Keeping Cats Indoors (and Safe!)

THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING YOUR CATS INDOORS

Although a life out in the sun sounds like a virtual paradise for your average house cat, there are many threats outside that can permanently harm or even kill your cat. Keeping your cat indoors is the best way to ensure his or her safety.

This blog post was written to inform cat owners, new and experienced, about the dangers of letting their pet cats outdoors and to offer tips on keeping cats safe and stimulated, both inside and out of the home. Having a cat means a lifetime of fun and companionship, so let’s be sure that we keep them as healthy and happy as possible.

THREATS TO CATS OUTDOORS

Disease:

There are an estimated 60 million stray and homeless cats in the United States, many of which could be carrying diseases that can cause lasting harm to your pet, or even be fatal. Common diseases include:

• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

• Rabies

• Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia )

• Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

• FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)

*For more information on these diseases and how to spot them visit: www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-diseases

Parasites:

Fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, and fungal infection, such as ringworm, can easily be picked up by your cat if it can roam outdoors. These parasites can cause a variety of symptoms, like diarrhea, vomiting, and skin infections, and can even be spread to their human loved ones!

Toxins/Poisons:

Poisons and toxins can easily be digested by your pet cat, and some could even have a pleasant taste to cats and dogs, such as antifreeze. Cats allowed to hunt for rodents outside might also be exposed to rat poisons that the vermin have recently ingested.

Cars:

Cats roaming the streets in urban, suburban, and rural areas are often hit by cars. Contrary to popular belief, they do not instinctively avoid busy roadways. Cats have also been known to sleep inside of engine compartments! Give the hood a tap before starting your car!

Animal Cruelty:

Although many people love cats and will care for them, there is still animal cruelty, even in the nicest neighborhoods. Cats have been shot at with BB guns, intentionally chased and run over by cars, or even trapped, abused and killed for ‘fun.’

Other Animals:

Many people believe that their cats are ‘tough’ enough to be outdoors, and that they can fend for themselves. Unfortunately, there are many animals who will happily and successfully hunt cats for a meal. Loose dogs, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, birds of prey, and large reptiles will attack, and these attacks can be fatal.

Trees:

The iconic image of a cat stuck in a tree can be quite a desperate situation for your pet. Cats have been known to climb trees to escape predators or to hunt, and then are unable to come back down. They may be up in a tree for days until they become so dehydrated that they fall, and suffer severe, sometimes fatal, injuries.

FOR THE BIRDS…

Not only is letting your cat outdoors potentially putting it into an unsafe situation, but the impact they can have on the local environment can be immense. Some studies show that up to 70% of the predation on birds in the United States is done by cats, and they also hunt a variety of other small mammals and reptiles, some of which are endangered. The best way cat owners can assist with the situation is by keeping their cats indoors. A well-fed, indoor cat will still hunt; it is just instinct for them.

TIPS FOR BRINGING CATS OUTDOORS

If you do plan to bring your cat outdoors, there are several ways to ensure its safety:

• Supervise their outdoor activity to make sure no harm can come to them.

• Keep the cat on a leash, in a kennel, or in another confined space. Some cats may just wander away for good or they might be attacked by a predator if free.

• Take them to your veterinarian yearly.

• Keep the cat updated on vaccinations, they can offer a lot of protection.

• Use a flea and tick preventative to prevent parasites from latching on.

TIPS FOR A HAPPY INDOOR LIFE

A life indoors does not have to be a prison sentence for your cat. There are many ways to keep them happy and thriving inside your home

Playtime: Spend at least an hour a day playing with your cat. A busy cat is a happy cat.

Mental Stimulation: Have some things around the house for your cat to focus on, and change them out every so often so they don’t get bored! Interactive toys, bird feeders outside the window, and laser toys can entertain easily.

Scratching Posts: Cats like to scratch. It’s a natural behavior for them, so providing material that they can run their claws down is essential. Along with regular claw trimmings and claw caps, a few scratching posts can be an easy way to protect your furniture (and your legs!) without the potential trauma of declawing your cat.

*For more information on the pros and cons of declawing, visit: pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/ declawing-cats-positives-negatives-alternatives

Hiding Places/Perches/ “Cattios”: Cats have a way of finding their way into almost anyplace. Having areas that provide for their need to be up high, bask in the sun, or hide in dark spaces will provide your cat with an outlet for instinctual behavior. Enclosed ‘cattios’ outside of windows or on porches also allow cats to be outdoors, while still being kept in an enclosed, protected area.

Companion Cat: Many cats prefer to live alone, but some might enjoy and benefit from having a cat friend (or even a dog friend) to spend time with. They can exercise together, groom each other, or just offer some affection when they right match is made. Visit your local shelter for more information on introducing cats to other cats and dogs.

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REFERENCES/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Information provided by www.americanhumane.org, www.audobon.org; www.aspca.org; pets.webmd.com

Images provided by Google Image Search

Content organized by Allegra Sewell, graduate student, Miami University. Contact: asewell333@gmail.com