Fresh Start Pet Coaching

My cat is driving me nuts. Aren’t you glad to find out that even the professionals don’t have perfect pets.

I have two cats, Timmy and Cubby. Cubby was raised entirely indoors. Timmy however was an outdoor cat until I adopted him at about 2 years of age. Timmy has been an indoor cat since that time. However, recently Timmy had decided that he is desparate to go outside. I’m not sure if it is the recent change in the weather or some other reason, but I’m having a very hard time keeping Timmy in the house.

So the debate began about whether or not to keep Timmy insideor let him outside knowing that he’s more likely to get lost or injured.

So, knowing that indoor cats lead longer and physically healthier lives, should you allow your cat to go outside?

If your cat is declawed then my answers is an emphatic no. Not having claws puts cats at a definite disadvantage if the need for self defense ever arises. Please keep your cat indoors if he or she is declawed.

If your cat has not been declawed, the best answer I can give you is that it’s up to you to educate yourself and make the right decision for you and your cat. The reality is that their are pros and cons to keeping your cat indoors.

An indoor cat is definitely more likely to stay healthy. When cats are allowed to go outdoors the risk of them becoming injured or ill increases and their average lifespan decreases. Outdoor cats are more likely to encounter other outdoor cats and contract  fatal diseases such as feline leukemia. Additionally, outdoor cats are more likely to be injured whether it’s from a fight with another cat, being attacked by a dog, hit by a car, or injured by any other of the large number of threats out there.

On the other hand, cats that are allowed to go outdoors tend to maintain a healthier weight and some experts believe they are less likely to develop behavior problems (although it might just be that owners are less aware of the problem because the cat is outside). Let’s face it, there is a lot more for your cat to do and see outside. There is fresh air, grass to lay in, sunshine, and trees to climb. Additionally, cats like my cat Timmy, who were once allowed outdoors can have a difficult time converting to being an indoor only cat.

So what can you do if you would like to let your cat outside but still want to keep your cat as safe as possible?

First, you do have to realize that if you let your cat outside it is possible that he could get injured, sick, or even killed. That said I also believe that being outside is beneficial to the mental and physical health of cats, especially if they have been kept outside before.

You can help your cat stay safe outside by following these tips:

• Vaccinate your cat. Make sure your cat is fully vaccinated and keep those vaccinations current
• Make sure your cat is spayed or neutered. Altered cats stay close to home and are less likely to get in fights. Plus they won’t catch diseases transmitted through reproducing.
• Build an outdoor cat enclosure. Cats, because of their ability to jump, climb, and squeeze through tight places are more difficult to keep in a yard than dogs but it’s not impossible. One possibility is to modify your fence or build a cat enclosure like the kitty walk system to allow your cat to go outside.
• Limit or supervise your cat’s outdoor time. Another option is to only let your cat outside when you are there to supervise her or for limited amounts of time. Dawn, dusk, and after dark are the most dangerous times for cats. It’s during these times that your cat is more likely to encounter a predator or be hit by a car. Keep your cat inside during these times to reduce risk of injury.

Remember that there are always risks when you decide to let your cat outdoors and be sure you weigh the pros and cons before deciding to let your cat outside.

Do you have concerns about your cat’s behavior? If so, contact us today to set up your complimentary 15 minute telephone consultation.