CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Your Cat: Indoors Or Out
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Stociety of the
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:
·
! becoming
hit by a car
·
! ingesting a
deadly poison like antifreeze or a pesticide
·
! becoming
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
Following
are some of the 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 by allowing him to go outside, unsupervised, you’re putting him at risk and shortening his
life span. Most cats that are 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. How often 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 really 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 our 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.