Why Cats Should Stay Inside

By Shannon Hutcheson

Cats are some of the best pets imaginable. Far more independent than dogs, they still enjoy human company and are an endless source of entertainment and comfort. As a cat owner, one of the things you will definitely want to avoid is letting your cat go outside. It's a big, dangerous world for felines and there are many reasons why your cat should stay indoors where he will be safe and sound.

Here are just a few of the reasons why it's not safe for your cat to head out into the great outdoors.

1. Physical dangers. There are many things that can happen to an unsuspecting cat, especially one who has been indoors his entire life. Busy streets, larger animals, and other dangers make taking a stroll a potentially deadly adventure for your cat.

2. Parasites and insects. You can save yourself a fortune on vet fees by keeping your cat indoors. Even just a few minutes outside can result in ticks, fleas and intestinal parasites that can cause disease and require a visit to the vet, as well as expensive medications and treatments.

3. Responsibility. When you took your cat home with you, there was responsibility taken. Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years. They need their humans for comfort, food and security.

4. Disease. Sadly, there are a lot of nasty illnesses that could affect your cat. From feline AIDS to rabies, there are many, many things your cat could be infected with, simply by coming into contact with other animals outside. Some of these can be treated, of course, but not all of them are curable and most pet owners don't want to put their cat through the suffering of a debilitating disease.

5. Animal control. Even a cat who has owners can end up being picked up by animal control and taken in. This can happen for a number of reasons . . . perhaps the cat was lost or injured and someone rescued it and called animal control, or it might simply be a routine sweep for animals without ID collars.

6. Human problems. It can be dangerous not only to cats, but also to humans to let your cat out. When a cat dashes across the street in front of a car, the driver usually swerves to miss. This is a huge cause of car accidents, trying to avoid hitting an animal on the road.

But It's Natural!

Many people feel that cats, even pedigree cats, should really be allowed outside. It's the natural way of things, after all. But when that natural way means your cat faces death every time he steps out the door, it's your responsibility to keep him indoors and safe.

You wouldn't let your children play in traffic or leave your toddler to play alone outside, so why should your cat be left to his own devices. Cats are no longer able to care for themselves and protect themselves as they may have been thousands of years ago when they were still feral. These days, they need to be indoors, away from the perils and it is well worth it to protect your feline friends.

What may seem natural to some is simply dangerous. The fact that cats still hunt mice and stalk birds doesn't mean that they are capable of living in the wild successfully anymore. The hunting instinct remains intact, but the practical use of it does not.

The simple fact of the matter is that it's dangerous for your pedigreed cat to be outdoors. There are too many bad things that could happen and you would forever blame yourself. Why let your cats suffer? Keep them inside.

Shannon Hutcheson runs Cattery-Index.com, a cat breeder's community and resource site for cat breeders and cat fanciers around the world. When looking for information on cat breeder resources, visit Cattery Index Magazine online.