Cats can suffer from different health problems throughout the year. However, during the summer, you must be extra careful about these health issues.
Heatstroke
With summer heat comes the risk of heatstroke for your kitty. If you have an indoor cat, you will want to be extra careful about letting them out. The temperature needs to be under 70 degrees Fahrenheit before it is safe for cats to be outdoors.
Also, keep in mind that overweight cats are more likely to suffer from heatstroke. Fat cells insulate the body and act as a barrier against extreme temperatures.
Indoor-only cats can still get too hot inside if they do not have proper ventilation or access to fresh air through windows or screens. If your cat is prone to getting overheated while playing outside on hot summer days, make sure they have access to somewhere cool where they can rest afterward. Doing so allows you to reduce the chances of your cat suffering a heatstroke.
Flies
Flies can be a major annoyance to you and your cat, but they can also be a danger.
Flies are attracted to food, feces, and even water. They are also attracted to the smell of blood (especially during the summer when it is hot). They will often land on dead animals in your backyard that has been killed by other predators or natural causes.
The main concern with flies is that they can carry diseases such as salmonella and toxoplasmosis. The best way to avoid their presence is to keep your surroundings clean. Dispose of any dead or dirty matter around the house immediately. The longer you wait to do so, the more chances of a fly infestation.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are always a nuisance for your cat. Fleas live on the fur of cats and cause itchy skin. They also spread diseases to cats if they are not treated.
Ticks feed on the cat’s blood until they grow large enough to drop off the host animal onto ground level. There, they lay eggs that hatch into larvae that later turn into adult ticks again, which can then infect another animal.
These parasites are not just harmful because they make your cat feel uncomfortable. They also carry diseases. So, you must do everything you can to destroy any flea and tick infestation in your cat.
There are many ways to deal with fleas and ticks in cats, and you can find all these solutions on PetCareRx. Oral and spot-on (topical) medications are widely used by pet parents to deal with fleas and ticks. Oral flea medications need to be taken for three to six months, depending on what the vet suggests. You can also opt for a flea spray or flea collar if you want.
Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes can affect both cats and humans alike. The most common symptom of diabetes in cats is excessive thirst and urination. Other symptoms include increased appetite, weight loss (or gain), vomiting or diarrhea, weakness or lethargy, and recurrent skin or urinary tract infections.
Cats with diabetes may also experience sudden changes in behavior that stem from emotional stress. They may become irritable or extremely affectionate because they’re hungry all the time.
When it comes to treating diabetes, do as your vet suggests. All cats do not get diabetes for the same reasons. So, vets need to check them on a case-by-case basis. They will prescribe the necessary cat medication as well as cat food that can help keep your kitty’s diabetes under control.
Allergies
Allergies are an immune system response in which the body perceives a substance as harmful and produces antibodies against it. The most common allergens in cats include food, fleas, dust, pollen, mold spores, and cat dander.
Food allergies can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Respiratory (nasal) allergies may cause sneezing, while skin allergies can result in scratching or fur loss. The most common causes of allergies include fleas and their saliva (flea bite dermatitis) or foods containing protein that your cat has difficulty digesting (food-induced allergic enteropathy).
Flea allergy occurs when your pet is allergic to the flea saliva itself. This condition will occur even if there aren’t any actual fleas present on your pet’s body. That is because of how quickly cats groom themselves off every day after being bitten by insects.
For allergies, it would be best if you could consult a vet. Once again, they have to treat these medical situations on a case-by-case basis. Thus, a thorough checkup of your cat will be needed before the vet can advise you on what to do.
While these health problems can be dangerous, following proper treatment and prevention plans can help you deal with them easily.
