Change Your Cat Care Habits with the Change of the Season

With the cold chill of fall starting to hit, it’s time to start thinking about what the change of the season means for older cats. After a hot summer of laying in the sun and roaming the warm outdoors, your cat is going to lose a little bit of outdoor freedom. Here are some things to keep in mind this fall.

Watch out for ticks

During the fall, backlogged ticks (deer ticks) are very active, which can cause major health problems for any animal. Ticks cause problems such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, rocky mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. Make sure to constantly check your cats for ticks and take the right precautions to prevent them from these little parasites. Pro tip: do not let any animal anywhere near a pile of leaves. Although they might look pretty and fun to jump into, ticks love hiding in these piles.

Make sure your cat is still being active

As cats get older, it is common for them to have joint issues. The cold weather can cause your cat’s joints to act up and stiffen even more than usual. Make sure your cat is still getting plenty of exercise and staying warm, which will help with relief from joint issues. Cat jackets and warm beds are great for cats who are suffering from joint agony. Giving your cat DGP on a daily basis can also help with this.

Beware of the fluctuating weather

Fall can be a tricky season because of the weather changes and unpredictability. One day it can be very hot and the next can be very cold. Make sure you are appropriately preparing your older cat for the weather outside. If it is too hot, have them drink more water to stay hydrated, and don’t let them outside for too long. Make sure they have a jacket if they go outside in the cold, and a warm bed to come home to when they come inside.

Change their diet

With the cold weather, your cat is likely to become less active. The summer allowed them to run around and burn off the food they were eating throughout the day. But now, the cold weather may hinder their ability to do so. As a result, change your cat’s diet to smaller portions and healthier choices so they are less likely to become overweight, which can lead to many other health problems.