Why Your Cat Should Live Indoors
Some Things to Consider Before Putting Your Kitty Outside
Jul 27, 2007
Of course there are happy, healthy cats living outdoors all over the world. There are many reasons, however, that for the health and safety of your feline friend, your cat should be an indoor only pet. Many breeders actually make it part of their kitten contract that you must keep your cat at indoors at all times, and even having them outside on a harness is not acceptable and a breech of your contract and health guarantee.
Why such strong rules? Breeders know that there is disease everywhere in the outside world. Yes, there is a possibility that you could accidentally track something in on your shoe that makes your cat sick, but why not avoid all the possibilities of your cat catching a disease that you can?
Here are some things to think about before putting your cat outside:
- Young cats are small and often fall prey to larger animals.
- Older cats are less able to defend themselves from predators.
- Cats roam far from home and often get lost.
- Many cats roam free and spread disease from one yard to the next on their travels. A stray cat could have walked through your yard carrying a virus.
- Cat fights are the number one cause of the spread of FIV (Feline Aids).
- Your cat is much more likely to have fleas and ticks if they live outside, and fleas cause worms in cats.
- If your cats eat rodents, they are very likely to get worms and parasites.
- Your cat is much more likely to get bitten by a mosquito and get heartworm.
- Your cat could get hit by an automobile.
Some of these things seem very simple, but stop and think about your neighbor’s cat. Do you know if that cat has had his shots or been tested for Feline Aids, FIP, or Feline Leukemia? These diseases spread quickly and easily and will kill your cat. What about the neighbor’s cat a mile down the road, because your cat will roam and explore, sometimes to amazing distances!
Is your cat spayed or neutered? If your female cat gets out and gets pregnant, can you afford an emergency C-section (up to $2,500.00) if she has trouble? Many cats die every day while delivering kittens, and countless kittens are lost during the birthing process or even after you’ve had them for a couple of weeks and fallen in love with them. Do you have time to raise a litter of orphan kittens? They need to be fed and cleaned every two hours around the clock.
With all these considerations, don't you agree that the best place for your cat is in your home. Your cat is a friend and companion, and if you want them to be with you for a long time, you must do everything you can to protect them.
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