Fall is a beautiful time of year here in Ontario. It’s always nice to enjoy the beautiful foliage, and savor a hot cup of tea or coffee on those first cool, crisp autumn days. Our feline friends may not be particularly impressed by foliage or pumpkin cappuccinos, but they will notice the change in weather, and may need a little extra TLC at this time of year. Here, a Springdale, ON vet discusses autumn care for kitties.

Keep Fluffy Indoors

Fall can be a particularly dangerous time of year for cats that are allowed outside. As the weather cools, many people fill their cars with antifreeze, and apply lawn/garden products and pesticides to their yards. These things are all very toxic to kitties! Fluffy could get sick just walking through an area that was treated, and then licking her paws. Wild animals, weather, and poisonous plants also put our feline buddies at risk. Keep your kitty warm, safe, and purring indoors.

Comfy Beds

Believe it or not, cats manage to sleep even more in cold, dreary weather than they usually do. One of the best ways to pamper Fluffy is to make sure she has lots of warm, comfy napping spots to choose from for her morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, and evening naps.

Heating Elements

Candles, potpourri burners, and fireplaces can all make your home look cozy and inviting. However, these things definitely do not mix well with kitties. You don’t want Fluffy accidentally sticking her tail in a candle flame, or getting singed by sparks! Keep candles and potpourri burners in high, secure spots, and use protective grates on fireplaces.

Litterbox

Make sure your pet’s powder room is in a quiet place that is easy for her to reach, but free of drafts. No one likes a chilly bathroom!

Shedding

Autumn is a peak shedding time for our furry friends. As Fluffy exchanges her summer coat for her winter wardrobe, you may find cat hair, well, pretty much everywhere. Brushing your pet regularly will reduce the amount of fur you find on your clothes and belongings, as you’ll be catching that dead hair in a brush before it gets stuck to the sofa. You may also want to ask your vet about hairball remedies. Please contact us, your Springdale, ON animal clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!