Cat Safety

Indoor and outdoor cats

A common question people ask if if their cat should be allowed to roam outside. For various reasons, many people decide to keep their cats as indoor pets.

There are many risks outdoors that can shorten your cat’s life span. However, many cats really enjoy being outdoors and miss the stimulation of the natural world if they are kept inside all the time.

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There are several different ways that you can allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors without the risk. You can install perches on windowsills around the house so that your cat can sit at the window, watch the outdoors, and enjoy the sunlight. With patience, you can teach your cat to walk with a harness or leash (see “Walking the Cat”), and then you can take him outdoors for walks.

Another option is to build an outdoor enclosure (often called a cattery or catio) for your cat. You can search the Internet for “cat enclosures” or “catios” to find out what other people have done. For more info about providing safe outdoor time for cats, read "Catteries and Catios."

What else can I do to keep my cat safe and sound?

Some other responsibilities of taking care of a cat are:

Issues:

Cats Health Pet Health

Tags:

Cats

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Just a few short years ago, cats and dogs were killed in staggering numbers in this country simply because shelters didn't have the community support or the resources to save their lives. That number is now less that half a million per year, but there's still work to do to ensure a bright future for every dog and cat in America.

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