Dear Fisher,
Hot weather is coming soon and I have a great back yard with a patio and swimming pool. My humans have it covered with screen that they call a bird cage. I think that’s pretty funny because it keeps the birds out and the cat (me) in. I love to stay out there when the weather is nice, but in the summer it gets pretty hot. How do I know when to yowl at the door before I get overheated?
Plato
Dear Plato,
Precaution is a key issue here. Your people need to know that even though you might choose to sleep all day inside the house in a nice warm sun spot, you are protected from direct sun. It is much different if you are outside for long periods of time with the sun beating down on your favorite nap spot on the patio. A good rule of paw is in a quote from Charles J. Brady, “The real measure of a day’s heat is the length of a sleeping cat.”
Stretching your body as you nap helps you cool off. It is true. Should you get trapped in the “cage” while everyone else is inside with the air conditioning, you need to get pretty creative with keeping your cool. A word of caution: stay out of the pool. A word of precaution: your people should install some sort of ramp in case you wander in for a quick swim and suddenly remember you do not know how to dog paddle!
Heat can cause serious harm to all critters. We all know animals should never have to stay in a hot car. Unfortunately, we still hear horror stories. Some of us know that cats can get sunburn because they do not have enough color pigment to protect their skin. A little sunscreen on the tips of the ears and on the nose will help if you really must be out there.
It is very important to monitor your reactions to the heat. Cats exhibit many of the same symptoms as dogs – or for that matter, humans, when they are over exposed to the heat and sun. Panting, anxiety, increased heartbeat and lethargy are some of the early signs of heat stroke. Often cats will drink less rather than more water. You must drink. Order up a water-on-the-rocks pronto if you start to get overheated. And, of course, get inside!
A few good safety tips for your people from Pets America include:
- • Get to know your pets normal pulse, breathing patterns, etc – it helps you recognize pending emergency situations
• Keep animals out of direct sunlight during the heat of the day – if you are uncomfortable, your pet is uncomfortable
• Know the signs of heat stroke and immediately wrap your cat with cool towels and offer an ice cube to lick for re-hydration
• Test the heat radiating from the sidewalk or street on your own two bare feet
Hot summer is not the time to play “where on earth is the cat?” You know you can disappear in front of your humans and it is a good sport for you – sometimes. If your fun and games cause you to spend a hot day in the bird cage, you are not going to get the last laugh.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay Out There weekend edition
My problem is about going on the boat with my family. It’s not that I don’t love the water, but there’s so MUCH of it! I get scared of the noises and boats coming and going. Can you tell me how to get rid of my scared-y-cat behavior?
Tater
Dear Tater,
I have not personally gone boating - yet! I do know of a cat who rode around on a speed boat on a giant lake in Northern Minnesota. He loved it! It isn’t uncommon for some dogs and cats to go on boats. On the other hand, it is common that some cats and dogs fear going on boats - so do not get too hard on yourself. I think that just going over some rules and precautions will set your heart rate at ease. The same would go for humans, too. Knowledge can go a long way in easing fear.
Dogs are better boaters if the adventure is shorter, like a day trip. They adapt quickly to their new surroundings. Cats, on the other hand, may take a little longer to adapt to the boat, but once there and settled in, they could go forever. I highly recommend Diana B. Jessie’s book, Cruising with Your Four-Footed Friends. Her book is full of great advice for both you and your owners. It addresses both cat and dog issues, and I think once you read it, your fears will be replaced with excitement.
Jessie has some great recommendations, like:
- • Do a trial run before planning that “ultimate” adventure. Your humans should start out introducing you to your new quarters and pathways - slowly - without leaving dock.
• Take a short romp around the deck to get used to the feel of being on the water.
• Add motor noises and activities as you are feeling more comfortable to best to ensure a happy sail.
• Go ahead and sniff around - when you are ready for the next step, stop for a nap. That will let everyone know you are calm and confident - so far anyway.
Everyone on the boat should have a PDF - except the cat. What is a PDF? A PDF is a Personal Floatation Device. You must learn to put in on quickly in case of an emergency.
And, “Why?” you might ask does the cat get excused from wearing a PDF. According to Jessie, even the smallest “dog” PDF’s do not fit a cat well and if in trouble, would limit their movement. Instead of a PDF, the author trains her cats for self rescue by hanging a towel off the boat and teaching the cats to climb it. If they were to fall off, they can swim to the towel and get themselves back on board. Brilliant! (And don’t you know it would be done with style!)
These are just a few of the many great ideas for “four-footed boaters”. Visit
Boat U.S.
for more about Diana Jessie and more of her great tips. Happy sails!
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay Out There weekend edition
I’m an inside cat but sometimes I get to go out on the patio with my people. I have to be supervised. That’s what they say. I love all the flowers and plants out there, but they fuss at me whenever I try to nab a bite. They say some plants are poisonous, but how do I know which are good and which are bad? They know I don’t always remember the rules so maybe they should get rid of the poisonous plants?
Waldo
Dear Waldo,
Keep in mind that your humans buy plants because they are beautiful on the patio or in the yard, and they do supervise you so you won’t get into trouble. Sometimes severe weather conditions can cause humans to bring outside plants inside. They are usually under some stress when that happens and might forget about the seriousness of exposing you to plants dangerous to your health.
Campaign for CATNIP! When it shows up as a “special treat” on the patio, make sure to show a great deal of appreciation. Don’t hold back on silly antics that make them laugh. Cuddle up to them and show off your loving nature. That should guarantee a steady supply of catnip and then you must leave the other plants alone. And do not forget!
Several sites on the internet provide lists of poisonous plants. There are a few variations, but when in doubt, just stay away. Some plants on the list that are common in or area are:
• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
• Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
• English Ivy (Hedera helix L.)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.)
• Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis)
• Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander L.)
• Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
• Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)
• Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
Go to Library UIUC Education for an extensive list of plants.
Some of the common symptoms of plant poisoning are loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, pale tongue or gums, swollen tongue, abdominal pain, or worse yet, convulsions. When in doubt, your people should call your veterinarian with as many details and suspicions as possible. They must remain calm and coherent, lest the vet will suspect they have also chewed on a few plants.
As a back up, cut this out and stick it on the refrigerator door:
The Animal Poison Control Center is a unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone assistance to veterinarians and animal owners. There is a $50 consultation fee paid by the animal owner, veterinarian or product manufacturer.
Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
Your safest plan is to confine your dining to only substances put lovingly into your very own food bowl.
Your friend,
Fisher
