease in cats is a serious and potentially fatal condition.  But luckily it can be easily prevented with medication from your vet.

Mosquitoes transmit the disease by biting an infected animal, then passing the infection on to other animals they bite.

More specifically, the cycle begins by a mosquito biting an infected animal that has heartworm larvae in its blood.  The mosquito ingests the infected blood, and passes the larvae to the next animal it comes in contact with.

The larvae then migrate through the cat or dogs tissues and eventually reach the heart and lungs.

For more information, please read my feline heartworm information article.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are common parasites during the warmer months.  Ticks are not only irritating to your pet, but may transmit several debilitating diseases, such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis.  Many flea prevention and treatment products will also help control ticks.

If your cat gets a tick ask your veterinarian to show you the proper way to remove them from your pet (if you try to remove the tick by pulling, you may leave its mouthparts embedded within your pet's skin).

I have a great cat flea control article about everything you ever wanted to know about fleas, plus recommendations for great flea and tick products. 

Pesticides and lawn / garden care products

Many of these products are potentially toxic to pets.  Be sure to store these items where your pets have no access to them.  After treating your lawns and gardens, restrict your pets from these areas until exposure danger has passed.

Also, many types of summer foliage (such as hydrangea, wisteria, delphinium, foxglove, privet hedge, and monkshood) can be toxic to pets as well, so select your plants carefully.

Summer Heat

Heat prostration kills many pets each year.  If your cat spends a lot of time outdoors, ensure you provide a cool and shady spot with lots of clean water for them to drink.

If your cat is an indoor cat, ensure to leave some windows open and leave lots of clean water.

Heat prostration caused by leaving pets in a car with the windows only partially or completely rolled up, is also a common summer killer.  The temperature inside a car on a hot day can quickly increase to 100 F, and can cause death in as little as 10 minutes.  So please be careful.

If you can, it is best to leave your pet at home.

Swimming Pools

If possible, try to prohibit access to your pool, or cover it with a tight fitting cover that prevents access.


I hope you and your cat(s) has a safe and happy summer!

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