When considering whether you want to keep your cat indoors or still allow them free reign at night,
is a personal choice. If you have considered all the risks associated with allowing your cat
its night time constitution, and the impact it may have on your family if you were to suddenly lose your
beloved family member, then your decision will be the 'right' one for you.
Here are some great questions and answers that may help you make your informed choice.
+ How do you bring your cat inside, after it's spent many years being outside?
You can make your cats adjustment to inside life gradual, by keeping him inside for longer and longer periods, or you can choose to not let him outside again. To make the adjustment easier, give your cat plenty of attention, and play time, and allow him the ability to view the world from an inside window, or give him a window perch to sit on. Give your cat plenty of inside distractions from cat toys, scratching posts, or even tree posts. Your cat will adjust over time.
+ Is it natural for my cat to be inside all the time?
Cats today are very domesticated animals and don't require outside excursions to be happy and content. There are many dangers associated with your cat being outside from being seriously injured, run over by a car, or being involved in neighbourhood cat fights. Indoors your cat will receive plenty of stimulation from cat toys, scratching posts, or climbing tree posts. If you still want your cat to experience some life outdoors, you can consider a cat enclosure for outdoors.
+ I've always let my cat go outside? Where we live it's very safe.
With so many dangers associated with outdoor free roaming cats. For example, they are more likely to be hit by a car, truck, attacked by dogs, or even other cats, or wildlife, they may contract a fatal disease such as rabies, felilne distemper, or feline immunodeficiency virus, get lost, stolen or even poisoned.
Your outside cat can pick up fleas, worms and even ticks which can be passed onto the other member of your family, making your cat and your family possible sick.
+ My cat is old and doesn't hunt anymore. Shouldn't I still let her out?
Even though your cat is old, she is more likely to die sooner than later by being outdoors where your cat is more susceptible to feline disease and injuries associated with other cats, dogs or even wildlife. Keeping your old cat indoors wil be much safer and more comfortable, and your cat will probably live longer.
+ What diseases can I pick up from my cat being outdoors?
Rabies in one concern, as well as cat scratch fever, toxoplasmosis, and in the South Wes, plague. Parasites, such as fleas, ticks, roundworm, or hookworm can be passed to other people including other domesticated pets. Always keep your cat's vaccinations up to dat, and wash your hands after digging in your backgarden and when cleaning out your cat's llitter box. Keeping your cat indoors will certainly keep your cat healthier, and less prone to catching other diseases.
