Just like us, most cats love the great outdoors, especially in the summertime. Here are our top tips to ensure your cats are safe and happy when outside…
- Before allowing your cat outside make sure they are fully vaccinated, neutered and microchipped.
- A number of plants have the potential to cause harm to cats and should be avoided. While most cats are fairly fastidious about what they ingest, accidental poisoning is still a possibility, particularly with certain plants such as lilies, which can be toxic to cats even if they simply groom the pollen from their fur. For more information on cats and poisonous plants, please click on the link https://icatcare.org/advice/poisonous-plants
- Cats like to eat grass to aid their digestion, and it may also provide them with essential trace elements in their diet. It is recommended that cats have access to grass either in the garden or by planting a tray of “cat grass”.
- Most cats also love catnip so it may be worth planting some in your cat-friendly garden.
- Provide outdoor enrichment in the form of objects that enable cats to hide, exercise and play, such as outdoor scratching areas made from tree trunks or a wooden upright post covered in rope.
- Provide several outdoor locations for fresh drinking water e.g. water fountains or rain-collection dishes. Suitable outdoor toileting areas, such as a quiet, private area with sand or soil that cats can dig in, can also prevent cats from toileting where you don’t want them to.
- You may want to consider cat-proofing your garden to keep your cat in, and other cats out. For detailed advice on cat-proofing your garden please click on the link https://icatcare.org/advice/fencing-your-garden
For more advice on how you can help your cat to safely enjoy spending time outdoors, please do not hesitate to contact your local Pennard Vets branch.
