When it really comes down to it, are you truly invested in your cat’s health and wellbeing? Many who allow their feline friends to roam the neighborhood, countryside or, worse, city may think they are giving their kitty the opportunity to exercise her instincts, get exercise and have fun. What if you were actually putting your cat in danger? One night she just may not make it back home.
Exercise, Or Safety?
Sure, your cat just may be getting exercise while out and about. She may be hunting small animals, chasing butterflies and saying hi to the neighbor’s cat in a friendly way. However, the reality is that she is running from danger, getting into toxic substances, and quite possibly fighting for her life every time you open that door.
No free roaming, unsupervised pet cat is safe when left to their own vices. Other animals, including wildlife such as coyotes and birds of prey quickly catch and kill pets as an easy meal. Loose or stray dogs and even other roaming house cats pose incredible danger and possibilities of maulings or even death through territorial disputes. Furthermore, if your kitty is declawed in any paw, she is far more likely to be a victim of a violent encounter with another animal as her ability to defender herself has been taken away. Her exercise comes from running to save her life!
Feral cats have become an epidemic in America. It’s rare to go to any town or city within the country without coming across a few stray or feral cats that have been born into homelessness. This problem, it is believed, grew to it’s current state because of free roaming pet and barn cats that were not spayed or neutered. Your intact cat is bringing more kitties into the world as she is allowed to mate with other roamers, and adding to the homeless feral cat problem. In turn, feral cats are incredibly territorial and will not shy away from attacking another animal, including your own pet, if it wondering into the wrong place at the wrong time. These encounters also pass disease from kitty to kitty. Do you want to take that chance?
Killer Traffic
Traffic is not just a human problem. It’s an animal problem, and it’s not just wildlife that is so often seen as road kill lying on the side of a highway or even small town road. Cats don’t look both ways before crossing. They may even get scared when a car comes towards them and dart in front of it as a way of escaping, only to find themselves tragically killed; a completely preventable problem simply by keeping your kitty safe indoors.
Country roads are no less likely to put your cat in danger than a city road. In fact, country roads may be even worse as they have little to no street lights allowing drivers to see any possible animals in the distance ahead. Speed limits are often significantly higher as well, making it not only more difficult to stop or move to avoid colliding with your roaming pet, but also increasing the likelihood of death after being hit by a car instead of just injured.
What’s It Worth?
Cats deserve to use their instincts and their graceful, agile and powerful bodies they were granted. This can be done within your own home, safe from dangerous animals, killer traffic and feral cats. In the home, a scratching post, plush toys, teaser toys and of course interaction with you can keep your pet healthy and happy. There are many new toys and gadgets being released into the pet market almost daily to keep feline friends entertained and exercised. It may not be quite as convenient as just opening a door, but it is far safer and can help you grow an unbreakable bond between you and your cat.
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