If I were Obama I would write an Executive Order for cats to remain indoors!
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Posted on 11/22/2013 5:45:02 PM PST by Perdogg
It's a question all cat owners must ask themselves; "Should I let my cats outside?" The opinions and feelings of cat lovers are varied. Lets take a closer look.
I have been on both sides of this topic. I grew up in a small city, and our cats always went outside.
They were careful about crossing the street, and mostly stayed in the yard. They all lived full lives as well.
Now, as the owner of two great Maine Coon cats, we keep them indoors. Our breeder specified it, and I agreed. You may wonder why I see things in a different light.
Most veterinarians and experts agree that cats do not need to go outside. In fact, the benefits of keeping them in far outweigh the risks of letting them out.
If your cat or kitten came from a breeder, you probably were required to agree to a few terms. Spaying or neutering of your cat, no declawing, and keeping your new pet as an indoor cat.
Did you wonder why that is? Nowadays, as pet owners are becoming more conscious and aware, more and more people are doing their best to make responsible choices for their pets.
The old belief is that we need to let our cats outside in order for them to be healthy, happy and fulfilled. After all, they really want to go out! But just like children, animals don't necessarily know what's best for themselves.
Life Span:
The life expectancy for outdoor cats is roughly 4-5 years. For indoor cats, 12-15 years is average with many healthy cats living to be about 20 years old!
Simply by keeping your cat inside the house, you protect him from a variety of dangers. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that these things probably won't happen.
But this is exactly why the life span of an outdoor cat is so short. Here are some risks involved in letting cats outside: Being hit by a car Death or injury by dog attacks Being attacked by wild animals Parasites: fleas, ticks, worms etc. (Lyme disease in cats is a real danger. Tapeworms come from fleas. And heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes.) Getting lost or picked up by Animal Control Being stolen and used for sadistic purposes Being stolen and used as laboratory animals Being poisoned either accidentally or intentionally Roaming into neighbors yards, causing irritation Death or injury caused by cat fights Picking up infectious diseases from other cats, such as: Feline Distemper, which is highly contagious and deadly Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) There are multiple varieties FELV: Feline Leukemia, the most common killer of pet cats. An infected cat will spread it before any symptoms are shown FIV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIP, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which is always fatal. Cats who contract it are usually euthanized
Although we all know there are lots of risks for letting cats outside, seeing it listed out like this puts it in a pretty strong light.
If you find that your cat is obsessed with escaping (it's a bit like living in a house with children in the center of an amusement park) there is one popular solution. Outdoor cat enclosures are gaining popularity among indoor cat owners. They provide cats with the outdoor time they crave, in a safe way.
Of course, the choice is completely up to each owner. But new cat owners of any breed, may be wondering, "Should cats go outdoors?" or "Do I need to let my cats outside for their overall health or happiness?" The short answer is no. Experts agree that indoor cats can live happy, fulfilling lives, right in the house.
My personal experience tells me otherwise.
Had two cats die to coyotes. One was a white/deaf girl; the other a mean feisty tom. When we found their carcasses the the stomachs has been ripped open and eaten. The rest was left as waste....their internal organs gone. Gruesome carnage that.
I admit, I didn’t do an up-close autopsy. My attention was to my crying kids and making graves in the woods.
Cool. Got a picture of your cat?
Rag dolls are said to be great pets. The singer Dusty Springfield had a rag doll cat.
WOW, what a pretty cat; great tail!
My 18 year old cat was indoor outdoor. Skin cancer took him (he was white white). Now I have darker indoor outdoor cats.
It’s coyotes around here that feast on loose cats. They taught neighbors to keep pets inside.
Thanks. She’s about 7 months old in that picture. She’ll be 1 year December 3 and just hit 15 lbs. MC’s truly are gentle giants......
We looked at each other and at our mole-less lawn and smiled.
I wish I could have a cat, but I can’t at this time. When I do, someday, it/they’ll be indoor moggies,b/c of the coyotes. Learned my lesson.
Absolutely not. I want to protect my kitties from mean people, coyotes, and traffic.
Mice say yes, birds say no.
Sharing my home with animals doesn’t appeal to me. We always had cats OUTDOORS - kept the mice from coming INDOORS. I can, however, understand not letting a cat outdoors if you live in the city.
Stella is beautiful!
I didn’t know cats grew on trees! ;o)
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