Keeping Your Cat Active & Safe in Summer

Even indoor cats love to explore outdoors. Taking your cat outside during the summer gives you both a chance to enjoy the weather. Just remember that cats enjoy the freedom of being outside, and even tall fences can't always contain them! Let your cat roam in a fully enclosed area of your yard, or train her to tolerate a harness and lead. And whether your cat lives outside or has the chance to explore only now and then, here are tips to ensure she stays safe.

• Provide plenty of fresh water and make sure she has a shaded place to nap and stay cool.
• Check her paws often, as tar from hot pavement can become embedded between the pads.
• Clear your yard of plants that are poisonous to cats.
• Keep vaccinations current. Wildlife is very active in the summer, and bites can be dangerous for your cat. If your cat is bitten, consult your veterinarian immediately.
• Give your cat a collar and tags with your phone number in case she likes to explore too far from home.

Even if you keep your cat indoors, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

• Plant a cat garden. Grow cat grass or catnip indoors in pots or in a patch of your enclosed sunroom garden. Your cat will flip for dried catnip, and will love to munch on fresh cat grass.
• Entertain your cat for hours by placing a bird feeder on or near a window where she naps. Your cat will love to watch the birds, and you'll love to watch her. If she gets especially excited about what she sees, try a game of "find the kibble" with Science Diet® dry cat food indoors to burn off some energy.