Letting the Cat Out...
Or Not
A Look at Indoor/Outdoor
Issues
Thanks
to the creation and marketing of cat litter since
the mid 1940s, more and more cats are staying in
-- becoming indoors-only pets, that is. As such,
cats are generally leading longer, healthier
lives. The average indoor cat lives to be ten to
twelve years old, and many of us know felines who
are older than twenty. Conversely, outdoor-only
cats survive for an average of two years in that
situation. Our homes offer a safer, healthier
environment than life on the street. Just think,
no ticks and fleas unless the family dog brings
them in; no tangling with rabid raccoons, aromatic
skunks or hungry coyotes, and no one-on-ones with
moving vehicles. There's no doubt about it --
indoors is safest!
Yet, when we choose to make our cats
indoors-only companions, we have a responsibility
to provide the stimulation that nature provides
automatically. Scratching and climbing posts
become pseudo-trees; interactive toys become
hunted birds, bugs and field mice. A rotating
array of cat playthings provides excitement,
variety and exercise.
Taking Them to the
Street
That said, many cat lovers still prefer to share
the Great Outdoors with their feline friends.
Happily, there are ways to minimize the risks.
While vaccinations are important to indoor cats,
they are essential to the health of cats allowed
outside. The soil of a garden or yard can harbor
diseases spread by stray, unvaccinated cats for
many months. And rabies has spread over much of
the country, transmitted mainly through
altercations with wildlife such as foxes, raccoons
and bats.
The safest ways to allow your cat to enjoy some
time outdoors is to either harness-train him or
her and go for walks together or to provide a
screened-in enclosure or fenced-in yard topped
with cat-proof netting.
Hold the Line
Harness training, like many things, is easiest
taught during kittenhood. But some adult cats can
acclimate to it. Choose a figure-8 or H-type
harness and make sure it fits well. (The fit is
right if you can barely get your finger between
the cat and the harness.) At first, put the
harness on for a few minutes at a time, preferably
just before mealtime or during play so that the
cat associates it with something positive. Repeat
this several times a day. When the cat begins to
ignore the harness, attach the leash and let him
or her drag it around for a few more short
sessions; stay nearby in case the leash catches on
something. The next step is to pick up the leash
and follow the cat around the house. This will
allow the cat to get used to a human following
behind, prior to providing gentle guidance with
the leash.
When your cat is comfortable taking light
direction, proceed to a quiet area outdoors. Keep
your first sessions short, frequent and upbeat;
little food rewards come in handy. If you are
leaving your property, keep your eyes peeled for
off-leash dogs, in-line skaters or bicyclists who
could put Tabby in danger or give her a scare.
Hey, Fence Me In!
Since outdoor enclosures can be homemade or
commercially constructed, they come in all shapes
and sizes. For durability, chain link, chicken
wire or wire mesh hardware cloth -- secured around
a simple wood frame -- is preferable to ordinary
window screening. Roofing is a necessity since
cats are exceptional climbers. The most
successful structures include climbing and resting
furniture inside. A shaded area complete with a
water bowl is required for warm or hot weather
usage.
Whether you choose an outdoor enclosure or add
cat-proof netting to the top of traditional
fencing, remember that they are best used only
when you are at home and outdoors with your cats
or able to check on them often. Pet theft only
takes a few moments, whether perpetrated by pesky
neighborhood kids or an organized group rounding
up animals to sell to research facilities. Don't
forget, a microchip, tattoo or ID tag is the very
thing to reunite you and your family feline if all
precautions fail.
Article courtesy: The American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Printed with permission.
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