Summer Safety Guide for Cats

July 7, 2023

With summer upon us in Northamptonshire, it’s important for cat owners to take steps to ensure their feline friend stays safe in the heat.

Our vet team at Towcester Veterinary Centre have created this article on summer safety checks, plus a downloadable guide on common summer first aid situations & tips for you to share with other cat owners, helping to keep all cats in Northamptonshire safe this summer.

Download our Summer Cat First Aid Tips

10 Summer Safety Checks for your Cat

Keep your cat cool: Cats can suffer from heatstroke, so make sure they have access to cool, shaded areas and plenty of fresh water to drink.
Provide a litter box: Cats may spend more time indoors during hot weather, so make sure they have access to a clean litter box at all times.
Keep your cat indoors during the hottest parts of the day: If you can, keep your cat indoors during the hottest parts of the day, especially if they are an older or indoor-only cat. If they really want to go outside though, they should, but for shorter periods.
Regular grooming: Regular grooming can help to keep your cat cool and prevent hairballs. Consider brushing your cat more often during the summer months to cool them down.
Watch out for fleas and ticks: Fleas and ticks are more active during the summer so make sure your cat is up to date on flea and tick prevention. Contact us at Towcester Veterinary Centre for more help with flea and tick treatments or browse our website for more information on this topic.
Provide plenty of entertainment: Cats may be less active during the summer so provide plenty of toys and activities to encourage them to move more.
Keep harmful substances out of reach: In summer, many household items, such as sun cream and insect repellent, can be harmful to cats if ingested. Make sure to keep these items out of reach. Contact us immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any of these substances.
Watch out for poisonous plants: Some common garden plants, such as lilies and foxgloves, can be toxic to cats if ingested. Make sure to keep these plants out of your cat’s reach. Contact us immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested any of these plants. Check out our Summer First Aid Tips downloadable guide that covers poisons.
Watch out for open windows: Cats love to sit in the sun by open windows but make sure that bug screens are secure to prevent your cat from falling out when relaxed!
Regular check-ups: Regular check-ups with one of our vets can help to ensure that your cat stays healthy and happy throughout the summer months. Contact us at Towcester Veterinary Centre to book your cat in for a health check-up this summer.