Warm sunlight tanning your skin in gorgeous tints, a couple of mojitos, a light swimsuit, fluorescent towels, sunscreen, and the fantastic water reflecting from the pool in front of you. That is quite a figment of imagination we’d love to bring to life any day. One pool day after a long week of strenuous work is the perfect escape to a therapeutic break. While planning a weekend out, remember to make it memorable for your feline friend. Many cats aren’t a big fan of water and may not jump (pun intended) in at every opportunity of the pool party. But some of them might end up loving it and you in the process. So here are some helpful pool safety tips for cats to ensure their stay is worthwhile.
Teach them to swim
Although the possibilities are that your cat is very likely to avoid water, it’s always wise to teach them to swim to dodge the worst-case scenario of drowning. A couple of lessons and next thing you know, they might end up enjoying the drill of the swim. Most cats have the instinct to swim; however, some might drool down to confusion and get drowned. Ensure to make all these possibilities straight. Follow a one-step-at-a-time method and introduce them slowly to the water. Let them get the hang of it and be comfortable before jumping in. Always be sure to protect the baby’s arms and claws. You can do this training or hire an instructor, whatever fits best.
Easy entrance and exit
Entry and exit to the pool can be tricky, especially during the initial days, so ensure you’ve given them sufficient assistance. Getting in is still more accessible, but the damp fur can make it slippery and hard to get out of the pool. For the same, provide the passage out through a ramp.
Know when the water is above the bridge
Educate yourself about the near-drowning symptoms in cats, as there is never any harm in being prepared. These symptoms can include bluish gums, red and bubbly spit-up, and gurgling sounds in the chest. Be on the lookout for these signs, and if you ever detect them, get your pet to the vet immediately. The stored water in the body can be responsible for organ collapse.
Alarm it up
Thanks to astounding technological advancement, numerous devices are on the market to cater for you in the safety process. There is a fair chance that your cat accidentally falls into the water. Install a pool alarm that buzzes when such accidents do happen. Most alarms can only detect the fall of large objects, such as human children. Ensure you install an alarm that is also responsive to your pet’s fall.
Dry their ears
Now that your furry friend is out of the pool from a relaxing and soft dip wipe their ears dry. This is important because the left-out water can be home to many bacteria or infections. You can use soft cotton balls or small, soft towels to dry up those tiny ears.
Keep fresh water handy
One of the essential pool safety tips for cats is always to keep fresh water and let your cat take a good sip before sliding into the pool. Otherwise, your cat might get thirsty and end up drinking pool water full of chemicals that might be intoxicating and unhealthy for your pal. Also, as much fun as it is to swim into the pool water, extended exposure to it can prove harmful to your cat’s fur or skin. Be sure to rinse them dry immediately after a good swim.
Along with these measures, you can also teach yourself cat CPR as it may be helpful anytime. But remember, whenever things get curvy, rush to the vet ASAP before it gets out of hand. Or another option can be to talk to professional vets before you allow your cat inside the pool. The most crucial takeaway in pool safety for cats is to always be on guard, for better or worse. Juggle with things to figure out what works best for your favourite pal.