Do you let your cat go outside? If so, you may want to reconsider your decision. While Fluffy may love rolling around in your flowerbeds or leaving paw prints on your car, your adventurous pet will actually be much better off living inside. Read on as a Southeast Denver, CO veterinarian lists some great reasons to keep your kitty indoors.
Safety Reasons
As soon as your furry little explorer sets those cute little paws outside the door, she’s exposed to many different hazards. Cars, predators, other kitties, weather, and chemicals are just a few things that can endanger kitties outdoors. Cats that are allowed to go outside are also at much greater risk of being lost, hurt, or injured.
Health Concerns
Your feline friend’s health is at risk if she goes outside. If your cat gets pesticides or other chemicals on her fur, she can ingest these harmful toxins when she grooms herself. This could make Fluffy very, very sick! Antifreeze is another serious danger, as it’s highly toxic to kitties, but has a taste they love. Kitties that go outdoors are also much more likely to pick up harmful parasites, like fleas, ticks, and worms.
Protect Local Wildlife
Does Fluffy like to hunt? If so, your adorable, innocent-looking furball may actually be endangering local wildlife. Long ago, kitties were prized for their hunting ability. In the past, Fluffy’s prowess at catching mice and other vermin scored her lots of food, praise, and cuddles. Nowadays, housecats don’t usually have to work to earn their keep, unless one considers napping work. However, it seems that some kitties never got that memo. Cats hunt so many small animals that they are actually considered a danger to already-declining bird populations. (Bonus: keeping your furry little sportsman indoors means you won’t find any more ‘gifts’ on your doorstep.)
Convincing The Furball
While living inside is definitely in Fluffy’s best interests, she may disagree, or even argue, with your choice. To keep your kitty purring, offer her lots of soft beds and fun toys, and play with her every day. We also recommend giving your furball a comfy window seat with a good view, so she can watch birds and squirrels and daydream about being a ferocious hunter.
Call us, your Southeast Denver, CO animal hospital, for all your feline pal’s veterinary care needs. We’re happy to help!
