What To Do After Hiking With Your Cat

Last week we wrote about what to do before you go hiking with your cat. But what about after? Anything special you should do? There are a few basics you can do after a hike, both for you and your cat. Combining these tips with our post from last week, you should be all set to hit the trails!

If you have not checked out our article on what to do before hiking with your cat, we suggest you do. That article also has links to some other posts, such as training and equipment.

Having a post-hike routine can really help. Here are a few of our tips on what to do when you get back from hiking with your cat.

For you:

Eat/Drink something

Walking or hiking is exercise. If you are going to be out for a longer period of time, we recommend you bring snacks and drinks with you. However, if it is a shorter trip, having something to eat when you get home is fine too. You should also drink some water or electrolytes, especially if it was a hot day.

Check for ticks

During the spring and summer, it is very important to check yourself for ticks. Even if it was a paved path that you stayed on the whole time. Ticks can carry all sorts of diseases that can be transmitted to you, with Lyme Disease being the most known one. You want to remove the tick as soon as possible, either yourself or at an urgent care if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

Relax

Because hiking and walking can be tiresome, have some time after your get home to relax, Maybe stretch for a bit, take a nice shower, or even take a nap (maybe with your cat).

For The Cats:

Offer food and water

Just like for yourself, hiking for your cat is great exercise too. They may need a meal or snack afterwards. On days where they walk a lot and are very active, you may need to feed them more than on a day where they stay in all day. Just like for people, the more active you are, the more calories you burn, the more calories you need to eat. So do not be afraid to give them a little extra.

If your cat is not a big water drinker, find other ways to hydrate them. Maybe with a fountain if they like moving water. Squeezable treats (Churus and Tiki Stix are out cats favorites) are a great way to get some added moisture into your cat on hiking days. Another option is adding some water to their next meal.

Check for ticks

Again, even when staying on the trails, it is important to check for ticks. While cats are actually naturally pretty resistant to tick borne diseases, they are still at risk and should be checked. If you do not feel comfortable removing the tick yourself, call your vet and see if they will do it for you.

Common spots ticks may be include around the ears, between their toes, around the tail, or around where their harness sits. Of course ticks can attach anywhere, so check their whole body carefully.

These tick removers work for dogs, cats, and people: Home Sake Tick Removers.

Check for other irritating things

Along with ticks, other things can attach to your cat. Things such as small rocks, sticks, burrs, and more. When you are checking your cat for ticks, check for any other foreign bodies that may be stuck somewhere on your cat.

Checking the inside of your cat’s mouth is also a good idea, as things can get lodged in there too.

Wipe down their fur

When your cat is walking, they can rub up against all types of trees, plants, logs, etc. There are pet-friendly wipes that you can buy to wipe them down afterwards. This is also helpful in case they came in contact with a toxic plant, so they do not clean themselves later and lick it. 

Cats are pretty resistant to poison ivy and it is rare that it would affect them. However, the oils can get on their fur and transferred to you when you touch them. So these wipes can help protect you too.

Unscented wipes are best, in case your cat is allergic or sensitive to any scents. Here are our favorites from Amazon: Pogi’s hypoallergenic wipes.

Comfy spot for post adventure nap

Hiking is tiring for the paws. They need to rest. Have a nice quiet area for them to take a post-hike nap. If it is colder out, maybe a nice fuzzy blanket or heated bed. If it is warmer out, try a cool mat or ice pack under a blanket if they seem warm.

Conclusion:

Hiking with your cat is meant to be fun for both you and your cat. We want to help you enjoy this time and bond with your cat. So if you have not gone hiking with your cat yet, check out our article on what to do before you go here. It includes links to many of our other helpful articles as well. And if you do go hiking with your cat already, we hope it is enjoyable for you both and that these tips are something you include in your post-hike routine. Happy hiking everyone