Top 5 cat care mistakes to avoid this summer

Unfortunately, for many individuals who keep an active schedule or have plenty of trips planned in the coming season, this could come at an expense of their cats' overall well-being. Being a responsible pet owner should be a bigger priority than your summer fun, but there are a number of common mistakes that every pet parent is guilty of during this time of year. Here are a few frequent cat care mishaps that you should look out for this summer.

1. Indoor cats without flea and tick prevention. While it may seem easier to leave your indoor cat unprotected from fleas and ticks, there's still a good chance that he or she can contract them. These insects can find their way indoors from loose window screens, on clothing and many other methods, so it's vital that you treat your cat with a flea and tick preventative year-round to prevent any flea infestations or insect-borne illnesses.
2. Lack of grooming. Proper grooming, especially during spring shedding season, is paramount to your cat's good health. YourCatSecrets.com suggests making the time for a daily brushing session to reduce the amount of stray hair on your furnishings and to reduce the risk of hairballs.
3. Litter box maintenance. According to the Huffington Post, litter boxes should be cleaned daily to maintain your cat's good health and to encourage him or her to use it consistently. A litter box holds many clues to your feline's state of health, so staying on top of it can help you spot health issues before they become major problems.
4. Skipping wellness checkups. Just because your cat hasn't showed any behavioral changes or other issues doesn't mean that something couldn't be lingering under the surface. Make it a priority to go to the vet for wellness checkups at least two times each year to get a better sense of your cat's overall well-being.
5. Ignoring behavioral changes. Those subtle changes in your cat's behavior can be tell-tale signs that your pet could be experiencing a health problem, so be mindful of any changes in your cat's demeanor. Changes in litter box use, lethargy or disinterest in play can all be noticeable indicators that your cat may be dealing with an underlying health issue that should be inspected by a vet.

This content is provided by the pet wellness experts at Hartz. We know that adopting a dog or cat is a huge commitment, so we're here to help you feel confident and become the best pet parent you can be.