Springtime Health Concerns to Look Out for with Your Cat

Springtime Health Concerns to Look Out for with Your Cat

April 5, 2021

As the weather gets warmer and spring starts to come on, nature begins to awaken from its lengthy winter slumber. More sun means more time spent outside, especially in warmer climates, which can be a good thing. However, it can also present some drawbacks for your cat.

While you may be relishing the new warmer weather here in Saint Francisville, LA, pet care should also be at the forefront of your mind. Your cat is part of your family, and as such, you want to protect them. Here are some feline health concerns you should be aware of this spring.

Fleas

The warmer weather of spring increases your cat’s risk of contracting fleas, as they can latch onto your clothes and find their way to your cat. Fleas are small parasitic bugs that hook onto mammals and feed off their blood. They can produce 50 eggs in a single day, so their numbers can get out of control quickly. They cause irritation to your cat’s skin and can carry insidious bacterial diseases.

Ticks

Ticks are big problems in suburban areas in the spring. They typically come from deer, but can get inside by hanging onto clothes. When they attach themselves to cats, they often latch onto the cat’s ears or their perineum, which is the area on the cat’s anus devoid of hair. The danger arising from ticks is the potential diseases they can carry, including but not limited to Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, cytauxzoonosis and feline leukemia. You should check and brush your cat’s fur regularly to avoid these pesky bugs.

Easter baskets

Spring also means Easter, which can mean the creation and stashing of Easter baskets if you have children. While participating in this activity is a timeless tradition, you would do well to be mindful of what’s in the Easter baskets and where they are hidden. Many Easter baskets have chocolate candy inside them, which can cause health problems for both cats and dogs. But the real danger to your cat lies in the green plastic Easter grass that’s present in most baskets. It can cause stomach problems in curious cats if they end up nibbling on it.

Flowers

April showers bring May flowers, but when it comes to pet care, you should know which flowers pose a threat to your cat. The most well-known are lilies, which can be toxic to all pets, and possibly fatal if consumed by cats. Lilies are a considerable hazard to your feline friend due to the pollen, flowers and leaves all being toxic. Daffodils, azaleas, ivy, aloe and ficus can all also be poisonous to your cat if ingested. Seek medical attention for your cat if you see it exhibiting any signs of poisoning, like drooling, vomiting, having diarrhea, looking or acting “drunk” or collapsing.

Bring your cat to St. Francisville Animal Hospital

Now that you are aware of the potential dangers that could harm your cat, hopefully you can help them avoid them and make spring a beautiful season for both of you. But if your cat is ill, just doesn’t seem right or simply needs a checkup, and you want to provide your pet with the best pet care in Saint Francisville, LA, take them to St. Francisville Animal Hospital. We’re the experts who care!

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