Why to Keep Your Cat Indoors
Keep your cat indoors and safe from preventable outdoor accidents!
1. Indoor Cats Typically Live Longer
It has been proven that cats who live their whole lives indoors will liveĀ years longer than a cat who lives solely outdoors. A cat that shares time indoors and outdoors will typically live a longer life than one who is solely outdoors but will stay face increased health and safety risks that can affect their lifespan.
2. Car Accidents
Even if you think your cat might be smart/careful enough to avoid cars, it just takes one mistake to potentially be a deadly accident. If your cat manages to survive a car accident, it will most likely have severe injuries. These injuries will most likely require surgery or other intensive procedures.
3. Cat Fights
Cats can be very territorial and solitary animals. Allowing your cat outdoors can lead them into getting disputes with other cats over their territory. Cat fights can lead to your cat being bitten and scratched. A bite can become infected, causing an abscess, which can be very painful for your cat. To treat these types of infections, your cat will most likely have to have surgery or antibiotics.
4. Exposure to Viral Infections and Parasites
Outdoor cats are much more likely to be exposed to viral infections and parasites. One of the leading causes of deaths for cats is this exposure. There are many infections that still do not have vaccines and there are no cures. Not only can these infections affect your cat but they can also make their way into your home and affect other members of your family.
5. Other Animals
An outdoor cat can be both predator and prey. Your cat may hunt down an animal and contract an infection from them. This could be dangerous to both your cat and to your family. There are many larger animals that can see your cat as prey. In south Florida, alligators, bobcats, hogs, dogs, and other wild animals pose a threat to your cat when they are outdoors. If attacked by a wild animal, it could be fatal to your cat.
6. Less Likely to Become Lost or Stolen
An indoor cat is a lot less likely to become lost or stolen. Someone in the neighborhood might see your cat outside consistently and be convinced that your cat is a stray. They might take your cat thinking they are saving it and never think to take it to a vet to see if it is microchipped or not. You might have thought you took precautions by keeping a collar on your cat, but the truth is that a collar can be broken or removed.
Ways to Keep Your Indoor Cat Content:
- Interactive Toys
- This can keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated.
- You can use toys like a laser pointer or a teaser to stimulate your cat’s hunting instinct.
- Scratching Posts
- These allow your cat a designated place to exercise their natural instinct to scratch.
- Bring the Outdoors In
- Provide and outdoor environment inside your home:
- Places to climb
- Perches
- Hiding places
- Cat grass
- Provide and outdoor environment inside your home: