A Purrfect First Pumpkin Patch Adventure

I bet everyone is enjoying their Autum so far. It’s time to start decorating your home with cozy vibes and warm hues. Everywhere you go, you see pumpkin-flavored everything! I’m not a big fan of pumpkin flavored treats but I do love that the weather is finally cooling down. I haven’t taken the cats out as much as I want this summer. California has been too hot, and I want to avoid any heat related injuries and illnesses.

Getting Ready

I kept passing pumpkin patches and I told myself I’m going to take the cats to one so they could be exposed to one. I also wanted to find out what their reaction as well. When taking pets to a pumpkin patch, the first thing to do is to check if they allow pets. If they do, make sure your pet is specifically allowed. “Pets allowed” could mean only “Dogs allowed”; I had to make sure the pumpkin patch I wanted to go to allowed cats as well. For my peace of mind, I emailed the contact info on the site to confirm that my kitties would be welcome.

Whenever I take them out, I bring their backpacks with me so they have a safe space that they can go to in case they’re not comfortable. It also gives them a chance to go out if and when they are comfortable, making the experience pleasant for them as well as for me.

At the Pumpkin Patch

I hoped that the new environment and the sights and smells of the pumpkin patch would stimulate my cats’ curiosity. To my surprise, they both liked the attractions far more than the pumpkin patch! Good thing the pumpkin patch organizers set up tents, mini houses, and haystacks that they could explore. Bagel really enjoyed hanging out inside the tent; spending at least half of the time around or inside them. Like our typical walks, they dictated where we go and when we go. We were at the mercy of their whims and would spend several minutes at one spot as they smelled and watched their surroundings.

We didn’t buy any pumpkins – we never made it to the spot where they sold pumpkins. Bagel and Latte at least made friends during their first pumpkin patch adventure.

Reflections

This pumpkin patch experience wasn’t what I expected it to be, but I find the ability to bring my cats to new places and explore the outside world quite rewarding as a pet owner. I never got the chance to do that with my first cat, March. I feel like he missed out on a lot of things by being stuck at home all his life. I’m glad that Bagel and Latte are both capable of going to places with me while leashed; I enjoy all the times that we spend outside, even if I’m sitting on a haystack watching them watch other people.

For more fall activities you can do with your pet, check out this article.