Learn
More!
YOUR
CAT… INDOORS OR OUT
If you
want your cat to live a long and healthy life, keep her inside. If you
allow your cat to wander around on her own, without your supervision,
she is susceptible to any of the following tragedies:
- being
hit by a car
- ingesting
a deadly poison like antifreeze or a pesticide
- being
trapped by an unhappy neighbor
- being
attacked by a roaming dog, cat or wild animal
- contracting
a disease from another animal
- becoming
lost and unable to find her way home
- being
stolen
- encountering
an adult or child with cruel intentions.
The following
are a sample of reasons people have provided for allowing their cat
to be outdoors without their supervision, along with our comments and
suggestions.
"I
have a six-foot fence."
Unless you have special fencing that's designed to prevent a cat from
climbing out, your cat will be able to scale your fence and escape the
confines of your yard. Even if you do have special fencing, you need
to make sure that it can keep other cats or animals from getting into
your yard to get to your cat.
"My
last cat went outdoors and he loved it."
Your cat may enjoy being outdoors, but allowing him to go outside, unsupervised,
is putting him at risk and shortening his life span. Most cats allowed
to roam outdoors usually don't live for more than a few years. Cats
that live strictly indoors can live up to 18 - 20 years of age.
"My
cat's litter box smells."
Scoop your cat's litter box on a daily basis. The frequency with which
you change the litter depends on the number of cats in your home, the
number of litter boxes, and the type of litter you use. Twice a week
is a general guideline for clay litter, but depending on the circumstances,
you may need to change it every other day or once a week. Wash the litter
box with soap and water every time you change the litter. Don't use
strong smelling chemicals or cleaning products when washing the litter
box, as it may cause your cat to avoid it.
"My
cat likes to sun herself."
Your cat can sun herself by any window indoors. If you're set on letting
your cat sun herself outdoors, put her on a harness and leash and stay
with her while she's taking in the rays.
"I
can't keep him in."
Keep your windows closed or put in screens. Remember to always keep
your doors closed and teach your children the importance of keeping
the doors closed, too. It may take a few days or a few weeks, but if
there are enough interesting things for your cat to play with indoors,
he'll come to enjoy being indoors. Be sure to provide him with a scratching
post and safe toys to bat or carry around (see the handout: "Cat
Toys and How to Use Them").
"We've
always let her out."
You can change your cat's behavior. It will take time and patience,
but it might save her life. When you implement your "closed door"
policy, give her a lot of extra attention and entertainment. At first
she may cry, but don't give in. Soon she'll be happy to stay indoors
with you.
"My
cat knows to avoid cars."
Even if this were true, all it would take is another car, a dog or a
shiny object to lure your cat into the street and into the path of traffic.
Also keep in mind that some people may not swerve to miss a cat in the
road.
"My
cat needs exercise and likes to play with other cats."
Stray cats are likely to spread viruses like feline leukemia and other
fatal diseases.
If your cat needs a friend, adopt another cat that's healthy and disease-free.
"My
cat yowls and acts likes he really needs to go outside."
Your cat may be feeling the physiological need to mate. If this is the
case, make sure your cat is neutered (males) or spayed (females). Sterilized
cats don't have the natural need to breed, and therefore, won't be anxious
to go out to find a mate.
Reprinted
with permission from the Denver Dumb Friends League.
