Cat, inside or outside the house?


You will have to decide from the beginning if you are going to keep your cat indoors or if you are going to allow them to move freely outside of it. The dangers for cats outside, apart from contracting infectious diseases like feline enteritis and pneumonia, are cars and large dogs. At Petlifey, we give you the best advice in this regard.


Why should my cat live indoors?

Due to the large numbers of dogs and vehicles that exist in highly populated urban areas, it is advisable for cats that inhabit them to live indoors regardless of the breed of cat.

Cats on farms, country estates, and farm estates can be allowed both to roam freely and to live with family. Since its main function is not that of a home pet.

But what about the cat that lives in a sparsely populated town or suburb? If there are important roads or streets near the house, it should not be let out. Also, if some of the neighbourhood dogs roam freely on the streets (which should not be allowed, but happens frequently) it is advisable that the town cat is kept indoors.

When the neighborhood is quiet, without too many cars or dogs, the cats can be allowed out. Although you must bear in mind that many times this can lead to problems with the neighbors.

Unless your cat is a buzzard who works on a farm, ranch or in the field, there seems to be no good reason to let it wander outside the home at will.

Perhaps the only reason that so many cats are free outside the house is that their owners are not as responsible in their care as they should and could be.


Why not let a cat go outside

There are several reasons against the habit of letting cats out of the house. In addition to the dangers posed by cars and dogs, there are others:

  • It is very easy to steal an attractive cat on the loose. As the custom of tattooing them to identify them has not yet become very widespread, stolen cats can easily be sold.
  • There is also the possibility that a roaming cat will be caught by the municipal animal patrol and taken to the depot.
  • Many people do not think it is good for a cat to dig in their gardens, disturb their own animals, or mark their houses with their urine. A shotgun or air rifle may be waiting for the cat’s next visit.
  • Some people put poison on their grounds to kill any animals that enter them. And, a wild cat can also be exposed to secondary poisoning if it eats a contaminated mouse or rat.
  • Asphalt on the streets is another danger for stray cats, especially during the summer. The cat that walks outside the house can become ill from exposure to irrigation systems, lime paints or insecticides.
  • Due to the large number of abandoned cats, it is not uncommon for a cat to return home with the marks of a fight or with serious injuries that can compromise its health.
  • Cats that go outside are more at risk of being contaminated with fleas and ticks, they may encounter a rabies animal and contract this disease, or they may have an unfortunate encounter with a porcupine or skunk.
  • You can be the victim of the heartless. Cat owners have always been disgusted by the actions of groups of young people who amuse themselves skinning, drowning or torturing cats in some other way.
  • Since cats tend to like to lie under parked cars, there is a high risk of injury if the owner starts and moves it.
  • If you have a cat in heat, you run the risk of her being mounted. So she can get pregnant and it may not be what you want at the moment or you can’t take care of the kittens.

Can living outside change a cat’s behaviour?

Although opinions on this vary, it can be said that if you live away from home most of the time you will not be as affectionate and affectionate a cat as one that lives indoors, because you will want to go roaming with your stray friends. One of the reasons for this could be the lack of frequent contact with people. This can also affect our own feelings about the cat.

It is probable that when the cat ages, its owner will not feel the same affection for the animal that he would feel if it had spent most of the preceding time with him. It could very well be that the owner didn’t care about their cat, in which case the last years of the feline’s life could be miserable.


Can I take my cat for a walk on a leash like a dog?

Some owners take their cats outdoors to bask in the sun and fresh air, but tie them up to limit them. Although at first it may seem like a good idea, this is extremely dangerous if there are dogs in the vicinity. A tied cat has no possible escape from a dog attack.

Even if there are no dogs in the vicinity, there is always the possibility that a tied cat could accidentally strangle itself if it is startled by something.

If you want to take your cat out to the street, we recommend that you use the existing cat carrier backpacks on the market. There are many models and they have secure “windows” and openings so that your pet can see outside at all times and breathe comfortably.


How can my cat enjoy the outdoors?

There is a safe method of keeping cats outdoors. It consists of the use of a corral, patio or enclosure in the open air. Like those used in kennels or residences for cats. In many places they are called “catios.”

These enclosures provide ample space for the cat to exercise and for healthy exposure to fresh air and sunlight. In addition, they protect the cat from unexpected visitors and prevent it from escaping into the streets.

Some enclosures are very elaborately built and include sectors for the animal to live throughout the year.

But, a hobbyist with normal skills can easily build a sturdy and appropriate enclosure in his garden. For short periods of time, it can be used as an exercise area for a cat, a portable kennel for a large dog.


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