Animal Care Center & Pet Resort

800 Pulaski Highway

Joppa, MD 21085

Phone 410-676-2525 Fax 410-676-5151

To be outside or not to be outside...that is the question!

Some help in deciding whether to let your feline friend free.

It is a thought that a cat that is allowed to spend time outside is less likely to misbehave. They can scratch trees instead of your favorite chair, they can urinate in the grass rather than your floor, they can stalk mice instead of you and they don't become as bored. They are also exercising more when they can run outside. Indoor cats can become overweight due to excessive eating out of boredom.

BUT there are a lot of dangers out there in the yard and beyond. Here is a list of the Pros and Cons:

PROS

More exercise
Can scratch outside instead of inside furniture
Limits bathroom accidents
Less likely to stalk you and rough play
Less stress
Allows a cat to use it's natural instincts

CONS

Busy Roads/Traffic
Other animals such as fox, raccoon, a neighbors dog
Becoming lost
Fighting with other animals
Fleas/Ticks/Internal Parasites
Feline Leukemia/FIV/Rabies
Misc. injuries
Angry neighbors who don't appreciate cats in their yard, garden etc.,
Presents such as mice, chipmunks, birds being left for you on the porch or living room floor

If you still are unsure a simple solution would be to allow your cat to be outdoors mainly during the day and bring them in at night. Most wildlife that you need to worry about are mostly nocturnal. That doesn't eliminate most of the cons though. If you have a fenced yard that would keep your feline inside the walls, it may be your best bet. This will keep the kitty in and all other critters out.

Planning on keeping your cat outdoors to roam free? Then be sure the following are done to protect them the best you can:

Up to date on ALL vaccines. FVRCP, RABIES, FELUK, and regular STOOL checks.
SPAY or NEUTER before you let them go outside
Keep them on heartworm preventative, flea and tick preventative monthly
Ensure that they don't get hung up by their collar and get them a safety collar that can easily come off if caught on anything.
Inform/ask close neighbors about having your cat run free outdoors possibly in their yard.
Apply a small bell on your cat's collar to fore warn songbirds, chipmunks and other wildlife that the cat is on the prowl.
Get a reflective collar for your cat at night that is a bright color to identify it if out in the woods during hunting season.

Animal Care Center & Pet Resort is located at 800 Pulaski Highway Joppa, MD 21085 (410) 676-2525