In Canada, there are approximately 2.6 to 4.2 million free-roaming, owned cats (“outdoor cats”; 2020 data); however, the great outdoors is a dangerous place for your cat to be. It has been shown that indoor cats live longer than their outdoor counterparts (an average lifespan of 12 years versus 2 to 5 years, respectively).
What are some of the dangers your outdoor cat faces?
Other neighbourhood cats and dogs
Traffic
Disease & Parasites
Poisoning
Extreme weather
Theft
Abuse
Becoming lost
Predation by wildlife
Outdoor cats also cause issues such as:
Predation of wildlife
Defecation in gardens etc.
Marking of territory by urine spraying
Bothering your neighbours’ indoor cats
How can I keep my cat happy indoors?
Give your cat the ability to be a cat! Cats need to have the ability to climb, hide, jump, chase and pounce.
Give your cat safe, stimulating toys. Change them often to maintain novelty.
Give your cat objects and/or places to explore e.g. cardboard boxes or cat tunnels
Provide your cat with a tall scratching post(s) with perches, placed near a window.
Spend time with your cat. Indoor cats need at least 15 to 30 minutes of play, broken up into sessions of approximately 5 minutes each.
Feed multiple small meals throughout the day. Use food puzzles and/or treat dispensers to make feeding time more challenging.
There are some ways that your cat can enjoy the outdoors in safety, including:
Going for walks on a leash and harness
Having access to a "catio" - an enclosed outdoor space that keeps both your cat and the local wildlife safe
It can take time and patience to teach your outdoor cat to stay indoors; know that you are providing a safer environment and a longer life for your beloved furry family member.
References:
Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Alberta SPCA). Indoor vs. outdoor. Available Online. https://www.albertaspca.org/animal-care/companion-animals/cats/indoor-vs-outdoor/.
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA). 2021. Should I keep my cat indoors? Available Online. https://spca.bc.ca/faqs/indoor-cats-vs-outdoor-cats/.
Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI). 2021. 2020 Canadian pet population figures released. Available Online. https://www.cahi-icsa.ca/news/2020-canadian-pet-population-figures-released.
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). 2020. Free-roaming owned, abandoned, and feral cats – Position statement. Available Online. https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/free-roaming-owned-abandoned-feral-cats-ps.
Cook, E. 2018. Keeping cats safe. Available Online. https://ontariospca.ca/blog/keeping-cats-safe/.
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