14/05/2021
For those who choose to let their cats roam their towns.. please read..... The Why Not's along with....... the My cat can't stay inside... my cat sprays... my cat goes crazy and it isn't fair to not let him/her out........ these excuses have been used for years... and let's face it... it is 2021.. not 1920. We are much smarter I would like to believe in 2021, we also understand much more when it comes to animals being left to their own devices, how they can catch anything from something extremely serious to a flea.
Disease Transmission Between Wild and Domestic Cats
•This is a common question and one which every cat owner must address. There is also not a single right answer. Most veterinarians do recommend keeping cats indoors only for many reasons (which we will discuss below). However, many owners also feel that the ability to go outside is important for their cat's quality of life. We will address both sides of the issue below, as well as offer some safer ways to allow your pet to go outside.
Why do most veterinarians recommend keeping cats exclusively indoors?
The simplest answer is: for their safety! Every veterinarian has seen countless cats with a myriad of injuries that they have acquired while roaming outside, from serious trauma due to being hit by a car or attacked by a dog, to abscesses from bites from other cats, to smaller wounds. We have seen cats shot with air pellet and BB guns, cats that have crawled into car engines to warm themselves and been injured by the motor, and cats that have fallen from heights, despite their great coordination and balance. In addition to trauma and injuries, outdoor cats are at increased risk for infectious diseases, parasites, and toxin ingestion, many of which can also be life threatening. Lastly, outdoor cats can kill native songbirds which, due to habitat destruction and competition from non-native species, are often already having trouble surviving.
Will my cat be bored and get fat if he doesn't go outside?
Many owners would argue that their cat enjoys a better and more interesting quality of life by roaming outside, or feel that their cat does not roam far from their home and is therefore unlikely to get injured or sick. For some cats this may be the case; there are many cats that are constantly attempting to escape to the outdoors, and who eagerly await the chance to go roam around and have some fun! It is often difficult and stressful to make an indoor/outdoor cat become indoor only. In these cases, it may be understandable to allow your cat outside. In general, though, most cats that have grown up indoors are perfectly content to remain inside. An owner can practice environmental enrichment even with indoor cats. For example, toys can be rotated on a daily or weekly basis so that your cat does not lose interest. In addition, carpeted cat trees and shelters of various configurations and sizes can also be rotated. Window hammocks allow pets to observe the outdoors without being exposed to danger. Cat nip is a fun diversion a few times a week. Lastly, having more than one cat allows your pet to be social and interactive, even when you're not at home.
Obesity is a common problem for many cats, especially indoor, sedentary cats. Encouraging play can help. Dietary manipulation is also needed, however, and less active cats should not be fed diets rich in carbohyrates. In fact, contrary to popular belief, canned food diets are in many ways less caloric and healthier for your cat, especially your indoor, less active cat. (see our separate blog entry for more information).
I still feel like I want to let my cat outside. What can I do to help keep him safe?
Properly vaccinating your cat for infectious disease is very important for cats that go outside and are, therefore, routinely exposed to viruses. Even if your cat does not stray far from home, the chances that he will encounter other cats periodically is high. Viruses, such as Feline Leukemia, as well as numerous upper respiratory viruses are extremely common in stray cat populations, and could easily infect your cat. Bi-annual worming should also be considered; possibly even more often if your cat routinely catches rodents, birds, or other wildlife. In addition to vaccination, your outdoor cat should preferably be tested annually for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS (FeLV/FIV test). Because Feline AIDS is commonly spread through bite wounds, it is recommended that any cat suffering a bite from another cat should be FeLV/FIV tested again about 3 months after the injury.
Using reflective, quick release collars with your cat's name and contact information is also recommended. A collar will allow your cat to quickly be identified as an owned animal, which will make it less likely for a well-meaning neighbour to start feeding your cat, eventually keeping your cat as their own. Micro chipping is another permanent means of identification that cannot be removed, torn off, or lost. It is optimal to use both these means of pet identification.
Injuries or signs of illness in an outdoor cat should be promptly evaluated by a veterinarian. Many times, damage due to toxin ingestion or other non-visible injuries have the best prognosis when treated early and aggressively.
What can I do to allow my cat outside, but keep him in a safe and confined area?
For those with the space and money available, there are commercial fully enclosed outdoor cat runs available that can allow your pet to be able to enjoy the fresh air while keeping him protected from other animals and preventing him or her from roaming. For some cats, tall privacy fences are enough to keep them confined, if the gates and bottom of the fence has been closely checked for escape routes. Some cats will adapt to being on leashes and harnesses, though many will strongly object. Lastly, many cats are good about staying near their owner, and in these cases the owner can simply accompany the cat outside, and pick them up and bring them back in when play time is over. Please note: It is usually cats that have been indoors only for a significant period of their life that are good at staying near their owners for protection, as they are naturally more wary of the great outdoors. Therefore, new kitten owners may want to consider keeping their kittens indoors exclusively for the first year, and only then slowly allowing them outside while accompanied by the owner.
Hopefully this has been a helpful discussion for you. Please feel free to contact River City Veterinary Hospital with any further questions you may have, whether it is advice on how to train your cat to accept a leash, what diet to choose, or what vaccines might be recommended specifically for your cat.
Source: Vetmeridian