Your cat will look for, and seize upon, any opportunity to escape. Do not let your cat push its luck too far, though. Plant cat grass (available from pet supply stores) in indoor pots so your feline can graze. Cats are innately curious, and prone to imitation. The outside world is where a cat can embrace its natural instincts. Keeping cats indoors removes access to these hazards. What’s more, it’s a chance to check up on you. Good fences = happy kitties Provide a screened porch for your cat to experience the outdoors safely. Buy a ready-made cat tree (often called a "kitty condo"), or make your own. Others may never have been trained on how to enter or leave the home this way. I'm Richard, the lead writer for Senior Cat Wellness. Expect to be scratched, clawed and hunted. A well cared for indoor cat will be provided with abundant food, warmth, protection and stimulation. If your cat stays inside, it will not meet other animals – domesticated or wild. Cats … To keep your cat safe in the yard, you could set up a play pen. If you're starting your cat's retraining during the winter, a warm, dry bed to snuggle in may be just the ticket to convince them to stay inside. An unspayed female that shows sudden interest in going outside usually has one explanation. and are at far less risk of contracting parasites and infectious diseases such as the feline immunodeficiency virus. A cat tree can be short, or may stretch from floor to ceiling. Take her to the veterinarian at least once every year for lifesaving vaccines, as well as parasite screening and treatment. Humans have been debating whether felines should remain indoors since cats were domesticated. Indoor cats are pampered pets, with their every need met. This can lead to wounded skin and diseases of the blood. These include: These are just some of the considerations that you’ll need to make. In addition, the hunting of birds is considered a significant problem. Equally, older cats are often arthritic. Get rid of the bird feeder, put a lid on the sandbox and keep tight fitting lids on the garbage cans. The cat may then flee, likely leaving the yard in the process and going missing. If this turns physical, bites and scratches are inevitable. If your cat does go outside while in heat, there will only be one outcome. A sandpit, for example, will give your cat an opportunity to dig. Some cats can even be harnessed and tied to a stationary object to enjoy the outdoors while you are gardening nearby (but be sure to never leave your cat alone while they are tethered). My best friend has 7 indoor cats and they are all just fine. A cat that previously roamed will struggle with a change in the status quo. Estrus is a challenging time for both feline and owner. When it's cold outside, help your kitty discover the great indoors, Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. The average lifespan of a domestic indoor cat is 17 years while outdoor cats statistically live less than five years. This will simply add to the feline overpopulation problem. With this in mind, spaying a cat that you have no intent to breed is advisable. Cats are actually safer indoors because they aren't running into other animals or diseases. It will also, theoretically, protect your cat from predators and wild animals. These include traffic accidents, contagious sickness, toxicity and intervention from humans with ill intent. If your neighbors are bird lovers, they may use tables and seed to attract avian visitors. Play with your cat each day. Oftentimes, threadworm infestations stem from water or soil that contain eggs. While cats enjoy toys, Behavioral Processes finds that many prefer human interaction and food. It can be particularly hard for cats to cope with living indoors if they have lots of energy, love to explore and have previously been allowed time outdoors. All being well, you will meet these needs in the home for an indoor cat. Your cat knows that you go out every day. This will not reduce hunting instinct, though. © 2020 The Humane Society of the United States Privacy Policy & Terms. Many owners also sleep better at night knowing their cat is home. Some cats are allergic to bee or wasp stings, for example. Forget what you may have heard – it is not, “cruel” to keep a cat inside. Sharing your home with a cat is a very rewarding experience. Many are struck by vehicles while crossing the road. In addition to hunting, cats are instinctively driven to climb, dig and claim territory. In addition, leave curtains or drapes open. More importantly, it will ensure your cat does not start eliminating outside the litter box. Cats are born hunters. In addition, indoor cats are less likely to develop worms. Fill this with litter rather than sand. Indoor cats do not get hit by cars. 2. Senior cats are actually less likely to be involved in a road traffic accident. As with all things, though, a balanced perspective is required. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390. There are a number of pros and cons involved in terms of cats being allowed outside versus cats being kept in the home. Reply STOP to opt out. As cats grow older, they are typically less robust. Richard earned his degree in journalism in 2008. The outside world is an endless source of fascination for indoor cats. If you do not want your cat to go outside, it is your choice. That includes access to multiple rooms, toys and puzzles, and exercise apparatus such as climbing trees. If your cat is female and unspayed, pregnant is a lifelong possibility. Try to eliminate the factors that are attracting cats in the first place. It may have lost its bearings and found itself stray. Indoor cats are at lower risk for injuries associated with the outdoor environment (cars, trains, dogs, predators, humans, etc.) The fewer hazards a cat faces, the likelier it is to prolong its lifespan. Every location you go to will leave scent reminders of unvisited – and thus potentially unclaimed – territory. It will keep cat away from plants and digging the soil out of boredom, and will also be a great distraction from the unwanted behavior as cats react better to praise rather than punishment. Another option is an enclosure that sits in a window frame (much like an air conditioning unit) and provides a secure space in which your kitty can hang out. You should still supervise this. A cat will not act like a dog on a leash. Do not let your cat grow dominant – that is a tough habit to break. This suggests that older cats understand the danger of traffic and moderate their behavior accordingly. Luckily, cats can find enjoyment from playing with almost anything. Cats have contributed to the extinction of 33 known species and continue to adversely impact a wide variety of other species, including those at risk of extinction. Potentially just as dangerous are stings and bites from insects. Jacque Lynn Shultz from the ASPCA notes that indoor-only cats live an average of 10-12 years, while outdoor-only cats survive only an average of 2 years. It also keeps local wildlife safe! If you let your cat roam, stand by this unless medically inadvisable. Feed your cat indoors. Consider your neighbors in this too, though. As per Veterinary Record, the likelihood decreases by 16% for every year of age. 2. Cats are governed by survival instinct. He is the proud owner of 5 adult cats (all adopted strays), including a senior cat who is now 20. Outdoor cats, meanwhile, can become grizzled veterans, learning how to survive over time. These cats are protected from traffic, disease and aggressive animals. It’s a simple equation. Under some circumstances, I accept that there are strong arguments for keeping cats indoors permanently. There are clear positives of keeping a cat inside permanently. Prevention – or, in this case, protection – is always better than cure. It will assume that it has a reason to be afraid of the outdoors. Get started by taking ABC's Cat's Indoors Pledge today. Manage this territorial instinct. Most of these repellents have strong odors disliked by feral cats. Indoor cats are less likely to struggle with parasite infestations, though. While few people shed tears over dead mice, eating rodents can be dangerous for cats. The use of repellents is also known to be effective in keeping stray cats away. As discussed, indoor cats typically live longer. There are certainly more benefits to this decision than drawbacks. It also prevents a cat hunting and killing birds. A Cat Enclosure to Keep an Indoor Cat From Escaping Cat enclosures can be a godsend to indoor cats. The cat may happen across a dangerous human food. This does not mean that felines always make the best decisions, though. While simple, this technique only works if you are home most of the time and can keep a personal eye on your plants. Install a perch indoors near a sunny window; padded perches can be purchased at many pet supply stores or through catalog retailers. Some cats are happy to be submissive, while others will fight back and…, If your cat kisses you on the lips, it is expressing significant affection. Lack of stimulation and exercise can lead to obesity and behavioral issues, including over grooming, over eating, picking on companion pets, and self-mutilation. 1. There are negatives to keeping cats at home. Keeping a cat indoors at all times removes this risk. It’s safer for all concerned to keep the cat inside. Some of the dangers that stray and feral cats remain, though. Even the most pampered indoor cat may face tragedy, such as an unexpected and unavoidable illness. The Journal of Zoology explains how cats reduced the sparrow population of an English village by 30%. You will need to combat this within the home. This is preferable to attempting to track down a lost cat and fearing the worst. For extra insurance, consider having your cat microchipped and keep your contact information with the microchip registry up to date. Applied Animal Behavior Science confirms this claim. If you live in a peaceful neighborhood in which you can walk without encountering loose dogs, consider buying a harness and training your cat to walk on a leash. You could also work to satisfy your cat’s wild instincts in the yard. Whether a cat should remain indoors depends on a range of factors. By keeping a cat inside, it is less likely to fall foul to aggressive insects. We also need to consider that cats can be aggressive and combative by nature. Prevention is the best first step. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to feline care, though. However, whether or not your cat is willing and able to put up with this is very much down to their individual personalities! Consider building or purchasing a "catio" or similar enclosure to allow your cat to get a taste of the outside without the risks. Others want to see them firsthand. This does not mean that felines are anti-social loners. What matters most is that you are consistent. Do not allow any anxiety to show. Road traffic accidents are arguably the biggest danger to roaming cats. My reasons for keeping my cats indoors is due to being traumatized from owning outdoor cats while growing up. If your cat is desperate to hunt, it can become frustrated by inability to do so. Be sure to keep your house full of exciting gifts for them, and spend as much time as you can keeping them company. Should remain indoors depends on a range of factors potentially just as dangerous are stings bites. 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