Ah, sweet summertime! The living is easy (most days!) and fun in the sun is almost always on the agenda. For many folks, that means heading over to the watering hole – the swimming pool! And while there has been plenty of discussion around pool safety for dogs, it doesn’t appear the dialogue has developed much when it comes to pool safety for cats. We don’t want to leave them out, do we? Of course not! If your cat is one of your main companions and you want to keep him safe around the water, stick around. We have a few suggestions.
We understand most cats have a dislike of the water. But that doesn’t mean you should disregard any pool safety indications. It’s important to take certain measures to ensure their health and safety is not at risk.
First of all, you can teach your cat to swim.
Your cat should know what to do if he accidentally falls into the water. Introduce him to the water slowly, on his terms, and keep your cat in your arms during his first exposure to the water. Gradually let go more and more until his instincts kick in and he starts dog paddling (Sorry! We had to say that!) on his own. You must be patient during this time, however. He won’t be Michael Phelps from the get-go! Now, if your cat does enjoy the water and likes to get in it, give him a ramp so he can easily walk in and walk out as he desires.
After your cat has been in the water, dry out his ears.
Failure to do so could result in pool water sitting in the outer ear canal which can cause bacterial growth, infection, or significant pain. Use cotton balls or a small, soft towel. Also, rinse your cat off a bit after he has been in the pool or, at the very least, use a wet towel to wipe him off and then dry him completely. Because cats are always grooming themselves, it is important to make sure there are no pool chemicals left on his fur.
Invest in a pool alarm.
These are great devices that alert you to things going on in the water and can let you know danger is lurking. Alternatively, you can get your cat a water-detecting collar that will alert you when he gets into the pool without your knowledge.
Yes, CPR is vital to know!
Should your cat need life-saving measures after getting in the pool, be sure you know how to administer CPR. If you ever do have to do so, it is also advisable to take your cat to the veterinarian afterwards just to be sure all is well with him.
Being prepared is your best defense when it comes to pool safety and cats. Or, you may just have a cat that prefers to watch the swimming fun from the safety of a comfy indoor spot right by the window.
Thanks to townleypoolandspa.com for these helpful tips.
Written by Ann Butenas
An internationally-recognized author and writer, Ann began her professional writing career at age 12 and began speaking while in college. She has been published thousands of times over the past three decades in all media forms, was former editor and publisher of KC Metro Woman magazine, and has also hosted three talk radio shows in the Kansas City area.
