The weather is getting softer, the temperatures are rising:
no doubt, spring is here. Good news for everyone, including our sun-loving
kittens. Beware, however, because the new season does not come without its odds;
parasites, allergies and poisoning ...
Here are the threats of the season to be aware of for the
sake of the welfare of your cat:
1. The parasites
It is important to regularly examine your cat against
parasites, especially in spring. With the sun the temperature rises, which
favors the proliferation of insects like fleas or ticks. And even if your pet
comes out little, parasites can travel to your home by clinging to your
clothes.
There are two types of antiparasitic agents, each of which
fulfills a specific role: insect repellents have a prevention function. They
remove fleas, mosquitoes and other unwanted parasites. Insecticides, meanwhile,
kill pests in addition to repelling them.
Be sure to reserve each product for its intended use. A pest
control is not used on a cat, and vice versa. If in doubt, do not hesitate to
ask your veterinarian for advice.
2. Allergies
Just like humans, cats are likely to suffer from various
allergies. The most common is flea allergy, which in the cat results in
Allergic Dermatitis with Flea Sting (or DAPP). A single sting is enough to affect
a cat that will scratch itself sometimes to the blood.
With spring it is better to pay attention to allergies and
look for symptoms: cough, vomiting, irritations ... from the slightest doubt,
it is better to consult a veterinarian. He will find the right remedy to calm
the symptoms and prevent the allergy from gaining momentum.
Also, pay close attention to the processional caterpillars.
Urticantes and highly allergenic, they are a real danger for the kitties!
3. Toxic plants
Spring also rhymes with the proliferation of plants and
flowers! If they are pleasant to look at and perfectly embellish our gardens,
some are very toxic to the cat.
The less harmful will provoke only a few irritations in our
feline friends (like nettles). Others, once ingested, will give rise to
digestive problems (honeysuckle, hyacinth, or ivy for example), or affect their
heart (aconite, thrush) or their nervous system (belladonna, cannabis).
4. The Falls
Cats sneak everywhere, and with the sunny days we tend to
open much more often the windows. But beware: a small pet feline quickly
slipped out.
Although it is an agile animal, it is not uncommon for the
cat to fall from a window sill or balcony. It is therefore recommended to be
particularly vigilant. Even if you have swinging windows, cats will probably
try to sneak out while taking the risk of getting stuck! Friends of cats, it is
better to keep the windows closed or to install safety devices, to keep your
companions safe from a fall which can be fatal.
5. The molts
Nothing more natural in spring for the cat than the loss of
hair. Yet, poor digestion can provoke dangers rising from the hairballs that
the cat usually spits out. They can cause vomiting, anorexia or intestinal
occlusion.
It is therefore recommended to help attenuate the hairballs
of our cats. For example, you can help your cat toileting to eliminate a part
of its molt, or give it a diet high in fiber to facilitate its digestion.