Health Tips For Your Outdoor Cat Adventurous, curious, fearless. The qualities you love about your cat can also get him into trouble. But you, being an informed pet owner, will know how to keep your cat out of harm's way.
Lawn Chemicals
Read the precautions for pesticides and herbicides carefully and keep pets away from newly-treated yards. If pets come in contact with chemicals, wash their feet, abdomen and chest thoroughly and call your veterinarian. Keep toxic items like herbicides and insecticides securely locked up.
Poisonous Plants
These include lilies, philodendron, dieffenbachia, elephant ear, eucalyptus, spider plants, azalea, ivy, amaryllis, pyracantha, oleander, boxwood, Jerusalem cherry and plant bulbs.
Allergies
Common pet allergies include pollen, grass and weeds. If your cat scratches excessively or chews at its paws, bring it to your veterinarian for an exam.
Parasites (External)
Frequent brushing provides early warning of parasites and skin infections by lifting the coat and permitting a view of the skin below. Fleas, ticks and ear mites thrive in warm, humid environments. See your veterinarian to set up a preventive program.
Parasites (Internal)
Most internal parasites found in cats are worms. One of the most common is the tapeworm, which cats contract by ingesting fleas, lice, or rats and mice that already have tapeworms. Ask your veterinarian about symptoms and treatment for internal parasites your cat may come in contact with.
Cars and Critters
Don't let your cat roam. (Just in case, make sure your cat is licensed.) They're susceptible to fights, injuries, infections and bite wounds. And, of course, your pet is no match for a car. Also, in winter cats like to get under the hood of a warm car. Check before you start up!
Cats and Water
Although cats can swim, they don't have the endurance of dogs. Trying to scramble out of a swimming pool or backyard pond can be too difficult for some cats. Kittens in particular are susceptible to falling into tubs, buckets, even kitchen sinks from which they can't escape. Don't leave your cat unsupervised around water. And if you take your cat boating, use a pet life jacket or harness to keep your cat safe
|
