Outside Cats
Fact Sheet
www.WorldAnimalFoundation.com
Every cat guardian must decide whether or not their cat will be allowed outside. Some people feel that keeping their cat exclusively indoors deprives them of a full life. However, subjecting a cat to the perils of outdoors to relieve human guilt is not in the best interest of the cat. Other people decide that it is easier and reduces odor to allow their cat to eliminate outside. The responsibility of cleaning a litterbox comes with cat companionship. This is something that should be realized before making a commitment to adopting a cat. Another argument is that cats allowed outside scratch furniture less. This argument puts the interest of furniture over the safety of the cat. There are very effective, humane ways of preventing cats from damaging furniture. Risking your cat’s life and health should not be a consideration.
The average life span of an outdoor cat is approximately a year and a half. The average life span of an indoor cat is 15 years or more. Dangers to cats allowed outside include being hit by a car, being killed by car fan belts, toxic plants, dogs and other predators, cruel people, diseases, poisoning, etc.
There are also many hidden dangers to cats allowed outdoors. Life-threatening dangers include:
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Diseases: Many of which there are no vaccines (Feline Aids),or the vaccines are not reliably effective (Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis).
Diseases: Many of which there are no vaccines (Feline Aids),or the vaccines are not reliably effective (Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis).■Heartworm. Cats can get heartworm through mosquito bites.
Heartworm. Cats can get heartworm through mosquito bites.■Antifreeze. Cats are drawn to its sweet taste is and a cat who has walked through a small pool of antifreeze and cleans its paws ingests a fatal dose.
Antifreeze. Cats are drawn to its sweet taste is and a cat who has walked through a small pool of antifreeze and cleans its paws ingests a fatal dose.■Skin cancer. Light colored cats (especially white) are at risk for skin cancer of the ears due to exposure to direct sunlight.
Skin cancer. Light colored cats (especially white) are at risk for skin cancer of the ears due to exposure to direct sunlight.■Hanging & choking. Cat collars which do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have killed many cats.
Hanging & choking. Cat collars which do not provide breakaway or stretch releases have killed many cats.■Fighting: Fighting among outdoor cats spreads diseases and can result in painful abscesses which require medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat). Unaltered male cats are prime candidates for such fighting and will impregnate unspayed females, contributing to the cat overpopulation crisis. Just because your cat is spayed/neutered doesn’t mean that others in the area are.
Fighting: Fighting among outdoor cats spreads diseases and can result in painful abscesses which require medical attention (an untreated abscess can kill a cat). Unaltered male cats are prime candidates for such fighting and will impregnate unspayed females, contributing to the cat overpopulation crisis. Just because your cat is spayed/neutered doesn’t mean that others in the area are.■Toxoplasmosis. A single celled organism that cats can ingest while eating prey that has been exposed. Not only can it kill a cat, it is contagious to people and can result in severe birth defects to human babies.
Toxoplasmosis. A single celled organism that cats can ingest while eating prey that has been exposed. Not only can it kill a cat, it is contagious to people and can result in severe birth defects to human babies.Another consideration is wildlife. Cats kill many birds, rabbits, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, reptiles, etc. each year. Most communities are not overrun by these animals and cats are not performing a service by killing them. Ferals and strays may have no choice but to supplement their diets by hunting. Cats with homes should and can be taught to satisfy this natural instinct with toys. Allowing a cat to kill for entertainment and excercise is inhumane.
Cats bury their feces. This is not something a responsible neighbor should allow to happen in other neighbors’ yard. Cat excrement is not an effective fertilizer and your neighbors will understandably not appreciate their gardens being destroyed. Cats do not observe property lines. A fence to a cat is something to climb on and jump over. Your cat is your responsibilty, not your communitie’s. You wouldn’t want your neighbors’ dogs or children coming into your yard without permission. Your neighbors may not have a problem shooting, trapping or poisoning your cat, and would have the legal right to do so.
Non-life threatening factors outdoor cats are exposed to can serve to make you and your cat miserable also. Fleas, ticks and mites will bite and infest both you and your companion animal. Exterminating these pests is expensive and time-consuming. Parasites can also carry life-threatening diseases. Ringworm can be contracted by a cat while digging in the dirt. This fungus is very contagious to humans.
There are many obvious benefits to keeping your cat indoors. They are healthier, safer and often more tame than cats allowed outdoors. Indoor cats are no lazier or less happy than outdoor cats. Provide a window perch and put out a bird feeder for entertainment. There is almost an unlimited amount of toys available for cats. A paper grocery bag or milk carton ring will also provide hours of entertainment for your feline friend.
An indoor/outdoor cat can easily be made a totally indoor cat with perseverance on your part. He/she may resent confinement for a short time, but will soon adjust. Cats can be leash trained to walk around the yard or even the neighborhood. This is the responsible method of taking a cat outdoors. Another option is a safe outdoor enclosure. It must be carefully constructed as you need to keep other animals out, as well as your cat in. Screen porches work well, too.
Many cats live their entire lives without ever setting foot on grass. The difference in their life expectancy as well as quality of life speaks for itself.
