September marks the beginning of autumn, and while the new season can be exciting for pets, it also comes with many changes that pet owners should be aware of and prepared for. Cat owners have especially been warned of the seasonal dangers that autumn can bring for their furry friends, and whether or not your cat likes the outdoors or prefers spending their days indoors, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Vets Now, which provides emergency care for animals, listed a few autumn hazards that every cat owner should know about to ensure their cats’ safety throughout the season.
Harvest Mites
Harvest mites, or Neotrombicula autumnalis, are microscopic arachnids that live in long grass and woodland areas. They climb up long grass and bushes, waiting to attach themselves to any warm-blooded creature that strolls past.
Vets Now urges cat owners to take precautions and check their cats when they return home from being outside.
It explained: “You might notice clumps of small, orange bugs on your cat (particularly around their ears and stomach, or in between their toes) after they come in after being outside, so it’s best to incorporate regular checks.”
According to the experts, your cat might show signs of irritation like scratching, licking, and inflamed skin, and you may spot clusters of tiny orange dots.
Mushrooms and toadstools
While cats are typically more selective about what they eat than dogs, they can still get curious, and with thousands of species of mushrooms in the UK, Vets Now urges cat owners to “assume all wild mushrooms could be harmful and to keep your cat well away” from them.
This is because it is challenging to identify non-toxic and toxic mushrooms, and if your cat ingests a toxic one, it can lead to severe health issues, including liver and kidney failure.
Darker nights
Vets Now highlighted that cats that roam outdoors “are at great risk in the darker months, especially near roads”. Low visibility during morning and evening hours makes cats more vulnerable to traffic accidents. So, the vets advise considering protective methods, including reflective collars that bounce back light from headlights and torches and LED collar lights, which are a simple way of making your cat stand out in the dark.