Why don’t cats play poker in the jungle? Too many cheetahs.
What is a cat’s way of keeping law & order? Claw Enforcement.
What do you call the cat that was caught by the police? The purrpatrator.
If the corny jokes above weren’t a big enough clue, today we’re talking about cats! Did you know, according to American Veterinary Medical Association, back in 2012 there were over 74 million cats being reported as pets in the United States? Second only to dogs, cats are one of the most popular pets for families to bring in to the home.
If you’re a cat owner, chances are the thought “Is my cat bored inside? Maybe I should let him go outside once in a while – I bet he would like the fresh air!” may have crossed your mind. Well don’t open up the front door too fast! Keep reading below so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to allow your cat to explore the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest deterrents to allowing your cat to roam outside is that it can significantly shorten their life. Statistically, it is estimated that the average lifespan of a free-roaming cat is less than three years, compared to 12-15 years for the average indoor-only cat.
Some of the most common dangers to a cat living outdoors include:
- Vehicles – cats can dart into the street very quickly and unfortunately, do not always have the awareness of cars around them. And drivers cannot always react quickly enough to prevent hitting a cat.
- Predators – coyotes and raccoons are among some of the most serious potential predators to a cat.
- Diseases and Parasites – contact with other wild animals can result in the transmission of life threatening diseases. Also, the risk of fleas, ticks and intestinal worms increase in outdoor cats.
- Other cats – your cat could get in to a fight with another territorial cat and get bitten. Left untreated, this could result in the spread of disease or a painful abscess. Feline Leukemia Virus (FLK) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are true risks to outdoor cats and can be spread through bite wounds. Please click on the links to learn more!
It’s also important to remember that if your cat is in-tact (male or female), by letting them outdoors you are running the risk of them coming in contact with another in-tact cat and potentially contributing to the over-population issue. Please keep your in-tact animals inside!
The truth is, virtually everything your cat needs – exercise, a healthy diet, rest, and companionship – can all be found inside your home. There are many different ways you can make the indoors more appealing to your cat. Activity centers, treats and toys can all give your cat similar activities as to what they would have experienced outside. Having another pet in the house, another cat or even a dog, can provide them not only with a companion but also an opportunity for exercise.
If you do want to let your cat outside, there are a few ways you can safely do it. Leashes, cat strollers and even just letting them in your backyard with you following closely behind (in case they try to make a break for it!) are all safe options!
I hope this article has given you some helpful information to consider when making the decision of whether or not to let your cat leave the nest and go outside to explore.