Indoor/Outdoor
How to Provide the Best Environment for your Cat
The average life span of an indoor cat is longer than those allowed outside. Cats who live outdoors are vulnerable to injuries from fighting, poisoning, traffic accidents, contagious diseases and parasites, extreme weather, pet theft, animal cruelty and can fall prey to wild animals. Roaming cats also cause problems by digging in neighbours' gardens, marking territory by spraying and indiscriminately prey on songbirds and other wildlife.
However, cats kept indoors can suffer from depression, frustration and become lethargic if their environment does not provide enough stimulation. It is important to provide an indoor environment that promotes natural behaviours such as hiding, chasing, climbing, jumping and pouncing.
Here are some tips to keep your cat happy, healthy and safe indoors:
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Provide cat toys that are safe and stimulating such as feathery and furry toys that move and feel like small prey or toys filled with catnip (beware that catnip makes some cats aggressive or hyperactive.).
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Provide a scratching post with high perches.
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Spend time every day interacting with her. Play with toys, games of chase and peek-a-boo.
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Plant a pot of indoor greens for your cat to munch on such as cat grass, birdseed or alfalfa.
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Hide treats around the house and encourage her to find them.
You can purchase a remote door bell (at the hardware store). If you are handy you can change the "bell" sound to a "buzz" sound. Associate the sound with a treat by pressing the buzzer and giving a treat immediately. You can then hide it around the house with a treat. Once in a while press the buzzer and watch your cat go "hunting "for her treats. This is lots of fun for both you and your cat.
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Open screened windows to let fresh air in. Give her access to window ledges to sit on and look out at the world.
Access to outdoors
Should you wish to give your cat access to the outdoors, consider building a special cat enclosure or train your cat to a harness and leash. Whether inside or out, your cat should always have a collar and ID tag as well as a tattoo or microchip.
If you choose to let your cat out, here are some tips to help keep your cat safe.
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Train your cat to come back at a certain time every day by feeding her only then.
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Ensure your cat always has access to the inside of the house or a safe shelter near the house to escape other cats or dogs should one be chasing her.
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Train your cat to respond to a whistle by blowing the whistle every time you feed her or give her a treat. (Be careful as your cat may come running from across the street when she hears the whistle. You should not use it unless you know it is safe).
Caution *Think carefully before making a decision to have an outdoor cat. Once you let your cat out, you may find it difficult to change her habit should you change your mind.
Get to know the neighborhood and check that there are no obvious dangers. The cats most at risk of having a car accident are those that are nervous and get startled easily . Should they get spooked, they would run across a street without checking first. Adult cats that were previously kept indoors are also at high risk because they have not developed "street smarts."
If you let your cat out, make sure she wears a reflective collar and a bell so you can hear her when you are looking for her.