When we get a pet, we are getting a new family member that we have already created a bond with from the moment of adoption. Keeping your cat indoors can be a difficult decision, but one that can come with so many rewards. After all, with all their special needs provided indoors including their litter box, there is nothing they can get out of doors that is not already available to them.
Some of the advantages that you should consider when making this decision is, first of all, traffic. Would you even want to take the risk of finding your precious pet on the road due to being hit by a car? That would have to be devastating.
Think of all the things your cat could get into out there. They are such inquisitive creatures and look for every opportunity to check out anything, no matter how dangerous or poisonous it is. As hard as it may be to believe, some people put out poisonous substances on purpose to keep other animals away, putting your loving pet at risk. Some people can be very cruel, as well, intentionally.
If your pet cat is allowed to be outdoors, he may also encounter problems with other animals, getting into fights and again putting him in danger, as well as possibly picking up diseases such as feline leukemia that are very prevalent out there.
Cats are very fortunate pets as we can provide for them everything they could possibly want and need right in the safe comfort of home. They get their special nutritious meals, plenty of toys, their bed, play towers and other special play “gyms” they have for cats, and their own little “potty boxes”.
To keep a little of the outdoors brought indoors for your cat can be created with some of the greens provided at pet stores or some herbal green plants made available for them to chew on. If you happen to have a cat that had a taste of the great outdoors and you hopefully want to revert him, it can be done, with some patience. I am sure there was a time you had doubts, such as your child being in diapers forever. You conquered that challenge and you can conquer this one and retrain your outdoor cat to be a safe indoor pet for many years to come.
If going out occasionally is really important, how about taking your cat for a walk? Many cats do love it and those that don’t can learn to love it over time (just like training a new puppy on a leash). A harness would work better with the leash than a collar, however.
It has been proven that the indoor cats live a much longer, healthier, and happier life. An indoor cat can live up to an average of 18 – 20 years whereas the outdoor cats are lucky to survive out there for a good 4 years or so. Don’t you want your precious family member to be safe and with you for a very long time? As responsible pet owners who love our pets, let us do what is best for them.
