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Letting Kitty Outdoors
**Only in a perfect world.**
In a perfect world, yes it would be nice to let our feline friends outside, however as we all know we do NOT live in a perfect world. While many cats enjoy being outside where they can hunt prey and explore their surroundings, it's a MYTH that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness. Playing regularly with yours cats easily satisfies their stalking instinct, keeps them stimulated, and provides the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. In fact, the indoor cat who gets lots of attention and playtime is likely happier than the indoor-outdoor cat who is generally ignored by it's human companions.
Before you make the decision to let your cat outside please read the following list of dangers that face it every time you let it outdoors. Remember we do NOT live in a perfect world.
** Cars kill countless outdoor cats every day. Not only do cars kill them, but many have lost their lives to antifreeze. The taste of antifreeze is irresistible to cats, as well as dogs. It doesn't take much for them to ingest to be a fatal dose.
** Diseases like Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodefiency Syndrome (FIV) are two diseases that cats spread to one another. Unaltered male cats are at particular risk because they tend to fight, and both diseases are spread by contact through the saliva. Female cats can sometimes contract these disease through mating, passing it on to her babies. If male cats are lucky enough to fight and not contract these diseases, they still can get injuries that cause infections and abscesses.
** Parasites like ticks, fleas, mites and worms are just waiting for your cat to come along. Trying to rid a house of flea infestation is not only time consuming, but costly.
** There are malicious people that intentionally poison, torture and/or kill cats, as well as other animals.
** Cats themselves can become prey to larger predators, like dogs, coyotes, raccoons, etc. They can get caught in traps set up for other animals. They can eat poison meant for other animals.
** Laws: If caught in someone's yard, your cat could be taken to an animal shelter. Without identification, the shelter may put the cat to sleep after a period of time. Some shelters can consider a cat feral and euthanize it immediately.
** Consider our wildlife. Most areas are not overrun with creatures like birds, rabbits, squirrels, etc, so cats are not performing a necessary service by killing them.
I can go on and on listing reasons NOT to let your cat outdoors, but you get my drift. My cats are totally happy with their scratching posts, window shelves, toys, love and attention.
If you really think your cat needs to go outside please consider an outdoor enclosure. Cat enclosures can be very simple or as elaborate as you wish. Here are some pictures of some.
Some cat owners have introduced their cats to a harness and leash. This not only lets your cat outside in a safe way, but it also allows for special time and attention with the person your cat loves most.
For those interested, below are some links to building and buying enclosures.
Building your own enclosures
Pre-built enclosures
More pre-built enclosures
Portable pet strollers
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