Is your cat safe?

Do you leave your cat outdoors? If so, you may be putting them at great risk. Many people think, "It's only natural for a cat to go out," or "Cats can take care of themselves." The fact is, none of those are good reasons, only excuses. Cats allowed to roam at will sometimes pay with their lives. The average lifespan of an outdoor cat is only 2-3 years. Wouldn't you like your pet to be around longer than that? An indoor cat's average life span is 12 to 15 years or more.

There is nothing "natural" about a cat being outside. When humans domesticated cats (about 6,000 years ago), they removed them from the wild and changed their ecological role. Cats are no longer wild animals that fit into an ecosystem, but are dependent on us, receiving the things they need to live from us.

Cats Can Cause the Same Problems as Dogs

In addition to being dangerous to your cat, free-roaming cats cause many of the same problems that dogs do. Cats break into garbage and dig up the neighbor's flower beds, ruin bird watching for people with feeders, and add to the burgeoning cat overpopulation problem. Free-roaming cats also pose a hazard to people in cars who try to avoid hitting them on roads. Also like dogs, outdoor cats can transmit diseases to people. Cats allowed to roam at will are even more likely than dogs to come into contact with rabid wild animals and thus spread diseases to people. These threats can be avoided by keeping cats indoors.

Risks to Outdoor Cats

Of course, the most important reason to keep a cat in is for the animal's own safety. Some cats may like to go outside, but for their own good, they shouldn't be allowed. After all, young children might like to play outside unsupervised, but allowing them to do so is negligent. The same is true for allowing cats out. Just look at just a few of the hazards facing outdoor cats:

Disease. Rabies has already been mentioned as a threat to us. More common are diseases that inflict cats only and that are spread through contact with other cats. Two diseases that kill large numbers of cats each year are feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Both diseases are transmitted from cat to cat and, once contracted, result in the eventual death of the animal due to a compromised immune system. Keeping cats inside helps prevent the transmission of these killers. Parasites. Outdoor cats inevitably pick up fleas and ticks and then bring these pests into the home with them. Fleas can cause anemia, skin irritations, and allergies in cats. These parasites also pose risks to humans since they can transmit disease through their bites. Ridding the pet and home of fleas and ticks is difficult and can expose the pet to harmful chemicals. Indoor cats aren't generally exposed to fleas, ticks, ear mites, or other parasites. Poisoning. Poisons exist on chemically treated lawns, in bait left out to kill rats or mice, and in auto antifreeze drained from cars (a sweet substance cats love to lick, but which is deadly). Most cats love to chew on greens, but their fondness can be safely satisfied with grass grown in an indoor pot. Other animals. Other cats, dogs, and wildlife are potential enemies of cats and often engage in fights that leave a cat injured. Outdoor cats can suffer torn ears, cut eyes, abscesses, and other injuries requiring expensive veterinary treatment. Cruel people. All shelter workers can tell horror stories about cats that come in tarred and feathered, burned, or tortured in some other way by cruel people. A cat outside is a likely target for people who collect animals to sell to research laboratories. Outside pets are at the mercy of the people they encounter. Traffic. Most outdoor cats die from auto accidents. It is a myth that cats are "streetwise" about cars. Cats are intelligent and alert, but they stand very little chance against fast-moving vehicles. Pet overpopulation. Anyone who's ever worked in a shelter knows that unaltered cats allowed to roam and mate at will account for millions of the cats euthanized each year. Click here to learn more about this terrible problem.

Keeping Cats Happy Indoors

Many people swear that their cats will be miserable if they are cooped up in the house all the time. The key is to provide your cat with a stimulating environment. With a little attention to what a cat likes and needs, you can create a home that keeps your cat healthy, safe, and happy. Here are some tips to help you keep your pet amused while inside:

Open screened windows to let some fresh air in. Fresh air and sunshine are great for cats. Just be sure the screen is secure. If window ledges aren't wide enough for the cats to sit on, shelves are available that attach to ledges for cats to perch on and watch the world go by. Plant pots of indoor greens for cats to chew on. Grass, bird seed, alfalfa, or catnip will provide cats with fresh, tasty treats that aren't exposed to chemicals and pesticides. Give cats something to do while everyone is away. Hiding a few treats around the house gives the pet something to look forward to. But cats do catch on to this game quickly, so you have to be sneaky. Open paper bags left out or open closets can give cats new places to explore. Provide a companion pet for cats who would be alone otherwise. A compatible dog or a kitten will keep a cat company and will also keep him or her more active. Offer the cat toys that are safe and stimulating. When choosing toys, try to think like a cat. Is the toy furry or feathery? Can it be made to hop or fly? Does it move and feel like a small animal? These kinds of toys will provide cats with the most exercise and amusement. And don't forget a cat's need to scratch and climb. A scratching post at least two feet high is essential -- a floor to ceiling pole with perches is even better. Play games with your cat. Human companionship is a very real need for cats. What better way to provide this and make your cat happy than by playing with him or her? In addition to playing with cat toys, a cat may also enjoy games of chase, peek-a-boo around doors, capturing nontoxic soap bubbles, or chasing light spots created with a flashlight or reflective object.

If cats have your love and attention and lots to do on the inside, they won't miss the great outdoors, which, after close examination, isn't so great for cats at all.