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Home Page
Caring For Your Kitten
Introducing A New Cat
Soiling & Spraying
Cat Litter & Training
Eating & Drinking
Cat Bonding
Cat Aggression
Timid Cats
Keeping Your Cat Safe
In or Out?
Playtime
Multi-Cat Households
Elderly Cats
Cat Ailments & Symptoms
Cat Care Tips, Advice & Products for the life of your Cat
Many people these days fear letting their cats outdoors. In my opinion they do miss out by being kept indoors. Please look at alternatives like fencing in your garden before coming to that decision. Cats have instincts and should be allowed to live life to the full. Should you choose to keep a cat indoors it is important to make adjustments to create a cat friendly home.
Keep Your Cat In At Night
Cat Safety: Many people still feel that it is in the cat's best interest to go out at night. A cat will sleep on average 16 hours out of every 24 hours - more when they are old. By putting your cat out at night they are more likely to be run over after dark and from a behavioural point of view you may be unwittingly causing it extreme stress. It has no "safe-haven" to get back to - i.e. your house, it will be cold and will be at risk from a number of feral cats that are out and about after dark. These feral cats do not have "homes" and are therefore extremely territorial. They will fight for their territory and food and are constantly on the look out for a female mate. They may carry diseases such as FIV FelV (Feline Aids Virus and Feline Leukaemia Virus).
Keep Your Cat In At Night
Cat Safety: Many people still feel that it is in the cat's best interest to go out at night. A cat will sleep on average 16 hours out of every 24 hours - more when they are old. By putting your cat out at night they are more likely to be run over after dark and from a behavioural point of view you may be unwittingly causing it extreme stress. It has no "safe-haven" to get back to - i.e. your house, it will be cold and will be at risk from a number of feral cats that are out and about after dark. These feral cats do not have "homes" and are therefore extremely territorial. They will fight for their territory and food and are constantly on the look out for a female mate. They may carry diseases such as FIV FelV (Feline Aids Virus and Feline Leukaemia Virus).
All advice given on this website is by expert cat owners. It is not in any way meant to be used in replacement to any vet or other professional advice. The owner takes no responsibility of any consequences due to any of the information held within the site.
Keeping your cat safe indoors and outdoors
Both these viruses attack the immune system and may be fatal. This is not a safe time for our domestic cats to be out and about as these feral cats will do whatever it takes to defend their territory. Your cat will merely be looking for somewhere warm and safe to sleep. Where will he find this on a freezing cold winter's night.
PLEASE - KEEP YOUR CAT IN AT NIGHT.
Collars
I personally do not like collars as I have a cat - Simon - who lost one of his front legs due to a collar injury. Despite my best efforts he not only lost his leg but also his owner as there was no identification on him.
Microchipping (carried out by your vet)
I cannot recommend this strongly enough. If your cat is due to be neutered or spayed then this can be done under sedation, however most cats only have a minor discomfort as the needle is inserted inbetween their should blades. The unique number is then traceable back to you. Most rescues and councils now have scanners so should your pet go missing you have some chance of being reunited.
PLEASE - KEEP YOUR CAT IN AT NIGHT.
Collars
I personally do not like collars as I have a cat - Simon - who lost one of his front legs due to a collar injury. Despite my best efforts he not only lost his leg but also his owner as there was no identification on him.
Microchipping (carried out by your vet)
I cannot recommend this strongly enough. If your cat is due to be neutered or spayed then this can be done under sedation, however most cats only have a minor discomfort as the needle is inserted inbetween their should blades. The unique number is then traceable back to you. Most rescues and councils now have scanners so should your pet go missing you have some chance of being reunited.