- Getty Creative1 of 11Most pet owners will admit that while their cat companions are wonderful, intelligent and talented, they can sometimes be a little confusing. And by a little, we mean a lot. Thankfully, there are experts who can help us better understand our furry friends. Celebrity veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney is here to answer all of your questions about summertime dangers that can threaten your cat.
Share this on Facebook? - AOL2 of 11Q: Since cats hate water, is it unsafe to let my cat go near or into the pool?
- Flickr: Chickenboots3 of 11A: Not necessarily. You can permit your cat to go into the water provided it is interested and doesn't have health concerns (e.g. heart or lung disease, high blood pressure, advanced degenerative diseases, etc.) that would make swimming risky.
Although we don’t normally think of cats being swimmers, there are some cat breeds that are naturally drawn to water and have strong swimming abilities, such as the Bengal, Turkish Van, Maine Coon and American Bobtail. more
Ultimately, when any pure or mixed-breed cat ends up submerged in water, it will figure out a way to get to the edge of the shore, pool or bathtub through some form of flailing-limb movement akin to what we humans consider swimming.If your feline friend is naturally interested in water, then let it explore on its own, and maybe it will be self-motivated to go for a dip. When introducing your cat to the concept of swimming, use positive reinforcement by providing praise and a treat when it gets close to the water or is willing to put in a paw.
The safest introduction to swimming is to work with a veterinary physical therapist to acclimate your cat to water in a contained environment such as a therapy pool or underwater treadmill. This way, your cat will get used to a life vest that provides buoyancy and makes for a safer swimming session. - AOL4 of 11Q: My cat and I have been playing outside now that the weather is nicer. He's started panting more, but that just means he's excited, right?
- Getty Creative5 of 11A: If your cat is active outdoors, then he’ll release heat from his body as a result of muscle fiber contraction used to get him up and moving. Additionally, warmer and humid environments make it harder for the body to cool naturally, so he could pant in an effort to release heat.
Cats don’t sweat like people do. Instead, they rid their bodies of heat via the respiratory tract (trachea and lungs), paw pads and nose. This is an inefficient means for cats to maintain their normal body temperature, so they may breathe faster and harder in warm environments that don’t affect people in the same way. more
Yet panting cats could be under stress or have underlying health concerns leading to inefficientoxygenation and panting. To best monitor your feline friend’s health, schedule an examination with your veterinarian before engaging in any significant exercise.
Additionally, if your cat is active and can't seem to properly cool down despite stopping exercise, immediately move him into the shade and give him water to drink. Then follow up with a veterinary examination. - AOL6 of 11Q: Is it true that cats can't get sunburned because their fur protects them?
- Getty Creative7 of 11A: Cats can and do get sunburned. Most cats have a thick coat of hair that mostly covers body surfaces and acts like a natural sunscreen, but pink-skinned, light-colored, and thin-coated pets are especially susceptible to sunburn. Cats living in frequently sunny and high-altitude environments are also more susceptible
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Cat Summer Safety Myths Debunked | PawNation
Cat Summer Safety Myths Debunked | PawNationCat Summer Safety Myths Debunked pet myths debunked
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